True Deliverance from Danger

 

True Deliverance from Danger

Exodus 14: Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn and camp before Pi Hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, opposite Baal Zephon; you shall camp before it by the sea. ³ For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are bewildered by the land; the wilderness has closed them in.’ ⁴ Then I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, so that he will pursue them; and I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.” And they did so.

 

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GOD was leading. HE told Moses where to camp and told him that HE was going to let Pharaoh pursue the children of Israel. GOD had the children of Israel move to a dead end that looked like Pharaoh would have a strategic advantage.

 

My Observations:

• The triune GOD led the children of Israel into a place that looked dangerous.
• GOD told Moses that HE was about to wipe out the Egyptians.
• Pharaoh let the people go, but wanted to bring the people back.

 

GOD seems to allow people to think they are in charge. This limiting belief hardens the heart, or solidifies a way of thinking that GOD is not necessary. GOD was setting Pharaoh up to be wiped out. GOD warned the children of Israel what HE was about to do.

 

I always believed that the children of Israel ended up at a bad place that GOD needed to provide rescue. This clearly shows that the camp at the Red Sea was part of GOD’s plan. I believe the same goes for the situation you are in. GOD has a victorious plan that.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS bold statement regarding Pharaoh?
• Are you in a situation that looks like your back is up against the wall and there seems to be no escape?
• Do you believe that GOD’s escape plan is to provide you with eagle’s wings so you can soar and your strength be renewed?

Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Taking Redemption of the Firstborn Seriously

Exodus 13: ¹¹ “And it shall be, when the Lord brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, ¹² that you shall set apart to the Lord all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the Lord’s. ¹³ But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. ¹⁴ So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say to him, ‘By strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the Lord killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ ¹⁶ It shall be as a sign on your hand and as frontlets between your eyes, for by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”

 

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Moses continues speaking to the people in preparation to leave Egypt. He reiterates what GOD told him about the firstborn male. But this time he mentions redemption.

 

My Observations:

• Moses tells a group of slave-minded people that they are to remember how GOD was restoring them.
• Moses attempted to tell slave-minded people about Pharaoh’s stubbornness.
• Moses spoke figuratively about the sacrifice of the firstborn being a sign to be worn on their hands and on their foreheads.

 

GOD’s firstborn is JESUS. HIS sacrifice redeemed all of mankind who believe in HIM. This was the announcement of restoration for mankind. Unfortunately, the Pharisees would take the act of wearing scriptures on their arms and foreheads as a sign of how holy they were. They may have screamed, “Hey, look at how holy I am” by wearing the law as they judged the people harshly.

 

Satan and the beast also will twist what Moses said. In Revelation, they force people to wear the mark of the beast on their hand and forehead, marking humans as theirs. GOD sees through the false acts of holiness and the attempts to steal humans away from HIM. Redemption means everything to GOD. HE wants to restore HIS humans to live in harmony with them. GOD’s redemption must be remembered not only in ceremony, but in truth and spirit.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses that he emphasized redemption annually?
• Are you looking to feel restored when GOD told you that you are restored?
• Who have you told about your being restored by GOD?

Strength Through Adversity

 

Strength Through Adversity

Genesis 21: ¹⁴ So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. ¹⁵ And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. ¹⁶ Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.

 

¹⁷ And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. ¹⁸ Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation.”

¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink. ²⁰ So God was with the lad; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. ²¹ He dwelt in the Wilderness of Paran; and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD promised Sarah that HE would return in one year and that she would have a child. She did. But this caused a change in her plan. She had Abraham have a child with Hagar, but now that she had the child that GOD promised, she wanted Harag and Ishmael to leave. Abraham was now placed in the middle of a mess.

 

He gave Hagar and Ishmael all the water they could carry and some bread. She wandered in the wilderness and eventually gave up. JESUS showed up and helped them out.

 

My Observations:

• Hagar was given next to nothing and was expected to survive.
• Ishmael had nothing and was told that he would become a great nation.
• JESUS appeared and did not give them money, shelter or people.

 

Hagar’s life seemed strange. She was an Egyptian slave who was given to Abraham as a commodity, because Pharoah almost took Sarah as his wife. Sarah was given Hagar by Abraham. Hagar had a child by Abraham based upon Sarah’s demands. GOD heard Hagar when she was sent away the first time and heard her again this time.

