Life Is What You Do With It

 Life Is What You Do With It

Exodus 2: ²³ Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. ²⁴ So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. ²⁵ And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.

 

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Somewhere over the course of forty years, the new Pharaoh died, but the affliction on the Hebrews remained. The people groaned and cried out to GOD because of their bondage. GOD heard the cries.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph was placed in Egypt as a blessing to him.
• The children of Israel were free while Joseph was alive, but enslaved after his death.
• GOD knew HE would free HIS people before they were enslaved.

 

When GOD made Adam and Eve, HE did not create them with problems. They had freedom to eat anything, say anything and go anywhere. Unfortunately, Satan tricked them into desiring what GOD said they shouldn’t. This is the fall of humanity. Ever since then, humans have tried to rule over other humans. Pharaoh spent his life in pursuit of ruling over people. He died without pleasing GOD.

 

Our free will is documented in the Bible. GOD knew and saw everything, but the Bible is written from a human perspective of what HE revealed. Humans were in bondage in Egypt and needed GOD’s rescue. The timing was right for GOD to put things into action to free HIS people. “GOD acknowledged them.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the death of the new Pharaoh and the Hebrews groaning?
• What are you spending your life’s time on?
• Can you make GOD your purpose in life despite the situation?

Keep On

Keep On

Jude 1: ¹⁷ But remember, my friends, what you were told in the past by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “When the last days come, people will appear who will make fun of you, people who follow their own godless desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, ²¹ and keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.

 

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“What good is it?” was my question. I was running out of gas because it seemed like my efforts were not amounting to anything. In fact, more problems arose than solutions. At every turn, there seemed to be another barrier.

 

• I got tired of hearing the scoffers.
• I got tired of hearing questions that clearly showed a lack of belief.
• I got tired of the problems, barriers and holes I could fall in, but mostly I got tired of those who questioned with their heart “Where is your GOD now?”

 

Jude gives a pep talk after blasting those who infiltrated believers of JESUS. He warns believers that in the last days, people will make fun of those who keep the faith. He mentions their tactics of divisiveness  and their lack of control. He then focuses on what believers should continue doing, namely praying and staying in GOD’s love.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to continue to ask HIM for HIS power to be used in every one of my situations.
• GOD wants me to not get tired of repetition rather to keep on building the way HE told me.
• GOD loves when I use encouragement, prayer and patience as I wait on eternal life through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 

Waiting on GOD could make me look like a nut to those who have fallen in love with the world. I mean, where is the political takeover or stacks of cash from heaven or super-human powers, scoffs the unbeliever? BUT GOD has another focus for me.

 

GOD wants me to see HIS gentleness, grace and mercy HE has for me and those who laugh at me praying instead of taking matters in my own hands. HE has all the power and wants me to keep on surrendering my plans in exchange for HIS. I gladly keep on building the way HE guides me.

 

Challenge

• What last days is the writer referring to?
• Have you ever been laughed at or questioned by those who clearly do not believe?
• Will you stay with GOD and continue in the work HE has for you until your eternal life is shown?

Question Answered

Question Answered

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹⁶ Be joyful always, ¹⁷ pray at all times, ¹⁸ be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus.

 

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Walking outside to the parking lot, I noticed my window had been broken out and my cassette tapes had been stolen. Yeah I said tapes. At work, I got news that the project was not going well. I got home and all I had in the fridge was eggs. I boiled them and fell asleep. I woke up to exploded burnt eggs. “What do YOU want from me!” I angrily said to GOD.

 

• I had plenty to complain about.
• I told people about one calamity, then another would hit.
• I questioned why I was going through this by asking “What do YOU want from me?”

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy gave some advice to everyone who asked the question “What does GOD want from me?” Their simple words are not so easy to put into practice, but the perspective can change how circumstances are seen.

 

• GOD wants me to be joyful versus happy because joy cuts through pain.
• GOD wants me to pray at all times, asking HIM how HE wants to handle the bad and good situations.
• GOD wants me to be thankful in all circumstances, seeing HIM work through very difficult situations as well as peaceful ones.

 

Joy, prayer and thankfulness do not seem like powerful weapons, but they are. I mean, when I seek happiness, fulfilled desires and accolades, I run into those who seek the same and would do anything to rob others of theirs. I also rely on my own thoughts and power which makes me run out of fuel and question GOD. BUT HE has another way.

