'Are God's consolations not enough for you, words spoken gently to you?' Job 15:11
It's a natural expectation in every human being to want to be comforted when hurt.
A toddler falling and scraping her knee would expect a band-aid and a kiss from mom to be readily available.
A teen going through a first break-up, will look for words of comfort from a friend.
Going through a loss of a loved one, would welcome warm visits and encouraging words.
Yes, when there's pain in our hearts or in our body, we expect and welcome comfort.
Job, during the worst time of his life, after having lost everything, received the comforting words that his soul needed from his friends. He, however, rejected them with negative responses. 'I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all!' (Job 16:2)
One would say that he was being ungrateful, but perhaps in his deep pain, all Job longed for was healing and restoration, not words which did nothing to bring his health and children back.
Job just wanted God to stop his punishment towards him immediately. What he failed to see is that God had sent messengers to declare about the power and faithfulness that He alone posses.
Hurt can blind us from seeing God's mercies when things have gone south. It can deceive us from recognizing that God is always present and comforting us with gentle words. Afterall, comforting His childrens is one of God's specialties. Comforting our souls is where He shines, yet we cry out in bitterness, anger, and desperation. We cry out, whne we should instead silently wait to hear God's comforting words. They are lovely, uplifting, and full of hope. Most importantly, far from being rescued or taken out of trouble immediately, His voice while He carries us in His wings - is more than enough.
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your words of comfort that you give me each day. Through your Word, or through a friend, you are faithful to speak to me in my despair. Thank you because nothing else in this world could ever lift up my soul like you can. Speak to me so that I may know you are near.
Amen.
6/30/2011
6/28/2011
Your Father spitting on your face?
“The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” Numbers 12:14
The Torah, known as the books of the Law or the first five books of the bible, seem to be filled with do’s and don’ts given by The God of Israel, All Mighty Adonai. Before my twenties and somewhat into my twenties, I would become confused and puzzled by the punishments God commanded and performed on those who rebelled against Him. I was told to re-read any chapter that I did not understand over and over until I found its treasure.
The key verse comes out of a chapter that everyone can relate to. Lift up your hand if you have talked bad behind someone’s back or against them. I am positive everyone, fits that description. Some times when we are offended that others have bashed our name with gossip, we can find that we too have done the same.
In this chapter Adonai becomes furious with Miriam and Aaron for speaking against Moses. They are disturbed by the dark-skinned women he married and in verse two, we find them saying, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?”
God calls all three out of the tent; Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and punishes Miriam for speaking against her brother and leader. God sends leprosy as her punishment and commands them to confine her outside of the camp for seven days, after that she was able to be brought back. Commentaries say that only Miriam was punished because she instigated the gossip, she was the one who started to talk about the matter. Aaron pleads God to heal her and God grants him his request.
However, in verse 14, God say’s something very profound that should shake up and wake us all up. “The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” In the Old Testimate, it was a custom to spit on a person’s face as a gesture of disgust and shame. God was ashamed and disgusted at Miriam’s behavior. He was her Father and was ultimately saying that if an earthly father would spit on the face of His rebellious daughter, how much more He that He was her heavenly Father. So God gives her leprosy and makes her leave the camp and isolate herself for seven days. Do you think this sounds harsh? After all, I think we have said much worse things that what Miriam said. The truth is, God had chosen Miriam since a young age to work towards God’s purpose, remember her following the basket in the Nile River? Also, Miriam leads the women into an Israeli dance to celebrate God’s deliverance form Pharaoh and his soldiers. God must have been very proud of Miriam up until this point, up until she decided to use her tongue for malice and gossip.
If you find yourself gossiping today, remember that God your God does not take this lightly. Unfortunately it is the enemy’s favorite and most successful mechanism to get God’s children to indulge in. Break the chain today; especially if you are a female since we are known to gossip the most. Imagine God being so upset at us as that He is ashamed and disgusted by our foolish talk. Let’s ask God to forgive us as soon as possible and He will forgive and forget, something we lack to do most of the time.
The Torah, known as the books of the Law or the first five books of the bible, seem to be filled with do’s and don’ts given by The God of Israel, All Mighty Adonai. Before my twenties and somewhat into my twenties, I would become confused and puzzled by the punishments God commanded and performed on those who rebelled against Him. I was told to re-read any chapter that I did not understand over and over until I found its treasure.