 

JESUS showed them a well that just happened to be there. I believe HE put that there, but the passage doesn’t say it. She got water, but what about food? JESUS stayed with them, teaching Ismael. Eventually Hagar made it back to Egypt and got a slave wife for Ismael. He grew despite the odds.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD didn’t intervene by placing Ismael in a palace like in the movies with a genie?
• Have you ever thought GOD should be making your life easier?
• Is your adversity strengthening you for the greatness GOD has in store for you?

Weak and Overlooked

Weak and Overlooked

Revelation 19: ¹⁷ Then I saw an angel standing on the sun. He shouted in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair: “Come and gather together for God's great feast! ¹⁸ Come and eat the flesh of kings, generals, and soldiers, the flesh of horses and their riders, the flesh of all people, slave and free, great and small!”

 

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Trying to figure out how to see the boss of an area I wanted to get in, I thought of ways to “accidentally” run into the person. I lurked around to understand times for lunch and breaks, but nothing worked. The administrative assistant said, “You have to come through me.” “Nah, that can’t be the answer” I said to myself.

 

• I overlooked the administrative assistant’s position.
• I did not think the administrative assistant had power over my circumstance.
• I did not see it coming that the administrative assistant was watching me.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw an angel standing on something as powerful as the sun. He shouted in a loud voice, commanding one of the weakest creatures to eat strong and powerful people. Not just powerful eagles, but hummingbirds would be at the disposal of the Living GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is so powerful, that HE can use something weak to do something strong.
• GOD is so mighty, that HE can overtake those who think they are powerful.
• GOD is omnipotent, that HE can choose which way HE will overthrow HIS enemy and use what people would label as weak to do something powerful.

 

Weak things are overlooked. I mean, things like prayer, belief, trusting and fasting are viewed by humans as last resort items versus the starting point to strength. When things get bad, GOD is turned to, temporarily until the storm is over, then we turn back to our old ways. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

HE can use birds against an army of people equipped with the latest technology, to fight and conquer them. HE can also see you, who thinks of frailties and faults as obstacles, but HE sees you as the answer to HIS problem, namely reaching the lost. I am glad GOD trusts you and me even though we are weak.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention the angel was standing on the sun?
• Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed, thinking you cannot possibly overcome the difficulties you are facing?
• Will you look to GOD, who has all power, and believe HE is fighting the battles you are facing today?

Understanding and Endurance

 

Understanding and Endurance

2 Thessalonians 3: ³ But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and keep you safe from the Evil One. ⁴ And the Lord gives us confidence in you, and we are sure that you are doing and will continue to do what we tell you.

 

⁵ May the Lord lead you into a greater understanding of God's love and the endurance that is given by Christ.

 

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“Oh no not this exercise” was my first thought. Being on the track team, we had to warm up with the basketball team by running the length of the basketball court and touching the floor on each side. This meant practice was going to be longer that day.

 

• I wondered why we had to go through all of those exercises.
• I could barely finish on the first day, but did better the next time.
• I did not have much endurance in the beginning, but over time it grew.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy provide some encouraging words for those who felt like giving up. People may have questioned if what they were doing was right in the eyes of the LORD. Attack after attack from the Evil One may have made them weary. BUT GOD kept them safe and provided strength.

 

My Observations

• Life’s trials are difficult, BUT GOD is faithful to me and gives me strength.
• Attacks from the Evil One may happen, BUT GOD is faithful to keep me safe from those attacks.
• Confusion, disappointments and pain may come, BUT GOD is faithful to give me greater understanding of HIS love and endurance to keep going.

 

Let me be honest, I do not like trials. I mean, it seems like peace comes in tiny waves, while trials come in larger torrents!  I may even cry out “GOD where are YOU!?” and seem to get no answer. BUT HE is there.

 

HE opens my eyes to the many times HE has pulled me out of troubled waters and placed me besides still waters. HE restores my soul. HE reminds me that HIS love endures forever! I am glad GOD is faithful to keep strengthening me and keeping me safe from the attacks of the Evil One.

 

Challenge

• What strength do the writers speak of?
• Have you ever felt weak or felt like giving up?
• Will you seek more understanding of GOD’s love for you so you can be strengthened to endure life’s challenges today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please strengthen this reader and keep him or her safe from the attacks of the Evil One. Please lead us into a greater understanding of YOUR love and give us similar endurance CHRIST had as HE approached death on the cross to provide us life everlasting through HIS resurrection. amen

Prayer for Your Strength

Prayer for Your Strength

Colossians 1: ^11-12 May you be made strong with all the strength which comes from his glorious power, so that you may be able to endure everything with patience. And with joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. 