 

GOD wants my life to have light burdens, but understands there is an enemy, Satan, who will stop at nothing to keep me from praising JESUS. GOD gives me joy, prayer and thankfulness to battle worry, hatred, doubt and all ills of life. I am glad GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIS SON and wants simple things from me.

 

Challenge

• Why do the writers use “always” and “all times” and “all circumstances?”
• Have you ever felt like not praying or wanting to be angry or wanting to just be alone in your pity?
• Will you take the burden off of yourself and replace it with joy through prayer and thankfulness so GOD can unite you with the power of CHRIST JESUS today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, thank YOU for this reader. Thank YOU for keeping him or her in the palm of YOUR hands. Thank YOU for joy and for opening the door to listen. We praise YOU today. amen

Pray, pray, pray, pray, pray!

Ephesians 6: ¹⁸ Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people. ¹⁹ And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret. ²⁰ For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.

 

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Being on my own, I chose to stop praying. “What good is saying the LORD’s prayer anyway?” I said to myself. I wanted to just have “fun.” As things got worse and worse, I revisited prayer.

 

• I only prayed when I wanted something.
• I had stopped believing in prayer, because things were not going “my” way.
• I did not feel the need for prayer when I was in the middle of doing what “I” wanted to do.

 

Paul gives everyone several reasons to pray. He ties prayer to “building up your strength” and “Standing ready” as he mentioned earlier while urging us to put on the whole armor of GOD. Do all this in prayer.

 

My Observations

• Prayer helps me communicate with GOD to place my desires before HIM.
• Prayer guides me to a better place when led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• Prayer gets other people involved to ask GOD to reveal HIS mighty power.

 

Usually prayer is the last resort when it should be the first. I mean, asking GOD for permission, direction and success seems like the right thing to do. Unfortunately, I have the tendency to start doing what “I” want to do and when it is a mess, ask GOD to fix it.

 

Prayer is a time to change “my” mind versus trying to get GOD to do something HE does not want to do. HE gracefully reveals the “gospel’s secret” and enables anyone who asks to become an ambassador for HIM. HIS SPIRIT shows me that HE can never be constrained. I am thankful GOD wants to communicate with me all day every day.

 

Challenge

• What different ways to pray do you see in the writers words?
• How is the SPIRIT leading you?
• Have you validated your desires by asking GOD “Is this what YOU want me to do?”
• Will you place every situation, thing and person, including yourself, before GOD in prayer today?

Protected

Protected

Acts 9: ²³ Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. ²⁴ But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. ²⁵ Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.

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After the thief snatched my bank book, somehow I snatched it back and ran. “He’s running into a door” one of them shouted. When I got inside of the train-line office, I did not summon for help, I stayed by the door for a long while, until an adult walked though. “Is anyone out there?” I asked. “No” replied the adult. I felt safe to continue my route home.

• Many times I have been in danger.
• Many times I have been scared for my life.
• Many times I have been in situations where I needed help.

Saul was now labeled as a troublemaker because he preached about JESUS. The church leaders and some of their misguided followers were not going to lose their power to someone preaching about JESUS. They plotted against Saul. BUT GOD protected him.

• GOD wants me to know HE will protect me.
• GOD wants me to be prepared to look out for those who try to harm me.
• GOD wants me to understand that there are people who do not love HIM who may try to persecute me.

The world is cursed by GOD. HE threw the first humans out of the garden and placed an irrevocable curse on the world that enabled Satan to run loose, trying to harm those who believe in JESUS. BUT GOD did something amazing.

HE put my name and those who believe in HIM, in HIS hand before the world was ever made. HE sealed my eternal life with HIS death and rose from the grave to ensure I will be with HIM always. GOD protects me and I trust HIM even when harm falls on me.

• Is someone harming you?
• Do you need protection?
• Will you allow GOD to protect you through the situation and trust HE has a plan, even for the difficulty you are facing?

Be Different

Be Different

John 10: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them.

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Seeing the professor compliment one of the students made me glad I did not go first. I quickly adjusted my speech to sound like theirs. I figured that would get me extra points. I gave my speech and it seemed like the excitement went out of the room. “Thanks” was all I got. I asked for feedback. “You sounded like everyone else”, was the response.

