Pray

Job 42: 10

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes.

Have you ever had a time in your journey that it seems the whole world is against you? Would it have been the appropriate time to pray for those that helped you get to that place?

Think about it…Hit your knees and pray for those that wronged you. I know in my own journey that is not the thing I want to do. It is what I should do, but not what I want to do.

I've realized that when I do lift the people up in prayer I no longer feel the pain, the anger, the unforgiveness. You just cannot stay mad at those that you pray for, it seems…your feelings change through prayer!

When I looked it up about this scripture it said that when Job showed mercy to his friends that then God was able to show mercy to Job. God only shows us mercy when we first show mercy. Forgiven when you forgive. Pray and be freed!

Not only did it tell us that the Lord restored Job's fortunes, it tells us that he gave him twice as much. Job suffered, but he was blessed.

Pray for our friends, but also for our enemies. Sometimes it seems our friends fall into this category as well and give it to the Lord. The pain is eased, the peace is restored and forgiveness is shown. After all, our pain is not the same once we give it to the Lord.

Praying,

Debbie

 

nothing

Job 40:4

I am nothing – how could I ever find answers?

Isn't this so true?

I am nothing without God.

It takes us a little while to get to the point we admit this fact, but it is a fact!

I imagine sitting in Job's chair, hang hung as the Lord challenges Job with just a few facts about who God is…Creator!

God didn't past the role of being the creator today. He is so much more and he only talked about his creation. Only…is an understatement!

Creation always amazes me. I always look around when I feel down to be reminded that God made all of these amazing creatures, nature, well just everything. I am reminded that I don't need to feel down that I have the Great Creator on my side and I don't need another thing!

Indeed, I am nothing without you LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Closer to God

Job 32: 8

But there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them that makes them intelligent.

Before I go any further today, I have to admit to you I was tired of Job and his 3 friends. I was ready for somebody to speak up and this young man finally did! Hallelujah!

Don't get me wrong. I know I have times that I sound like Job and times that I sound like the 3 friends, but I was so ready for somebody to sound different. To be reminded of hope and how we have hope and today a young man finally spoke to his elders and reminded them about God. It was refreshing!

What about you? Have you done that lately?

We are all in settings where we hear the mumbles, the grumbles, the woe to me and do we speak up and remind them that there is spirit in them that makes them intelligent, or do we remind them that God is greater than any human being, or do we remind them that the breath of the Almighty gave them life? What gentle beautiful reminders of Who God IS!

God is speaking again and again – still…Do we notice?

In Job 34: 14 –

If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn to dust.

I loved this reminder of God's power. We or maybe I should say I sometimes forget if God decided to do this it would happen. Only a word and things would be different. It doesn't matter what is on our calendars, on our day planners or simply written in our heads…God can change those plans. God is busy and we sometimes have the disrespect to assume things only God knows…we are reminded in verse 37 –

Our rebellion to our sin shows no respect and then we speak angry words against God.

Don't we do this just like Job? We speak of things we know nothing about all the time. We forget to honor and respect God. Oh, we don't do it intentionally, but think back over the past few days with your conversations, your thoughts did you show God respect and reverence in your thoughts and actions? Are we any different from Job or his "all knowing" friends?

Oh Lord. I want to walk closer to you and your ways become mine. Forgive me Father for the times that I fail you - which are far too often.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

What is felt in your home?

Job 29: 4

When I was in my prime, God's friendship was felt in my home.

I love this!

What do you feel in your home?

Love, friendship, peace, happiness?

Stress, arguing, anger, fear?

God's friendship was felt in my home…Think about it. When you don't feel God's friendship, is it because God left or did we not invite Him for a visit? Did God knock and I did not open the door? Did I hear the doorbell ring and I just ignore it? Did I see someone at the door, but decided to wallow in my pity?

Choices…our choice.

Today's reading in Job chapters 28 and 29 talked a lot about God's wisdom and understanding. I was thinking as I read that sometimes we don't want to understand, we don't want to have wisdom, because it simply might not be our desires – it would be God's! If we choose God's wisdom, we must let go of some of our own desires and sometimes we simply don't want to let go!

I desire God's friendship and I want to feel this in my home. Is it always easy? NO…I fall so short in my choices at times that I don't feel God, but I try to correct this, because I desire His friendship, I need His friendship, simply put I NEED HIM!