 

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Weakness has been a lifelong problem with me. From bullies who physically taunted me to falling for temptation to acquiescing to fear, it seemed like I had no strength to fight off foes I was supposed to.be able to withstand.

 

• I felt weak.
• I wondered “Why does GOD let people get away with things?”
• I complained “Why do YOU allow attacks, hurt and pain?”

 

Paul knew many people would question their suffering and pain. Because of his relationship with CHRIST, he was able to do amazing things, but he also had to suffer great pain. Knowing the pain he went through, he said a small prayer for those who follow GOD and are persecuted for it.

 

My Observations

• When I am weak, GOD is strong.
• Placing everything in GOD’s hands makes me strong.
• Seeking GOD’s protection helps me to let go of things that make me worry.

 

Too much ownership makes me worry which in turn causes me to take action “my” way. I mean, when I look at the thing that is in front of me, am I frustrated, or wanting “my” way or filled with fear? The answer has been “all \of the above.” BUT GOD has a remedy, “Give it to ME.”

 

No decision is too large or small for GOD. HE can withstand my sin and provide grace when I fall. HE gives me patience to not run away from difficulties and joy to endure hardship which brings thanks instead of complaints. I am thankful GOD is willing to share what HE has reserved for HIS people in the kingdom of light with me.

 

Challenge

• What strength does the writer suggest?
• Have you ever felt weak?
• Will you let go of your decisions and allow GOD to guide you so you can endure “everything with patience?”

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, please bless this reader with strength that comes from YOU. Bless this reader with endurance, patience, joy and thankfulness that YOU have made us share in YOUR kingdom of light. amen

Called to Hope

Called to Hope

Ephesians 1: ¹⁸ I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people, ¹⁹ and how very great is his power at work in us who believe. This power working in us is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ which he used when he raised Christ from death and seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. 

 

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Needing cash, I thought of a plan. I would buy a lottery ticket, win and all my troubles would be over. I bought one ticket and waited for the weekly numbers to be announced. All of the numbers I selected were either one number higher or lower than the chosen. What are the odds?

 

• I had lost hope and wanted a quick fix.
• I prayed over the lottery ticket and did not win.
• I was reminded that my hope should be greater than money.

 

Paul writes a request to the LORD on behalf of the people . He wants everyone to have their mind opened by the HOLY SPIRIT to be enlightened to the “hope” GOD has called us to.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s hope is far greater than me being rich and powerful.
• Spreading GOD’s hope is valuable to HIM.
• Believing in JESUS gives me access to the same power that raised HIM from the dead.

 

Hope can be fleeting when placed in money, jobs, people or something other than GOD. I mean, even when I get money or a job or a group of people, all of these things change and sometimes have issues. BUT GOD is still there.

 

GOD is far greater than coping or getting a few dollars. HE has promises that can never be taken away. HIS power is unmatched and blessings are rich. HE opens the eyes to those who believe, so they may see HIS light and hope HE has called them to. I am grateful for HIS power and place my hope in HIM.

 

Challenge

• What things is the writer asking for?
• Have you ever lost your hope?
• Will you know that it is alright to acknowledge how hurt you have been and ask GOD to open your eyes to HIS rich and wonderful blessings for you that are far greater than anything the world has to offer?

Personal Fuel

Luke 5 : ⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”

⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

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“There is no way I can accomplish that” I said to myself. I looked at my resources and assessed my intellectual prowess and concluded the task at hand was too large for me. “Can you do it?” was the questioned posed to me again. Sadly I said “No.”

There were times when I thought “I” was in control.

There were times when I depended on “my” knowledge.

There were times when I believed in “my” strength.

Simon (Peter) was told to go fish after unsuccessfully fishing all night. He was a professional fisherman who probably had caught many fish and knew when he was not going to have a good day. JESUS knew something different.

GOD tells me to believe the unbelievable.

GOD tells me to have faith in HIM rather than what I see.

GOD tells me to trust in HIS power rather than thinking “I” have all the answers.

Having faith in GOD means letting go of “my” power. If I believe in “me” and “my” abilities, then I may not have room for GOD to take care of the situation. Only when I toil to the point of exhaustion, do I call on GOD. HE wants me to add HIM first when I make my plans. I get my fuel from GOD.

