What God Can Do With One

When he was but one I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him. Isaiah 51:2 (New American Standard Bible)

God took one solitary man by the name of Abraham and brought forth an entire nation. Like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashores the number of that nation is vast and innumerable. Jesus took one little boy’s lunch and fed over 5,000 people with it. One widow in the days of Elisha saw a jar of oil fill many containers. One widow in Elijah’s day saw a little oil and flour provide meals for her, her son, and Elijah for 3 years until a famine had ended.

What do these miraculous stories all have in common? God took people and objects far beyond their original capabilities. He was able to get more mileage out of each than what was formerly thought possible. When God touches a life, an event, a circumstance, or an object He has no limits. No boundaries. No inabilities.

I have heard it said that sin will take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and hold you longer than you want to stay. But God is able to operate in much the same way. God can take you further than you hoped to go, reward you more than you hoped to receive, and use you in more ways than you ever dreamed.

When He looks at us, He does not see just one individual. He sees potential, opportunities, and dreams. He did not stop multiplying and blessing when the Bible was completed. He still takes what we hold in our hands and goes beyond our own design and purpose.

One aspect of faith is believing God can do ANYTHING! When His hand touches a life the results are amazing. He still desires to be fully involved in our life. He still takes objects in His hands and multiplies what is there. Today I am challenged to see what God will take farther than I thought possible. He knows my personal fears and apprehensions even better than I do. He knows my intimate thoughts, dreams, and ambitions. He knows and yet none of that stops Him from working in and through me. He simply reminds me that His plans and purposes are higher than my own and His ability to carry them out extends beyond my ability to always see it. He daily invites me to trust Him and fix my eyes on Him rather than on the limitations, hindrances, and impossibilities that so often dance across the floor of my imagination. He will not give up on me and throw up His hands in exasperation. His investment and involvement in my life is never in vain.

Father, You are still able to do so much more than I can imagine. Fulfill your dreams for me. Amen.

Take My Life (And Let It Be) - Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Byp7aK2DA

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

He Is Not a Withholder

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11,12 (New King James Version)

A statement that Beth Moore once said is continually being brought home to me. She said the area that continues to trouble us and cause us distress is the very place we are distrusting God. I find there may be many areas I readily trust God in with abandon. No question mark lines the halls of those corridors. It is exclamation points galore! Yet I am in agreement with what she said regarding the areas of turmoil. When it is all said and done the bottom line really does come down to trust in God’s ability to take me through storms, trials, and difficulties, and to bring me out on the other side having experienced today’s passage.

I looked at today’s verses and God pinpointed the very phrase that was meant for my eyes and heart. NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD. There are many things I may want but whether I receive them or not, His word remains. Whether I experience a loss, rejection, or sorrow in no way is He withholding a good thing from me. He remains my sun and shield. He faithfully gives grace and glory. He is the author and finisher of my faith and although I may not always understand what He is doing I can stand in confidence that it is being done out of love with right motives and extraordinary purpose.

Any trial I may face only comes upon me when God knows that He has fully prepared me for it. I loved something else Beth Moore said along these lines. “The very area where you are most tempted to distrust God is the very place He has most chosen to trust you. Maybe all along He was saying, I knew you could. I know what’s in you. Because I am in you and I am your all surpassing power in a jar of clay. Watch me show off from the inside out.”

As I step into a new day it will be better for me to take my eyes off the people who might disappointment me and the circumstances that hurt me at the core, and look to see where God Himself is working in the deepest parts of me. He has many tools He uses to mold and shape me. He does not allow me to pick and choose which tools He will use. If He did that, I would never select the ones that would be the most beneficial. The trust comes in to play as I once again see Him as the potter and myself as the clay. He knows what He is doing and why He is doing it. I yield.

Father, be the One to consume me. Let my attention, passion, and heart be centered on You. Amen.

Be Still and Know That He is God - Steven Curtis Chapman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C01lLxEo3xM&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Triggers

The women sang as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands." Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and… Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on. 1 Samuel 18:7-9 (New American Standard Bible)

Saul’s anger erupted out of a heart filled with the need for prominence, not only in his kingdom but in the hearts and minds of his people. His anger led to suspicion and eventually attempted murder. But what was it that brought on his anger? What was the trigger that flipped his switch of negative, destructive emotions? Today’s verse reveals this time it was women who were praising David’s accomplishments above Saul’s. Unfortunately, Saul never conquered his jealousy or anger.

