Psalm 105

"He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed like a river in the desert." Psalm 105:41

     What do you do when you have a big need and you don't know how it's going to come? What do you do when there is a huge obstacle in your way? Where do you turn when depression is lurking at your door because you don't know how your problems are ever going to get better?

     The Israelite's looked at the dessert, complained, Moses asked, and God provided...basically out of nothing. Out of a rock, water came forth, and not just a tiny stream or trickle. It was a river - a gush - enough to provide for a whole lot of people.

     What are you facing today? Who do you say that God is? Do you believe that He cares enough to provide?

     I have my own needs. I can relate. We all can. So, together, let's be encouraged to trust in the LORD with all we have. We can believe or not believe. Either way, God doesn't change. He said that He cares and can do anything. So...let's lay it before Him and let Him do what He wants: Provide for His children.

     "Father, Abba, I give you my life today and the lives of those reading this. I ask You for help. I ask You for the provisions needed. Help us trust You and say 'yes'. Help us wait on You. We declare that Your timing is perfect. You, God, are perfect."

Philippians 4

Pillar: 1. an upright shaft used as a building support, or standing alone, as for a monument 2. natural formation resembling such a construction 3. a person who is a chief supporter

"For see, today I have made you strong like a fortified city that cannot be captured, like an iron pillar or a bronze wall. You will stand against the whole land— the kings, officials, priests, and people of Judah." Jeremiah 1:18

"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light." Exodus 13:21

"If I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:15

"Each pillar was eighteen cubits high. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was three cubits high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its network, was similar." 2 Kings 25:17

I look out the window and

I see the clouds moving

The day is progressing

The LORD is moving

God's Kingdom is coming

The pressures of life have increased

Decisions need to be made

Time is ticking away

In my heart, the Holy Spirit assures me

Do NOT be anxious

STAND FIRM

Trust

Obey

Pray

Give thanks

STAND FIRM

Like a pillar

STAND FIRM IN FAITH

     "Stand firm in the Lord...The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus...put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you...I can do all this through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4

Psalm 113

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." 

Psalm 113

     Amazing, isn't it, that the sun has always been rising and setting - since the day God set it in motion. It was created for a purpose and it carries out the purpose everyday.

     The sun is reminding us of so many things: Beauty, God being our Maker, God being our Sustainer, Majesty. It says to us, "The day is done." It says, "Now is your time to rest."

     The sun setting brings our day to an end - each time is different - never has been nor will it ever be the same again. Every day is created a-new, with new ways in which events happen; every night finishes in a different, unique way.

     Above everything, no matter what they day has held, what has happened, happy or sad, God is to be praised.

     May God give us the grace to praise Him at this day's end, no matter what happens.

Lamentations 2

"Cry aloud before the Lord,

O walls of beautiful Jerusalem!

Let your tears flow like a river day and night.

Give yourselves no rest; give your eyes no relief.

Rise during the night and cry out.

Pour out your hearts like water to the Lord.

Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children.

In every street they are faint with hunger."

Lamentations 2

Lament = to express or feel sorrow or regret; to mourn.

     Should I fear grieving or mourning? Should I fear feeling sorrow. No. Why? From what I understand - and am beginning to understand more and more - God has it a part of His heart on a daily, constant basis. What does He mourn? People not knowing who He truly is. People not looking to Him for help when He has promised to be a Good Father. People going astray and following after destructive ways. People doing injustice to one another. People killing and stealing. People being jealous. People envying. Anything that does not line up with how God would have us live causes Him to mourn.

     God's mourning comes with rejoicing. It is possible to mourn and rejoice all at once. It is possible to have many emotions going on at once. God lives in that reality all the time. His rejoicing, while mourning, comes because of His Son, Jesus coming to rescue us from that which would kill us: Sin. Christ came to save us from an eternity separated from God's amazing Love - from Himself. Hallelujah! That can cause our hands to be raised - in praise and in extreme grief. 

     Many have said yes to receiving the greatest gift - salvation through Jesus Christ - but many have not. There-in lies the two-fold dynamic of grief and praise.

     Wherever you find yourself today, gentle reader, know that God's mercy and grace is new. His arm is never too short to save, His ear never too dull to listen, and His arms never too busy for Him to hold you.

Mark 10

"Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10

Ten Ways of a Child

Constant Longing

Seeking and Searching

Persistence

Asking

Unashamed

Quick to Forgive

Awe and Wonder for all God Made

Trusting

Unknown to the Ways of Worry and Doubt

Faithful and Hopeful

Matthew 7

     “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

     What does the narrow road look like? What does it feel like? How can you tell if you are walking on it or on the broad one?

     My take: If your flesh is crying out and lashing out because you are not satisfying it - then I think you are headed away from the broad road. Why? The narrow road is rough. The narrow road is less traveled. The narrow road is quieter.

     The broad road includes lots of noise. There are TONS of people traveling on it so why wouldn't it be noisy. As some say, "Busy isn't always better."

     Why is it harder to quiet ourselves down or simply stop ourselves in the midst of hard work? I think about Daniel who stopped his day three times so that he could pray. He literally pushed the "pause button" on his business and tasks and told it what was most important: God. The LORD was truly His LORD, and because He was not ashamed to call God his God, God was not ashamed to call Daniel his. God protected Daniel and gave him everything he needed - interpretations, protection from lions, wisdom.

      If you are having more time in the Word of God, meditating on His ways - less on things that gratify and satisfy the flesh - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time in prayer - less on the worries and cares of the world - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time praising and thanking the LORD - less on the proud fashions of the flesh - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road. If you are having more time concerned with what God cares about - widows, orphans, those needing deliverance, those needing help - justice and mercy - less about your small world, your selfish ways - then you are traveling more on the narrow road than the broad road.

     May God give us all eyes to see and ears to hear what He is saying in this hour. May God give us the grace to endure and overcome. May God give us the desire to travel on the narrow road - following hard after our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 1:18-20

“'Come now, let us settle the matter,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.'
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 1:18-20

     The miracle of the forgiveness of our sins is astonishing.

     The magnitude of the cleansing flow of Jesus Christ's blood ruins my pride.

     The majesty of the love of God, shown through His son...NOTHING COMPARES.

     Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

     All that remains to be done is to worship and praise the LORD with all that I am. All the days that I have breath, that is my highest aim. He is worthy of that; He is worthy of me - my heart.