Are you exhausted?

Do you think you need to fix everything?

Can you let GOD handle your situation and give you strength to do what HE wants you to do today?

Know the Power

Matthew 22: ²³ That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. ²⁴ “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. ²⁵ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. ²⁶ The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. ²⁷ Finally, the woman died. ²⁸ Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

²⁹ Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. ³⁰ At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. ³¹ But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, ³² ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

³³ When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.

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Rain poured down in sheets but I kept going. Visibility was low but I could still see. I hit a puddle and the car went into a skid on an expressway loaded with cars and trucks. When the car came to a stop I was blocking two of three lanes because I was sideways. I turned the car straight and kept going.

• Some days I need the power of GOD.
• Some days I face some serious trouble.
• Some days I need something miraculous to happen.

Protection is only a tiny part of GOD’s amazing power. Unfortunately the Sadducees read the scripture and listened only to what they wanted to hear. They tried to trap JESUS instead of being amazed at HIS true power.

• GOD wants me to know the scriptures.
• GOD wants me to know the power.
• GOD wants me to know the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT as the only source of power.

Doubt comes from lack of belief or knowledge of GOD’s amazing power. It leads to questioning GOD in weird ways, like the Sadducees. BUT GOD has the power to overcome my doubt. HE steps in when I am in need and shows HIS might. GOD is truly amazing!

• Do you doubt GOD’s power?
• Do you think GOD is a distant concept?
• Can you stop looking at things from human eyes and search the scripture to learn of GOD’s amazing power?

Standing Strong

Matthew 7: ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

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Watching my car get towed away was the “last straw.” I no longer had transportation, I no longer had money and I had plenty of bills. I simply wanted to just sit in a corner away from everyone!

• There have been some rough times when I just wanted to give up.
• There have been some difficult times when I felt like nothing was going right.
• There have been some extreme times when it seemed like I had no help and “everything” was crashing to the ground.

Years later I took a leadership course giving me several habits to believe in “me.” Up to this point I had already relied on my intuition so this course was a natural fit. When I completed the course I still felt empty. What happens when a problem occurs that is much larger than the power of “me?” GOD had an answer.

• GOD says to me “Listen to MY words and put them into action.”
• GOD says to me “Build your fortitude on MY promises to protect you.”
• GOD says to me “When you place your trust in ME you will not fall.”

Slowly I stopped depending on my wit and started placing more trust in GOD. I began walking down the scary road of not always needing to know what the future had to hold. When the difficult times came I began to ask GOD how HE wanted to handle the situation rather than springing into action.

Prayer began to pop into my head as the answer rather than the question. GOD is a firm foundation for which I place my trust!

• Are you being blown around by life?
• Do you feel like you have reached your wits end?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you stop relying on your own power and start looking at GOD for your answers?

Much Needed Strength

Zechariah 10: ⁶ “I will strengthen Judah
    and save the tribes of Joseph.
I will restore them
    because I have compassion on them.
They will be as though
    I had not rejected them,
for I am the Lord their God
    and I will answer them.

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¹² I will strengthen them in the Lord
    and in his name they will live securely,”
declares the Lord.

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“I can’t do this” were the words I said as I threw another gutter. This was my first time bowling and everyone else seemed to get it right. I scored a “twelve” which is very far from the perfect game of three hundred. It got so bad that people stopped laughing because of my struggle.

• There were times in my life when I felt like giving up.
• There were times in my life when I felt like throwing in the towel.
• There were times in my life when I felt like I could not do anything right.

In the next try at this painful game someone came over to not only encourage me, but show me how to make a few minor adjustments. I slowed down a bit and aimed the ball towards the seemingly elusive target and got nine points all at once, that was almost as much as my previous entire game. I rejoiced and was glad I did not give up! GOD says the same.

• GOD says to me “I WILL strengthen you.”
• GOD says to me “I WILL restore you because I have compassion on you.”
• GOD says to me “I WILL answer you, and in MY name, you will live securely.”

I no longer felt weak and inept after a little guidance. In fact, I felt strong enough to join a bowling league and got better and better. Life is the same. Sometimes it feels like I am throwing gutter after gutter and getting nowhere. THEN GOD steps in with HIS promises and gives me strength to keep going.