Last night, the Lord and I went on a hunt….a trigger hunt. My area of concern was not anger but rather negative perceptions about people. I knew those perceptions where wrong and they were robbing me of joy and enjoyment of significant relationships. I knew they stemmed from heart issues and wrong thinking. But the Lord wanted me to understand the necessity of seeing what triggered the thoughts. What was it that could take me from good moments to thinking the worst of another individual? What were my triggers? Within minutes the answer came. For me, the door to my perceptions is opened with the key of disappointment. God wanted me to see the pattern.

There are times I place expectations on people and when those expectations are not forth coming I experience disappointment. The disappointment triggers the negative perceptions which stirs up a sea of emotions in me. If not properly dealt with the result can range from withdrawal to out right anger. But the disappointment is two-fold. While I am disappointed in the unmet expectations, I am also disappointed in myself for having the expectations to start with. God is letting me know there is a better way to live.

First, place my expectations and hope in Him. People will never be able to give me all that I want, in the amount that I want it, and when I want it. They are not meant to. But when disappointment does mark my path it is imperative that I learn to identify the problem and take the unmet needs to God rather than allow perceptions to consume me. This is the formation of a spiritual muscle for me but it will only develop and grow as I exercise it. In order for that to take place, God will continue to allow me to experience the “triggers” in order to practice the truth He has revealed. As long as I cooperate with Him it will work and change will come. I lean on Him and learn from Him.

Father, freedom comes through acknowledgement, confession, and cooperation with You. Keep me coming back to You for the answers to all of my questions. Amen.

Set Me Free - Casting Crowns
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sio1WyIxGy4&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Without Warning

Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck. He had him ride in his second chariot; and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:42, 43 (New American Standard Bible)

Joseph’s life-changing promotion came without announcement or anticipation. There is no hint in Scripture that Joseph knew THAT morning that he would go from dwelling in a prison to being set over the land of Egypt. No idea that he would exchange prison clothes for a signet ring, fine linen garments, and a gold chain. No thought that he would go from walking prison corridors to riding in Pharaoh’s second chariot through the streets of Egypt. Sure he had being given vivid dreams as a youth, but he was unaware how those dreams would begin to transpire when he woke up THAT morning. Joseph had experienced promotions and demotions several times in his 13 years in Egypt but each was merely setting the stage for God’s grand design!

Bible character after Bible character experienced this same thing. God’s intervention in their particular situation often came without warning and yet when it came, events changed dramatically and quickly. Every healing, every deliverance, every advancement, every move, every supply, every successful battle, every miracle came on a day no one realized it would come. Oh the joy when they were witnesses to it all!

This morning I am looking back over my life and realizing the same is true for me. My own life changing moments came without warning but they were right on time in God’s sovereign plan. Sometimes it happens and I am not fully aware a change has taken place until I have walked a few days in the change. At other times I KNOW something has happened that will forever be life altering. This truth gives me hope when I face difficulties, see areas of personal bondage, long for change in my internal world. I stand in anticipation that on any given day I could wake up to a day that will include freedom and wholeness in areas that for now are still a part of my life. As long as I live on this earth, I have days ahead that will include God’s intervention in my life. So do you! I rejoice ahead of time in all that God still plans to do in each of our lives.

Father, this may be a day of continued learning and preparation or it may be a day of deliverance. Either way, I choose to take hold of Your hand and trust you! Amen.

In His Time - Maranatha Singers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGAGUNFVGsY

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

What He Sees

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. Proverbs 21:2 (New American Standard Bible)

The true test of any action is not what we think or see but rather what God considers. He goes beyond the surface of our behavior and examines the motives that are driving us to act. Whether it be our relationships with others, our performance at work, our carrying out of responsibilities, or our many multi tasking ventures, His litmus test is always our hearts. Our heart can mislead and deceive us but it can never escape God’s perfect examination.

Since God is the one who knows my heart, it is imperative that I continually go to Him and ask Him to reveal to me what He is seeing. Even with the best of intentions I can be prone to live with self deception if I am not seeking to know what is crystal clear to Him. There are questions I can take to Him and He will graciously answer them. Here are just a few: Why am I about to say that? Why am I taking on this new responsibility? Why am I going in this direction? What is driving me to do the things I am doing?

Along with questions I can also seek clear understanding. Show me where pride is present. Show me where I am seeking praise and applause. Show me where I am trying to derive value, meaning, and significance from relationships and situations. Show me where revenge, hurt, and anger may be involved.

Each of us wants to believe that our motives are pure and our actions are what they appear to be. Heart examination is painful at times because it exposes the truth that can be uncomfortable to admit. But the reason for such an exercise is not to bring shame or cause us to throw up our hands in resignation and defeat. The reason is so that God can begin to purify us and allow us to act out of the right motives. He desires us to align our hearts with His and bring forth actions that result from our relationship with Him.