Needing God,

Debbie

Taste and see!

Job 23: 12

But have treasured his words more than daily food.

It is true! Finally, at almost fifty I can say that I treasure God's word and truly mean it. I was 49 when I finally read the bible from cover to cover and it changed me. Bible studies, favorite stories, pastors would pick certain portions, college courses on Old and New Testament, but oh I don't need to read every detail…oh how wrong I was!

I treasure how I pick it up in the morning and I don't know what God will say, but I know He will speak. It is our special time together ~ just like sharing lunch with that friend that you count on to listen and speak words of truth to you. I treasure my morning time with My Friend, My Savior, My Lord, My Comforter, My Friend…did you get those words. Yes, He is my friend.

This morning He spoke so clearly to me telling me Debbie I know where you are going, you will be tested so get ready, but you will come out pure as gold on the other side. Debbie you will finally be refined and shiny like gold! Those times of testing are so hard. You feel so alone. You feel so vulnerable for attack. You feel like why should I do this Lord? The answer because I ask you to…nothing more needs to be said! Our choice for each of us to make ~ His plans or mine?

My morning time is so special with My Friend. I do feel His Mighty presence with me and I am reminded just how much He loves me! Who doesn't need to be reminded that we are loved?

So pick up His word and treasure His words more than your chocolate…Truly it is way better than our favorite dessert and we all know how good that favorite dessert is to us!! Nothing compares to the sweet love of Jesus!

Savoring every Word,

Debbie

Always and forever

Job 20: 4-5

Don't you realize that from the beginning of time, ever since people were first placed on the earth, the triumph of the wicked has been short lived and the joy of the godless has been only temporary?

Temporary.

Huge word meaning it will not last. The wicked triumph is temporary it will not last.

Our triumph through Christ Jesus is eternal. Do we truly understand?

It isn't like the picture that the ocean will wash away…

It isn't anything we do and it isn't temporary.

Jesus.

Jesus blood gave me eternal life. Nothing temporary that will be blown away by the latest storm, nothing that the ocean will wash away it is everlasting…always…forever...do we realize?

Slowly realizing,

Debbie

Spider web or rock?

Job 8: 13-14

The same happens to all who forget God, The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider's web.

Don't you hate it when you don't notice a spider's web and you walk right it to it and it just clings to your whole body and it is so nasty? I do. I don't like spider webs, so I guess this verse caught my eye.

When we forget God we have no hope. After all, our hope comes from God. So take a piece of thread and look at it. Everything you need to feel, to get through the next moment is like a thread. Not very secure is it? Not very strong is it? Not very comforting is it?

We are leaning on a spider's web. Now this is truly a nasty thought. The nasty just clings to us. The nasty insecurities, the nasty thoughts, the nasty devil, the nasty of a spider web is what we lean on. Imagery means everything to me. The only time a spider web is pretty is like the picture when God's light shines on it ~ just like us. God's light shining through us makes us pretty too!

Hope is so fragile. The devil is so waiting to pounce and folks he is real. Unfortunately, he is working 24/7 to get our attention to place doubt, so that our hope evaporates, he works to help us forget God. How? He places busy calendars, busy life, busy everything in our path to help us forget God…Yet again, it is our choice to choose to lean on The rock or the spider web, which choice will we make?

Choosing the rock,

Debbie

Joy in correction!

Job 5:8

If I were you, I would go to God…

Isn't this the truth? God is the answer before difficulty, during difficulty, and after difficulty. Sad fact is sometimes we go to others rather than God. I'm guilty or you?

I love this part of Job when he is reminded of all that God does..

He does great things to marvelous to understand.

He performs miracles.

He gives rain and water.

He helps the poor prosper and protects those that suffer.

He messes with schemers..don't you love it?

He traps the wise in their own cleverness…isn't this good? It goes on to tell us so that cunning schemes are thwarted.

He rescues the poor from mean words and the clutches of the powerful.

So that the poor may have hope and the jaws of the wicked are shut!

He heals and bandages our wounds!!

 

He does, he performs, He gives, He helps, He rescues, and He even traps and messes with evil doers…

I think it is time we all hit our knees in fact, I'm afraid we might be past due!

One important reminder is found in verse 17…consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin. For though he wounds, he also bandages…

Wow, be joyful when we are corrected! Isn't it true God loves us so he disciplines us and then he will bandage us. I absolutely love the imagery of these verses…

Ponder these thoughts today and be reminded of God's love for us and be joyful even during the times that he corrects us!!