HE provides me with HIS compassion and it is as if HE never rejected me in the first place. GOD loves me so much that HE volunteered to die for me. HE faced excruciating pain and was accused by those close to HIM. When HE rose from the dead, HE sent HIS HOLY SPIRIT to live in me. HE speaks to me through HIS word daily.

• Do you feel weak right now?
• Are you facing a situation that seems overwhelming?
• Can you slow down for a moment and allow GOD’s greatness overshadow what you are going through?
• Can you seek GOD’s compassion today?

Cleared Path

Isaiah 45: ² I will go before you
    and will level the mountains;
I will break down gates of bronze
    and cut through bars of iron.
³ I will give you hidden treasures,
    riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the Lord,
    the God of Israel, who summons you by name.
⁴ For the sake of Jacob my servant,
    of Israel my chosen,
I summon you by name
    and bestow on you a title of honor,
    though you do not acknowledge me.
⁵ I am the Lord, and there is no other;
    apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
    though you have not acknowledged me,
⁶ so that from the rising of the sun
    to the place of its setting
people may know there is none besides me.

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Worried about my future, I sat in my apartment thinking about the test I failed. “How will I get a job? Will I be a janitor forever?”, I thought to myself.

• There were times when I thought the path was closed.
• There were times when I thought I had no future.
• There were times when I thought nothing “is” going right so nothing “will” go right.

Looking at my current abilities was the problem. I mean, I had no idea what was in store for me in the future. All I knew was I failed a test and I may not graduate. BUT GOD saw way ahead.

• GOD saw my problems way before they happened and leveled the mountains.
• GOD saw the situations way before they happened and broke the gates of bronze.
• GOD saw me and made me so HE provided hidden treasures stores in secret places where no human or foe could steal it.

GOD summons me by name and bestows a title of honor on me though I did not acknowledge HIM. HE gave me the ability to graduate and have an illustrious career that I never should have had. HE is the reason for all of my blessings. I acknowledge HIM.

• Do you have obstacles?
• Does you path seem blocked?
• Will you acknowledge GOD’s power and allow HIM to deliver you?
• Will you put your wholehearted trust in HIM and let HIM clear your path?

Nothing is Too Large

Isaiah 37: ¹⁴ Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. ¹⁵ And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: ¹⁶ “Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ¹⁷ Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

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“Impossible” is what I felt when I tried to button my shirt on my own. It seemed like the buttons would never line up. I eventually learned. “Impossible” is the same feeling I felt when it came to getting into the high school I attended because it required a test. I passed. I started accomplishing more and more. Soon “I” was the one who could accomplish bigger and bigger things. But after a while some of the big things became BIG things that I could not handle on my own. What was I to do?

• Sometimes the problems I face seem to be insurmountable.
• Sometimes the situations I am in seem to be overwhelming.
• Sometimes the battles I am in seem to be a losing effort.

There are times in which I see the odds and they do not look good at all. I mean look at “insert problem”, it is huge! When I look at the problem a little longer I get worried and scared. Then the problem turns from big to BIG!

• GOD says to me “Bring your problems to ME because I can handle them.”
• GOD says to me “Spread your problems out before the LORD your GOD and acknowledge MY power.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who holds everything in MY hands, I will deliver you as I promised.”

The reason GOD “can” make a promise is because HE is the only one who can keep a promise without failure. GOD’s strength is impossible to move and HE alone is GOD over all the kingdoms of the earth. Whenever I have a problem, the first place for me to run is to HIM. HE has the right to chasten me, pick me up and deliver me from insurmountable odds within the same movement.

GOD hears and sees all of those who are against HIM and HE protects me daily!

• Are you in a huge battle?
• Do you feel that the odds are against you?
• Will you step back and spread your problems out before the LORD?
• Will you allow HIM to thoroughly change the situation that is out of your power?

Words of Encouragement

Isaiah 35: ³ Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
⁴ say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.”

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“Your tie is supposed to line up with your belt and zipper” was the great dressing lesson my uncle gave me. “Use fine sandpaper after the clear coat” was another lesson from another uncle. “Make a loop when stitching your pants” my aunt told me in yet another lesson.

• Sometimes I need help.
• Sometimes I need assistance.
• Sometimes I need someone to teach me.

Many times I really needed help. I mean I ran into situations where I felt lost and could not accomplish what I set out to do. I was faced with problems and sometimes had no way out. Fortunately I was blessed with people I could call.