• There were times when I wanted to be safe with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted everyone to agree with what I said.
• There were times when I wanted to fit in, so I said what “they” said.

JESUS had just told the church leaders they were blind. They taught what they felt the people wanted to hear. Eventually they got a large following that increased their power. They spoke about GOD, but not about JESUS being GOD. JESUS then says “But the sheep will know the Shepherd’s voice.”

• JESUS says to me “Speak about MY kingdom.”
• JESUS says to me “Bring people to ME and I will guide them.”
• JESUS says to me “Take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME.”

Loving yet offensive, is the message of JESUS. I mean HIS word offends everyone because they have to admit they are a sinner. It makes me say “I am wrong and need help that I cannot get from a human.” This offends those who love religions, programs and especially those who have all the answers.

GOD is the only answer and JESUS is the only way. HIS message is so simple that people walk away from it, thinking it has no power. BUT GOD says be different. HE wants me to tell people I am a weak sinner, but I have hope. This hope comes from JESUS. I am grateful for HIS vast power.

• What do you sound like in public?
• Do you sound and act like the world?
• Will you dare to be different and admit “your” sins to people so they will feel comfortable admitting their sins?
• Will you lift JESUS up to where HE should be when you talk about solutions today?

Partying and Worrying

Luke 21: ³⁴ ‘Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. ³⁵ For it will come on all those who live on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.’

³⁷ Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, ³⁸ and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

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Worried about my future, I decided to go on a trip with friends. We all piled into a hotel room dreaming of the clubs we would hit that night. Although the distraction of having ”fun” was welcome, I still had a ton of worries on my mind. The party lifestyle was not a remedy.

• There have been times when I sought out worldly “fun” to ease my pain.
• There have been times when I was going through problems, so I sought out something to distract me from those problems.
• There have been times when I felt so low that I needed something to pick me up.

JESUS gives HIS final warning to HIS followers not to fill their hearts with the partying lifestyle nor with worries of life. Both would distract HIS followers from seeking HIM daily.

• GOD wants me to look for HIM to guide me daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS solutions to my problems.
• GOD wants me to pray that I may be ready for HIS return every day so that I may be ready to stand in front of HIM.

Being prepared for the return of CHRIST seems antiquated in some folk’s mind. I mean HE has been gone for thousands of years, why would HE return today. JESUS wants me to live my life as if HE was going to return tomorrow. Since I do not know what preparation HE is doing or why HE delays HIS return, I still have the obligation to seek HIM.

GOD wants me to act like the world is about to be on fire and HE wants me to diligently seek those who choose to reject everything HE has already told us. I can now fill my heart with prayer.

• Are you worried so much that you want the party lifestyle?
• Are you so distracted with life that you have not thought about GOD at all during your day?
• Will you set your mind on GOD just a little today so you can see what HE has in store for you?

Inconveniently Ready

Luke 11: ⁵ And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? ⁸ I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

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“Can you take me to the emergency?” I asked. It was the middle of the night and I had no one to turn to but a coworker. I explained the problem and he got out of bed and took me.

• There were times when I inconvenienced people.
• There were times when I was in need at an inconvenient time.
• There were times when I was at the mercy of others and I did not want to ask for help, but needed it.

JESUS was actually speaking of persistence in HIS example, but HE did it in a way that also showed the need for persistence and humility. The “friend” in HIS illustration, was not ashamed to ask for help, even at an inconvenient time.

• GOD wants me to respond to helping others even if it is inconvenient.
• GOD wants me to swallow my pride and express my needs even when it is “inconvenient.”
• GOD wants me to seek HIM with persistence.

GOD has the right to say “No” to many things I ask for, but I ask anyway. In fact, GOD does not mind if I ask over and over and over again. HE can handle my request and, in the meantime, I grow spiritually because I have faith that HE will deliver in HIS time.

• Are you in need and are afraid to ask for help because it is inconvenient?
• Do you have someone you need to help but it is not at a convenient time?
• Will you grow your faith by continuing to ask GOD for HIS favor, even if it means asking for the same thing over and over again?

Doubt Repellent

Mark 11: ²⁰ Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. ²¹ And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

²² So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.²⁴ Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

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“I’m going to make it” I thought to myself. Immediately after thinking this marvelous thought another thought crossed my mind. “But what if you don’t make it? You may get hurt.” I tried anyway. I threw one leg over the fence, as I saw everyone else do, but hesitated with the other. My pant leg got caught in the link fence, slamming my face into the links.