The key verse comes out of a chapter that everyone can relate to. Lift up your hand if you have talked bad behind someone’s back or against them. I am positive everyone, fits that description. Some times when we are offended that others have bashed our name with gossip, we can find that we too have done the same.
In this chapter Adonai becomes furious with Miriam and Aaron for speaking against Moses. They are disturbed by the dark-skinned women he married and in verse two, we find them saying, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?”
God calls all three out of the tent; Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and punishes Miriam for speaking against her brother and leader. God sends leprosy as her punishment and commands them to confine her outside of the camp for seven days, after that she was able to be brought back. Commentaries say that only Miriam was punished because she instigated the gossip, she was the one who started to talk about the matter. Aaron pleads God to heal her and God grants him his request.
However, in verse 14, God say’s something very profound that should shake up and wake us all up. “The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” In the Old Testimate, it was a custom to spit on a person’s face as a gesture of disgust and shame. God was ashamed and disgusted at Miriam’s behavior. He was her Father and was ultimately saying that if an earthly father would spit on the face of His rebellious daughter, how much more He that He was her heavenly Father. So God gives her leprosy and makes her leave the camp and isolate herself for seven days. Do you think this sounds harsh? After all, I think we have said much worse things that what Miriam said. The truth is, God had chosen Miriam since a young age to work towards God’s purpose, remember her following the basket in the Nile River? Also, Miriam leads the women into an Israeli dance to celebrate God’s deliverance form Pharaoh and his soldiers. God must have been very proud of Miriam up until this point, up until she decided to use her tongue for malice and gossip.
If you find yourself gossiping today, remember that God your God does not take this lightly. Unfortunately it is the enemy’s favorite and most successful mechanism to get God’s children to indulge in. Break the chain today; especially if you are a female since we are known to gossip the most. Imagine God being so upset at us as that He is ashamed and disgusted by our foolish talk. Let’s ask God to forgive us as soon as possible and He will forgive and forget, something we lack to do most of the time.
6/25/2011
Catching a curveball
'What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean.' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' - Matthew 15:11
I'm not too much of a sports fan. There are so many terms to keep up with while watching a game to understand what really is going on. It would be so much easier in my mind, if it were just about getting the ball into the goal or basket, depending on what the sport is. I do realize, however, that the game then would have no excitement as it would just be a bunch of people chasing after a ball mindlessly resulting in the same "penalties" without any other rules to follow, or learn from.
It wasn't until a friend made a comment about life throwing her a "curveball", that I realized our life is much like a sport.
We fumble, tackle, strike-out sometimes, and attempt to score daily in the game of guarding our heart.
Although we do our best to dodge difficult circumstances and difficult people, they can sometimes come right at you faster than expected.
These "curveballs" that we may receive from life can affect how we begin to perceive and react to things.
A friend's sharp tongue may result in gossiping about him/her as well.
A streak of 'bad luck' may stir up negativity shunning away words of comfort from a friend.
A heated and unresolved argument in a marriage, may create a cold and distant relationship resulting in adultery or thoughts of.
An unforseen financial difficulty, may create jealousy in seeing others with financial stability.
The truth of the matter is, that unless we hide under a rock, we are going to encounter sour moments here and there. But as they enter our environment, we must be alert to guard our heart against emotions that do not please the Lord. It can reach our heart in a matter of minutes and once it does, it doesn't take much longer for the intial emotion to seep in and start growing.
Letting a negative thought or emotion linger is dangerous to our heart and soul. We pray daily for our protection and physical health, but we so often neglect our emotional and spiritual health.
Leaning on the Lord for this as well, will aide us in dodging not the situation, but the enemy's attempt in using a situation to poison our character and what we stand for in Christ. Let these 'curveballs' of life help us perceive them as an opportunity to show the character of humility, love, forgiveness, and
kindness that lies within God's heart. Be in constant prayer, so that we may be alert when one flies our way, so that our Deliverer may be the one to catch it for us as we victoriously make it 'safe' back home.
I'm not too much of a sports fan. There are so many terms to keep up with while watching a game to understand what really is going on. It would be so much easier in my mind, if it were just about getting the ball into the goal or basket, depending on what the sport is. I do realize, however, that the game then would have no excitement as it would just be a bunch of people chasing after a ball mindlessly resulting in the same "penalties" without any other rules to follow, or learn from.
It wasn't until a friend made a comment about life throwing her a "curveball", that I realized our life is much like a sport.
We fumble, tackle, strike-out sometimes, and attempt to score daily in the game of guarding our heart.