There is much I can put my mind and hands to today. There are things I will say and tasks I will perform both in private as well as in the public arena of life. Ultimately it won’t be the opinions of myself or others that matter. It will be what God determines. I cannot hide or disguise any part of myself with Him. As my view of Him continues to be corrected, that brings about a sense of safety rather than dread. May I delight in the fact that His eye sees it all!

Father, open my eyes to the real me. Let me see what is behind every word and deed. Bring me to the heart of every matter. Amen.

Empty Me - Jeremy Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW4aCmI_uiw&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Coming Continually

Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3 (New King James Version)

God is not someone I have chance meetings with or include in my morning hours only. Relationship with Him must be daily….moment by moment. I pay a high price when it is not that way. Thinking I can meet with Him once in the day and then be sustained on that is like a person who thinks she can take in one good breath of air and live off that for the next 24 hours. Impossible! There is too much going on in my life to not run to Him on a continual basis.

Too often I have waded through issues, faced frustrations, fought off temptations, felt the effects of loneliness, and floundered with unmet needs without crying out to Him and asking for help. By the time I turned to Him I was warn out physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What I failed to realize was how “off” my timing was. At the first sign of struggle I needed to resort to Him. He longs to be a fortress for me. How exactly does that work? Let’s get practical.

I work in an education warehouse and spend a good part of my day repetitious work. My mind is continually dwelling on many things. As I am working and thinking I may be struck with a strong sense of sadness over something. It not only hits me emotionally but I can actually feel a physical manifestation of it. There is a pressure that arises in my chest….right in the center. If I don’t run to God with it I will be pulled down by it. So I have learned to go to Him IMMEDIATELY. My prayer might sound something like, “Father, I feel the sadness. Come fill the place of emptiness in me with Yourself. Let your joy be my strength. I need You.” That’s it! It is not long but it is effective! That which weighed heavy on my mind and was felt so profoundly in my chest leaves and in its place is a peace that is profound. Prayer does not have to be complicated to be powerful. I may use Scripture or I may just use the principles of Scripture. The point is, He hears me when I call and He answers every time.

At first, I was surprised that this worked so quickly. But the surprise has been replaced by anticipation and expectation. Today, there will be many times this will take place. I joy in the fact that I already know what I will do each and every time!

Father, I marvel at Your availability and power. There is no time limit or removal of the welcome mat. I gladly come to You continually! Amen.

Hungry (Falling on My Knees) - Darlene Zschech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYlpIdEyzX4&feature=related

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.

Emotionally Driven

Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. 1 Samuel 18:15 (New King James Version)

When Saul saw David’s popularity increase, jealousy ruled. When he saw David behave in wise ways, fear ruled. When he knew David was to be the next king of Israel, hatred ruled. My Bible notes refer to Saul as one having “schizophrenic behavior.” Those in close contact with him would have witnesses his highs and lows to a point of never being sure of what to expect from him. Today, we would say, “they walked on egg shells.”

We are not told if those who knew him best knew what set him off each time his emotions led him to act out in anger or why he was so determined to destroy David. As I read the accounts, I have to ask myself if Saul himself even knew the root of his actions and attitudes. I ponder whether or not he ever wanted to change. Did he lose sleep? Did he make resolves to “do better next time?” Did he realize he needed help? Or did he live with attitude of justification and declaration that what he was doing was okay? Did he have people in his life who ever tried to get him to see the truth about himself? When the first few episodes took place, did he see that he had a problem?

For any who experience mood swings and inconsistent behavior, it is easy to relate with Saul. As I read the accounts of his life in Scripture, I find myself knowing how it feels to be ruled by emotions and feelings. While I do not act out in the same way, I act out none the less! My default mode is usually sullenness and silence when I experience insecurity, jealousy, rejection, or disappointment. I am talkative by nature and love being part of conversations and laughter. But when I am hit with a downward pull, that all changes. Those who are around me are never sure what to do with me or to me. I am sure that prayers go up but along with that they must experience frustration, concern, and a sense of bewilderment.

As I think back to the most recent occurrence I know one thing….I do not want my life to end up like Saul’s did…..no change, no freedom, no true living. It won’t as long as I see and acknowledge the truth and continually seek God’s help and healing in my life. It requires being honest with God, others, and myself. It requires obedience in that which I know must be said and done. Some would say I am too hard on myself. I would say I am in need of change.

Father, the cycle is vicious and the times of failure daunting. Help me to walk in victory in those areas that have been filled with defeat thus far. Show me what to do and give me the grace and desire to do it. Amen.

Wonderful Merciful Savior - Selah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQzrqmcwg8o&feature=PlayList&p=2715BD1BF5489D23&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.