Loving God,

Debbie

Puzzle pieces of good and bad

Job 2:10

But Job replied, " You talk like a foolish woman, Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?"

 

Nobody likes bad things to happen, but…

Think back over your journey isn't it true that during those times you spent more time in God's presence? Do you think that might be because we look for Him more then?

I know when I think back over my life the infertility, the loss of friends or family, the fire that it isn't that I like those times of my life, but they make me who I am today. We don't have to like our circumstances, but we show our faith through them.

The bad times in my life taught me to look for God on the good days as well as the bad. I treasure the moments in my life when I know that only God knows something and He shows me in the most dramatic ways. So, the verse above really caught my attention because I do think that we only want to accept the good…but oh what we see in the bad are some of our most treasured moments.

I pray this makes sense to each of you. Today, look for God whether it is a good day or a bad day! Accept the good as well as the bad – after all God takes every step with us on the good and the bad days…we just forget to take notice of Him on the good ones…

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Promises

God's promises

 

Throughout today's readings I was struck by the promises. The promises God made and the ones that Joseph made to his father. All of which were kept. God always keeps his promises!

I strongly believe that for the last two days God has been reminding me of my foundation and to believe it with all my heart. It doesn't matter what happens in this world, it is with Him and to hold on to that promise. I do! I do!

Kenny wasn't feeling well yesterday and we went back to the hospital. So far, the tests aren't showing anything, but he doesn't feel right. The unknowns are so much harder than the things we know. Kenny isn't a complainer, so this is a little scary in itself…anyway during this time I got up and listened to Pastor Denny Duron on the computer yesterday and he was speaking about having Dominion with our Family. The F stood for foundation. What is your foundation built out of and it doesn't matter what your foundation was built out of that Jesus can establish a new foundation. It was beautiful. This morning I got up and read a devotion and you got it the devotion was about building our foundations on Jesus Christ.

I am built on a mighty foundation and I needed this reminder of God's promises and the foundation that I stand on is built of something that no storm can destroy – Christ!

Standing on the promises of Christ my Lord,

Debbie

Need a traveling partner?

Genesis 46:4

I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again.

The Lord goes with us!

Peace.

When I read these words, I knew they were true. The last couple of months have been difficult to say the least. Kenny's illness hasn't been easy for either of us. We aren't quite sure at times if it's gone or just quiet for the moment. We aren't sure if a pain he feels means its back, we just aren't sure and the comfort we feel is that we know that The Lord is with us!

During this entire ordeal, I've felt God's mighty hand holding us up. When we weren't sure what we were dealing with we were calm, because we know The Great Physician. Difficult times aren't easy, but they are bearable and the only reason they are bearable is The Lord is with us. He goes down to Egypt with us and brings us back.

Again, this weekend we have both wondered is the illness back, but we haven't panicked we feel peace because we know God goes with us wherever we go!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Come closer

Genesis 43:32

…The Egyptians who ate with Joseph sat at their own table because Egyptians despise Hebrews and refuse to eat with them.

 

Wow, how sad! Here is a man that provided the resources so that the Egyptians would make it through the famine and yet they would not eat the food provided because of Joseph and the knowledge that God gave him. Last year I don't think I caught this fact. Isn't this awful? Think about it…they ate the food, but not at the table with Joseph. They allowed him to take care of them, but would not fellowship with him. The despised the man that saved them.

Imagine the loneliness that Joseph felt. He was good enough to save them, but not for them to share a meal with him. Our burdens are never easy for us to deal with, but we manage with God sitting at our side at the table. Amazing love…Joseph had to feel it to make it through these difficult, lonely years.

The last thought today was from Genesis 45 ~ So it was God who sent me here, not you! Joseph understood the difficult, lonely years were all a part of God's plans. It wasn't the brothers, it wasn't Joseph it was God. God provides for us during the difficult times and during these times we must always remember that we are not alone and that God will take care of us and that healing will come. In Genesis 45: 14 it tells us Joseph was weeping with joy. Imagine this wonderful family reunion only God is able to provide. Is there a family member that you might need to allow God to use His mighty healing balm in the relationship?

Today treasure and ponder the words Joseph told his brothers ~ Please, come closer..Who do you need to move closer to?