Although we do our best to dodge difficult circumstances and difficult people, they can sometimes come right at you faster than expected.
These "curveballs" that we may receive from life can affect how we begin to perceive and react to things.
A friend's sharp tongue may result in gossiping about him/her as well.
A streak of 'bad luck' may stir up negativity shunning away words of comfort from a friend.
A heated and unresolved argument in a marriage, may create a cold and distant relationship resulting in adultery or thoughts of.
An unforseen financial difficulty, may create jealousy in seeing others with financial stability.
The truth of the matter is, that unless we hide under a rock, we are going to encounter sour moments here and there. But as they enter our environment, we must be alert to guard our heart against emotions that do not please the Lord. It can reach our heart in a matter of minutes and once it does, it doesn't take much longer for the intial emotion to seep in and start growing.
Letting a negative thought or emotion linger is dangerous to our heart and soul. We pray daily for our protection and physical health, but we so often neglect our emotional and spiritual health.
Leaning on the Lord for this as well, will aide us in dodging not the situation, but the enemy's attempt in using a situation to poison our character and what we stand for in Christ. Let these 'curveballs' of life help us perceive them as an opportunity to show the character of humility, love, forgiveness, and
kindness that lies within God's heart. Be in constant prayer, so that we may be alert when one flies our way, so that our Deliverer may be the one to catch it for us as we victoriously make it 'safe' back home.
6/16/2011
Sheepherding At Its Best
'For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls' 1 Peter 2:25
So it is said that the attention span of children is not more than five minutes long, and I can attest to that. Especially when it comes to discipline.
After a punishment (most of the time), follows a discussion on why the choice made was incorrect and a plan on how to approach things better next time. Five minutes later...the same wrong choice was made.
I've thought at times, it would be easier to just tattoo the rules on their foreheads or their arms so my constant reminders would no longer be needed. But where would they be if I didn't fulfill my job as a mother to remind them constantly of wise choices. The thought of it, just saddens me, as I know many children have the misfortune of not having guidance.
I myself, would've had that misfortune, if my Heavenly Father had not given me the privilege of being one of His flock. I too, had the attention span of a child, returning to being a wayward daughter quite often. I knew of Him, but didn't know Him. I heard of Him, but didn't listen to His words. I, just like many, was a sheep that had gone astray.
My God, took the time for the millionth time, to go up to the highest mountain where I dangerously stood before a cliff, and gently rescued me and guided me back to where I needed to be. Today, because of His grace, I am able to recognize His gentle voice leading me back to the flock when my heart has the temptation to wander. His reminders of what pleases His heart are constant and gentle. My hope for my soul is in Him to continue being my Shepherd taking me to delightful places where I can graze with Him overseeing my life.
PRAYER
Lord, I am speechless of what You do for me. I will forever shout to the world how grateful I am, that your loving ways bring me back to you. My life is secure in Your plans, for they are for a future and a hope.
Amen
So it is said that the attention span of children is not more than five minutes long, and I can attest to that. Especially when it comes to discipline.
After a punishment (most of the time), follows a discussion on why the choice made was incorrect and a plan on how to approach things better next time. Five minutes later...the same wrong choice was made.
I've thought at times, it would be easier to just tattoo the rules on their foreheads or their arms so my constant reminders would no longer be needed. But where would they be if I didn't fulfill my job as a mother to remind them constantly of wise choices. The thought of it, just saddens me, as I know many children have the misfortune of not having guidance.
I myself, would've had that misfortune, if my Heavenly Father had not given me the privilege of being one of His flock. I too, had the attention span of a child, returning to being a wayward daughter quite often. I knew of Him, but didn't know Him. I heard of Him, but didn't listen to His words. I, just like many, was a sheep that had gone astray.
My God, took the time for the millionth time, to go up to the highest mountain where I dangerously stood before a cliff, and gently rescued me and guided me back to where I needed to be. Today, because of His grace, I am able to recognize His gentle voice leading me back to the flock when my heart has the temptation to wander. His reminders of what pleases His heart are constant and gentle. My hope for my soul is in Him to continue being my Shepherd taking me to delightful places where I can graze with Him overseeing my life.
PRAYER
Lord, I am speechless of what You do for me. I will forever shout to the world how grateful I am, that your loving ways bring me back to you. My life is secure in Your plans, for they are for a future and a hope.
Amen
6/14/2011
You got an F- !!