• Sometimes I doubt.
• Sometimes I fear.
• Sometimes I hold back because there is a part of me that just does not believe.

JESUS pointed out special power that is available to everyone. HE had to get Peter to see that it wasn’t about the fig tree at all. But what am I supposed to do?

• JESUS says to me “Ask me for anything when you pray to MY.”
• JESUS says to me “Believe that you will receive them and you will have them.”
• JESUS says to me “Nothing is possible with humans, but with GOD all things are possible.”

By placing every request at JESUS’s feet enables HIM to be LORD of my life. HE has the right to say “No” to my request, yet I should believe that HE can grant the request if HE desired to. This, however, sometimes creates a conflict. “Am I praying for the right things?”

JESUS wants me to cut it out and move forward. Pray, believe and receive. That is my only concern.

• Are you dreaming of something but have doubts?
• Do you think you want something large but feel so small that you think you dream cannot be reached?
• Will you place your doubt in JESUS hands along with your dream and ask to be filled with faith?

Good Old Days

Matthew 23: ²⁹ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. ³⁰ And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ ³¹ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

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Sitting in my car, I found it difficult to get out this particular day. Looking back on simpler times made me wish I could go back and relive life at a slower pace.

• There have been times I have looked back in the past and wished I were there.
• There have been times I have looked back and thought those days were better than the present.
• There have been times I have desired to be in the “Good Old Days” versus these difficult days.

Whenever trouble pops up my mind wants to go on vacation back to a time when things were good. Unfortunately some of those “Good Old Days” caused these bad days. I easily forget that trouble existed then too. I also forget that I sinned then as I do now.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than the past.
• GOD wants me to desire a wonderful outcome rather than living in a place I cannot go.
• GOD wants me to dwell in HIM and not the past.

JESUS points out that the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to clean the sins of their ancestors but in fact they were associating themselves with rebel mongers.

It’s funny how the mind scrubs clean my past. I mean I was rescued from myself many days by GOD and going back and reliving them would be disastrous. GOD took me through the right circumstances to grow me and HE is not finished yet. HIS plans for today are just as good as they were then,

• Are you longing for the “Good Old Days?”
• Do you think you were less of a sinner then?
• Can you focus on what GOD is doing today and praise HIM?

Death or Life

Isaiah 38: ⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life. ⁶ And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city.

⁷ “‘This is the Lord’s sign to you that the Lord will do what he has promised: ⁸ I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has gone down on the stairway of Ahaz.’” So the sunlight went back the ten steps it had gone down.

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“What would you do if you only had two weeks to live?” were the words of the speaker at a conference I attended. Would you have “that” argument? Would you work as hard as you are working? Would you worry about what you are worrying about? All of these poignant questions got to me.

• Sometimes I get caught up in the speed of life.
• Sometimes I think I will live on this earth forever.
• Sometimes I think I have plenty of time so I can do “it” later.

After that conference I had to ponder, am I living my life with purpose? I mean work certainly got the bulk of my time. Was I providing poison or fruit to people? Hezekiah was going to die, BUT GOD told him he had fifteen more years to live. What would I do in this situation?

• GOD wants me to live an abundant life.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIM as much as I can during the time I am living.
• GOD wants me to speak of life not death.

Why waste time speaking about negative things? There is only so much time in a given day and I have a choice. I can speak of death or I can speak of life. Death could equal bragging about money and clothes that rot, rust or moths eat. Life equals speaking about how GOD chose me in the middle of my sins, died because of my sins and has forgiven me of all my sins.

I can speak about “that” person in a poisonous way or I can pray they receive life and that GOD forgives me for thinking they need prayer.

• What would you do if you only had two weeks to live?
• Would you have “that” argument?
• Would your words be poison or fruit?
• Why not change your life and live as if you only had two weeks to live?
• Can you speak more about GOD and less about your problems?

Fasting Prayer Belief

Ezra 8: ²¹ There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions. ²² I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him.” ²³ So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.

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Upon reading this I could not think of an example because the message was too powerful. There were too many elements that caught my eye.

Ezra declared a fast to humble the group.