• GOD says to me “Strengthen the feeble hands” meaning I need to help someone who cannot do for themselves.
• GOD says to me “Steady the knees that give way” meaning I need to support those who cannot stand for themselves.
• GOD says to me “Say to those with fearful hearts, Be strong and do not fear, your GOD will come with vengeance; with divine retribution HE will come to save you.”

Many times I received help and now it is time to be the help. GOD calls me to speak words of encouragement into others so they will continue on HIS wonderful path. HE removes barriers and HE is the only one who can speak blessings into existence. HE shows the way and holds up the weak. GOD wants me to not just talk, HE wants me to “do” and to “be.” GOD wants me to help.

• Are you passing by the weak and feeble?
• Are you dodging those who need your help?
• Can you reach out and help someone in need today?
• Will you ask GOD for more strength to help others?

A Wonderful Prayer

Isaiah 33: ² Lord, be gracious to us;
    we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
    our salvation in time of distress.

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What simple words. This prayer has everything needed for this day. Too often I look into the future and my mind races towards the wrong things. In an effort to resolve everything that is out of my hands, I fall into distress.

• I thank GOD for HIS marvelous blessings for HE has been gracious to me.
• I thank GOD for being there even when I think HE is not.
• I thank GOD for being my strength every morning so I do not have to rely on my own strength.
• I thank GOD for being my salvation in time of distress and forever!

LORD please bless all those who read these words. Bless them and heal them. Be their strength this morning and save them from their distress. amen

Have Some Heart for Dessert

Isaiah 7: ³ Then the Lord said to Isaiah, “Go out, you and your son Shear-Jashub, to meet Ahaz at the end of the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Launderer’s Field. ⁴ Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.

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Returning home from watching a scary movie I opened the gate and walked to the back door of the house. My neighbor decided to play a prank and snarled from the separating bushes of our homes. I screamed and ran in circles! Interviewing for a company that wanted me to “Flip the image of a heart on screen during surgeries” made me nervous. I screamed and ran in circles!

• There have been many times in which I have been scared.
• There have been many situations where I have lost hope.
• There have been many situations that I could not see a good outcome so I backed out because of fear.

Life seems to bring many scary situations, sometimes daily. I almost had a head on collision once. I almost fell off of high places. I almost got hit by a truck. Each scary time makes me think, “Should I just hide in the corner of my house and never come out?” BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “Be careful, keep calm” during situations, so I will not let my mind run away and spiral out of control.
• GOD says to me “Don’t be afraid” especially when HE prompts me to try something that seems extremely difficult or out of my knowledge or comfort zone.
• GOD says to me “Do not lose heart” because HE knows the many journeys HE will have me travel, I will face opposition.

Staying the course is sometimes extremely difficult. I mean it seems like big obstacles pop up at every turn that will make me want to quit. BUT GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than the obstacle. My only weapon in many instances is praising GOD in the middle of the storm. HE is the provider, HE is the power and HE is the hiding place in the middle of the storm.

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you see no way out?
• Can you stop looking at the problem and take a moment to praise GOD for what HE “is” doing?
• Will you “Be careful, keep calm, not be afraid and not lose heart” today because GOD is with you?

Keep Going!

Ecclesiastes 10: ¹⁰ If the ax is dull
    and its edge unsharpened,
more strength is needed,
    but skill will bring success.

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Confusion filled my face as my boss tried to give me instructions on what to do. I did not know how to program and my first job was a programmer. I sat at my desk with a couple of books and read them cover to cover.

Meanwhile I could hear the murmurs of my boss feeling they had made a mistake hiring me. Eventually I learned what I was supposed to do and I gained confidence. Even later, I learned more and more and became one of the best in the department.

• There have been many times when I was in over my head.
• There have been many times when I did not know what to do.
• There have been many times when I felt overwhelmed and simply lost.

Embarrassment was how I felt by not knowing what to do. I did not even consider they could fire me. I stayed up until two or three in the morning trying to make things work until I got it right.

• GOD blessed me to be put in positions where people were patient with my folly.
• GOD blessed me to have opportunities that I could not brag about “my” skills.
• GOD blessed me to be protected from those who lost their patience with me so I could keep going.

Giving up would have been easy then. No one was willing to help me since I was supposed to be this great asset to the company yet I was a detriment at the time. BUT GOD had me “keep going” until I learned what HE wanted me to learn. With HIS intervention I grew up.