" The LORD your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ Yet, for all that, you did not believe the LORD your God..." deut 1:30-32
When the journey to our promised land is still in process and our giants have not yet been driven away, as humans we have a tendancy to become impatient and loose our trust in God's promises. But have you ever felt like a fool when the trial is over, God's promise has been fufilled and all you can think about is what a drama queen you were when you screamed, cried, and stomped your feet asking, "Why?" Looking back, did your timeline go something like the timeline below?
Year 1: "Trials make me strong"
Mine did. And I hated it. Well God was upset too. He was not concerned like, "Oswald Chambers" wrote in one of his devotionals, on the reward or ending, God is most concerned about the process. During the trial did we trust Him like Abraham or did we complain like the Israelites.
In the key verse above God is angry with the Israelites because He showed His power time and time again, however, they would always complain and wonder why they were not just left in Egypt as slaves. They unlike God, were concerned for their reward at the end of the trial, rather than the reward during the trial.
During the trial, the Israelites were blessed with the priveledge to have God guide them through their journey:
"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a column of smoke to lead them on their way. By night he went ahead of them in a column of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or by night." Ex 13:21
During the trial, the Israelite were blessed with provision:
"These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”’ Deut 2:7
During the trial, the Israleite were carried like a Father carries His child:
" and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” deut 1:31
God was there with them in bigger ways than just listening to their prayers. He was working, He was moving things around, He was providing, He was presenting Himself and He was carrying them. He does this for each of His children going through the storms of life. Our worries, anxieties, and fears blind us from seeing the beauty of the storm.
Why is it that when we watch a storm with lightning or tornadoes or huge, waves, through our TV sets or computers, we awe in amazement of the beauty of each bright, electrifying lighting in the middle of a pitch black sky, or the power of the waves with fishes floating by, or the great impressive tornadoes, tunneling around?
It is because you are watching from another view, from a view where there is no fear, from a view where you can see the beauty in the storm.
Our Father wants us to be dependent on His care, trusting His every move, even when the move seems scary.
Do not fail the test of faith. God will ask you to turn in your timeline once the test is over, and you do not want to have a timeline like mine. It needs to be trust all the way!
Father,
Forgive us for believing in our fears more than in You. Help us to push away our worries and jump in your arms, as you carry us through our wilderness. Amen
When the journey to our promised land is still in process and our giants have not yet been driven away, as humans we have a tendancy to become impatient and loose our trust in God's promises. But have you ever felt like a fool when the trial is over, God's promise has been fufilled and all you can think about is what a drama queen you were when you screamed, cried, and stomped your feet asking, "Why?" Looking back, did your timeline go something like the timeline below?
Year 1: "Trials make me strong"
Year 2: "I can do all things thru Chirst"
Year 3: (wah!) "Where are you?"
Year 4:(ahh!) "When God,When"
Year 5: "Geez,Finally!"
Mine did. And I hated it. Well God was upset too. He was not concerned like, "Oswald Chambers" wrote in one of his devotionals, on the reward or ending, God is most concerned about the process. During the trial did we trust Him like Abraham or did we complain like the Israelites.
In the key verse above God is angry with the Israelites because He showed His power time and time again, however, they would always complain and wonder why they were not just left in Egypt as slaves. They unlike God, were concerned for their reward at the end of the trial, rather than the reward during the trial.
During the trial, the Israelites were blessed with the priveledge to have God guide them through their journey:
"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a column of smoke to lead them on their way. By night he went ahead of them in a column of fire to give them light so that they could travel by day or by night." Ex 13:21
During the trial, the Israelite were blessed with provision:
"These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.”’ Deut 2:7
During the trial, the Israleite were carried like a Father carries His child:
" and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.” deut 1:31
God was there with them in bigger ways than just listening to their prayers. He was working, He was moving things around, He was providing, He was presenting Himself and He was carrying them. He does this for each of His children going through the storms of life. Our worries, anxieties, and fears blind us from seeing the beauty of the storm.
Why is it that when we watch a storm with lightning or tornadoes or huge, waves, through our TV sets or computers, we awe in amazement of the beauty of each bright, electrifying lighting in the middle of a pitch black sky, or the power of the waves with fishes floating by, or the great impressive tornadoes, tunneling around?
It is because you are watching from another view, from a view where there is no fear, from a view where you can see the beauty in the storm.
Our Father wants us to be dependent on His care, trusting His every move, even when the move seems scary.