            What I hear is I need to fast every now and then to see just how much I need GOD.

Ezra asked GOD for a safe journey, not only for himself but everyone who traveled with him.

            What I hear is I need to ask GOD for HIS protection of all those HE sends to me.

Ezra was ashamed to ask the king to protect them because of their belief in GOD’s deliverance.

            What I hear is belief takes faith and the acceptance of trouble or protection from GOD.

Ezra did what he said by fasting and praying and GOD answered their prayer.

            What I hear is believe and move forward because GOD is listening.

This is an amazing piece of history because GOD delivered a weak broken band of people, who were carrying valuable items, from thieves and enemies who could care less about them.  I imagine they didn’t sleep very well during this three day journey. I imagine they felt frightened yet driven to complete the task at hand.

Depending on GOD every step of the way must have felt pretty scary BUT GOD was faithful and protected them, not because they were sinless, but because HE is GOD.

• Are you about to go through a trial?
• Do you feel you are holding fast to your beliefs?
• Have you taken time to humble yourself by fasting and praying?
• Will you take the time to ask GOD for HIS protection of you, the people around you and your stuff?

Can I Hear God?

2 Chronicles 33: ¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention.

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“Why did I just lie?” was the final straw. At this point I was lying for no reason at all. There was nothing to gain so in all respects I was lying to myself. It wasn’t the lie that brought me around, but the question. Where did that question come from?

• There are times when I hear GOD and I choose to ignore HIM.
• There are moments when GOD is telling me to do something and I sit back and close my ears.
• There are periods where I am throwing a tantrum and I refuse to do what GOD is saying.

GOD speaks to me each and every day.  HE placed HIS laws in my heart as HE did every human HE made. HE says “Forgive that person” or “Don’t do that this time” or “Be Strong, do not be discouraged” to me and in my own bumbling way I ignore what HE says.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to read HIS word so HE can speak to me.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways so HE will make me fruitful.

GOD speaks to me through HIS creation when I can see growth, sun and rain. It’s up to me to appreciate it.  GOD speaks to me through people in calm and trying situations. It’s up to me to praise HIM about it. GOD speaks to me through HIS Bible. It’s up to me to absorb what HE is saying. GOD speaks to me through the HOLY SPIRIT who brings me comfort. It’s up to me to receive peace.

GOD speaks to me daily. HE wants me to speak back to HIM.

• Are you confused or fearful?
• Have you ever asked “How can I hear GOD?”
• Can you stop and look around and see what GOD is saying to you right now?
• Will you let GOD permeate your heart?

Trust because the battle is not mine

1 Chronicles 5: ²⁰ They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagrites and all their allies into their hands, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him. 

²¹ They seized the livestock of the Hagrites—fifty thousand camels, two hundred fifty thousand sheep and two thousand donkeys. They also took one hundred thousand people captive, ²² and many others fell slain, because the battle was God’s. And they occupied the land until the exile.

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Looking in the engine, I had no clue what I was searching for. The car wouldn’t start, that was the bottom line. I sat and wondered, “Would I ever get out of THIS circumstance?” As my friend turned the ignition, I heard a rumble in the engine that gave me hope. Suddenly a plastic part blew off of the engine and hit me in the face cutting my eyebrow. This situation seemed hopeless.

• Sometimes when things go wrong, I feel like giving up.
• Sometimes when things look bleak, I feel like sitting in a corner and giving up.
• Sometimes when things aren’t going so well, I feel like throwing up my hands and giving up.

As I got up off the ground I collected myself and looked in the engine once more. I replaced the loose part and begged GOD for some help even though I wasn’t really following HIM. My old car started and I was able to get my friend home and get myself bandaged up. The car seemed to work fine.

• GOD will listen when I cry out to HIM.
• GOD will help when I trust HIS plan and HIS promises.
• GOD will help when I believe He has ALL the power and I have none.

What I noticed is “They cried out”, “They trusted”, and “They reaped benefit of GOD fighting the battle.” Their hands still had to be in the fight and they could not give up, but against all odds they won because GOD was on their side. I now add “Prayer” and “Trust” to my faith.

• Are you in the middle of a battle?
• Do you think the battle is yours?
• Can you cry out to GOD and remain fighting?
• Will you add “trust” to your faith so GOD will answer your prayers?