• Are you facing something large?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you stop looking at the big picture and look only at today’s accomplishments?
• Will you ask GOD to give you the energy to keep going?

Ingredients of Joy

Psalm 107: ⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
¹¹ because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

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Joy is quite different than happiness. I have sought happiness and found it temporarily, but it sometimes led to places that were away from GOD. HE allowed me to be happy, but knew that’s not what I needed.

• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it endures the desert wastelands.
• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it leads me out of darkness.
• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it points me to GOD’s unfailing love.

Joy is hope wrapped in faith coupled with knowledge that GOD knows what HE is doing for you. Joy brings excitement that at the end of the crazy, disastrous, calamitous trouble, my relationship with GOD is strengthened so I will proclaim HIS name to the world!

• Are you in the desert?
• Have you been placed in chains?
• Can you seek joy from GOD versus happiness?
• Will you proclaim HIS name and the wonderful deliverance HE has for you?

When I am Weak

Psalm:101: ¹¹ My days are like the evening shadow;
    I wither away like grass.

¹² But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever;
    your renown endures through all generations.
¹³ You will arise and have compassion on Zion,
    for it is time to show favor to her;
    the appointed time has come.
¹⁴ For her stones are dear to your servants;
    her very dust moves them to pity.
¹⁵ The nations will fear the name of the Lord,
    all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.
¹⁶ For the Lord will rebuild Zion
    and appear in his glory.
¹⁷ He will respond to the prayer of the destitute;
    he will not despise their plea.

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“What else can go wrong” were the hilarious words to the beginning of the slide. First I received some bad news, and then I asked that dreaded question. After that I received more bad news that seemed to top the first wave. I said it again and I got some news that seemed to be equal if not greater than the other two combined. I stopped asking.

• There are times where life’s troubles come at me in many waves.
• There are times when difficulties hit me one blow after another.
• There are times that seem like troubles rush at me when I can’t pick myself up and dust myself off.

It’s easy to say “You’ll be fine” sitting from a cruise ship speaking to someone who is going through trouble, but what happens when “I” am the one who is in trouble? I mean who should I turn to?

• GOD wants me to know “When I am weak GOD is strong.”
• GOD wants me to know “I will never leave you or forsake you.”
• GOD wants me to know “MY love is everlasting, no height, nor depth, nor any created thing can separate you from MY love.”

GOD is a GOD of compassion. Difficulty is a way of life and sometimes the waves hit hard, so hard in fact that they may knock me off my feet. BUT GOD says “I know.” HE cares and HIS plan for me works extremely well in the midst of calamity. GOD responds to my prayer and does not despise my plea.

• Are you going through extreme trouble?
• Has life knocked you off your feet?
• Can you let GOD pick you up and not depend on your own energy?
• Will you look at HIS power in awe and know HE has compassion on you?
• Can you stay the course for where else will you turn?

Recognizing True Power

Psalm 93: ¹ The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
² Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.

³ The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
⁴ Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.

⁵ Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.

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Nervously awaiting the verdict, all I could think about is “what if they don’t accept me?” This happened as I attempted to get on the track team, or into college, or into a fraternity or into many companies. I was later taught “It’s not what you know but who you know.” I tried meeting people and soon found I had to identify the person with “power” and cater to their whims, no matter how crazy they seemed.

• There are times where I did not like the person with “power.”
• There are times where I did not like the person in charge.
• There are times where I did not like the person who made the decisions.

Folding my arms and pouting didn’t work, nor did slandering behind their back. I had to humble myself and face the situation that someone was actually “higher” than me in the pecking order of many things and I had to treat them with a level of respect. Then I noticed something different. What if I treated everyone with the same respect? Then I noticed something even more enlightening, what if I treated GOD with the level of respect HE needs?

• Humans need respect from me and GOD should get even more.
• Humans need special attention from me and GOD should get even more.
• Humans need immediate response, from me and GOD should get even more.

Recognizing “power” makes me successful, but human success can only last as long as their reign. GOD’s reign is everlasting. HIS “throne was established long ago” and HIS “holiness adorns HIS house for endless days.” The more I can recognize GOD’s power, without constantly pointing at my situation or my sins, the better.

• Are you focused on telling GOD about you?
• Do you find that most of your prayers are about you?
• Can you take a moment to recognize GOD’s power daily?
• Can you fight the temptation to be tired of praising GOD and truly honor HIM?