Do not fail the test of faith. God will ask you to turn in your timeline once the test is over, and you do not want to have a timeline like mine. It needs to be trust all the way!
Father,
Forgive us for believing in our fears more than in You. Help us to push away our worries and jump in your arms, as you carry us through our wilderness. Amen
6/08/2011
Greatest Love Story
'But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved' Ephesians 2:4-5
During the past couple of weeks, we have been studying God's love towards humanity in our youth Bible study.
It seems like in the back of our mind, we are always aware of a God who is in heaven, but we sometimes fail to fully grasp who that God is. God is definitely many things including patient, merciful, gracious, rescuer. The list can go on and on, but at the end of the list if were to determine where all these characteristics derive from, we could very confidently understand that it is from His great love. God is passionate about us, I have come to understand.
Reading His word, which brings promises on end, proves to me He is real and He loved me and loves me still. Dwelling in this I yearn for the day, when He will return and fulfill His promise of love towards me and you.
Casting Crowns 'Glorious Day'
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed
Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
He took the nails for me!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again
Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day!
Glorious day!
Thank you Father for the way you love me!!
During the past couple of weeks, we have been studying God's love towards humanity in our youth Bible study.
It seems like in the back of our mind, we are always aware of a God who is in heaven, but we sometimes fail to fully grasp who that God is. God is definitely many things including patient, merciful, gracious, rescuer. The list can go on and on, but at the end of the list if were to determine where all these characteristics derive from, we could very confidently understand that it is from His great love. God is passionate about us, I have come to understand.
Reading His word, which brings promises on end, proves to me He is real and He loved me and loves me still. Dwelling in this I yearn for the day, when He will return and fulfill His promise of love towards me and you.
Casting Crowns 'Glorious Day'
One day when Heaven was filled with His praises
One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed
Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
He took the nails for me!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again
Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day!
Glorious day!
Thank you Father for the way you love me!!
6/02/2011
Protein for the Race
"Jesus said, 'People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.' Matthew 4:4
I'm a skimmer.
Discussing my son's reading grades along with a note from his teacher on his reading habits one afternoon, I lectured him on the importance on reading the material thoroughly and not just skimming it.
Later that night, ready for bed reading a devotional, it hit me - I'm a skimmer too.
I had to restart reading twice because some sentences didn't make sense, because instead of reading thoroughly my eyes skimmed the book missing the meaning.
While I'm on the road of confession, I will confess I have skimmed God's on occasion.
The outcome - hunger.
Skimming God's word is like an athlete training for a race without proper protein intake.
This life of ours is truly a race and a challenging one at that, where form and condition is a must.
Skimming through His word not only prevents us from truly fixing His word to our hearts, but also maintains us away from true intimate moments with the Lord.
Each and every word has been breathed by Him - the Almighty God.
As you savor every single word, discover the promises that He gives: hope for the hopeless, strenght for the weary, companionship for the lonely, grace to the sinner, and an everlasting covenant with those who hang on to His every word of truth.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your immense love that you would allow us the opportunity to have your Word within reach. It is full of promises and hope that you have enabled through your Son for us to attain. Let us remember the privilege it entails the next time that we pick up your Word.
Amen
I'm a skimmer.
Discussing my son's reading grades along with a note from his teacher on his reading habits one afternoon, I lectured him on the importance on reading the material thoroughly and not just skimming it.
Later that night, ready for bed reading a devotional, it hit me - I'm a skimmer too.
I had to restart reading twice because some sentences didn't make sense, because instead of reading thoroughly my eyes skimmed the book missing the meaning.
While I'm on the road of confession, I will confess I have skimmed God's on occasion.
The outcome - hunger.
Skimming God's word is like an athlete training for a race without proper protein intake.
This life of ours is truly a race and a challenging one at that, where form and condition is a must.
Skimming through His word not only prevents us from truly fixing His word to our hearts, but also maintains us away from true intimate moments with the Lord.
Each and every word has been breathed by Him - the Almighty God.
As you savor every single word, discover the promises that He gives: hope for the hopeless, strenght for the weary, companionship for the lonely, grace to the sinner, and an everlasting covenant with those who hang on to His every word of truth.
PRAYER
Father God, thank you for your immense love that you would allow us the opportunity to have your Word within reach. It is full of promises and hope that you have enabled through your Son for us to attain. Let us remember the privilege it entails the next time that we pick up your Word.
Amen
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