Pondering and treasuring,

Debbie

Sweet dreams

Sweet Dreams

The picture today is called "sweet dreams". I picked it because of the butterflies, not the crowns and jewels. Even though we are all daughters of the King the crowns and jewels are very fitting for the writing about the dreams and remember you are a princess!

Do you ever have a dream and wonder what it means? Do you have a dream of a loved one that has died and you are with them and it is so real you don't want to wake up yet? I have. I did last night. It was a good dream. One of a lady that was always special and she spoke the truth. She was still speaking the truth and we were all laughing and listening to words of wisdom. It was good. It was her. I felt God was telling me she is doing great with HIM. I don't know, but that is what I felt.

Today with Joseph from Genesis 40 and 41 were so full of important information for us to learn from and to take to heart. One being time ~ God's timing. It is different from ours. Joseph was tossed into that prison and left. No timetable about when he would ever come to trial or if he would ever come to trial. In those days, no date was set it was when the rulers just decided to hold court. So, what did Joseph do?

Joseph made himself useful. He worked. He earned respect and most of all He trusted in God. Always giving God credit ~ verse 8 ~ Interpreting dreams is God's business…Again in chapter 41 verse 16 ~It is beyond my power to do this," Joseph replied, "But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease."

Always remember to give God the credit and point things to God. Our testimonies will only be powerful and meaningful when we remember that God is the one that changed things for us, it certainly wasn't us. Also, we must be willing to open our mouths and share about what God is doing in our life. Sometimes, it would be easier to sit with our mouth tightly shut rather than stir something up…we are to share, if you feel the prompting open your mouth God will provide the right words.

Timing. Joseph waited and he waited. The cupbearer waited two years to mention Joseph. What did Joseph do in the mean time? He worked and prepared himself for whatever God had planned. He didn't allow himself to become bitter and angry. Think about it. What if when the Pharaoh finally sent for Joseph, he showed up and was all angry and bitter and refused to help ~ where would this have gotten Joseph? The next time you feel overlooked and forgotten, please be patient God is preparing you just like He did with Joseph for His plans not ours.

Joseph is such a lesson for all of us. Remember, his bragging to his brothers and the trouble it got him in? Well, God forgives all of us, if we learn and admit our mistakes. We don't know when God will call us out of our prison, but we must be ready when we are called. So pray, learn and grow during those difficult times. After all, it had to be difficult for Joseph sitting in that prison and the times that he had to be human and wonder will I ever get out. After all, he was very human just like us.

We have to trust. Trust in our Savior that He will save us in His way not ours, in His timing not ours and know that He never ever leaves alone!

Trusting,

Debbie

Never alone

Genesis 37: 8

And they hated him all the more…..

Today is hard to pick what to write about, so much stuff!!!

I wanted to begin with our mouths or should I say my mouth. I was intrigued with Joseph and the way he told about his dreams. He was excited and wanted to share, but it really came across like he was bragging and maybe he was. God was sharing some really big stuff with Joseph and he wanted to talk about it, but he didn't do it in the right way. Oh Lord, I pray that the manner that we share You is the way that people will be drawn to you and not one that they want to throw us into a well or sell us off to a foreign land. Our approach is so important and such a fine line to walk! Think about it…We make a difference in the way that people respond to God. We must be careful!

Again, I was caught by the fact that Judah (the line of Christ) didn't want to kill his brother let's just sell him…Then we go on and learn about Judah and his daughter-in-law. This story bothered me a lot. Last year, I didn't catch that this was the lineage of Christ and then I read this story again and once again it so shows God's forgiveness for our actions. His son was born from this line that Judah went purchased a prostitute(he thought) for the night only to be his tricked by his daughter-in-law…God definitely knows his plans and look at verse 10 in chapter 38 God considered it evil that Onan would deny his brother's wife a child. So the Lord took his life. God knows His plans for our life. Wow!

Then when I got to Chapter 39 and Joseph with Potiphar it just jumped off the page over and over…The LORD was with Joseph…He was with Joseph during the time at Potiphar's house and then when he was tossed in prison. The LORD is always with us! During the good times or in the prison cells of our life The LORD is with us!!!

We are never alone! God doesn't promise us it will be easy, but He does tell us that He will hold us up and step every step with us. After all, He is the God that sees us...

So much to take in and ponder today…Ponder and treasure throughout your day that you are never alone!

Pondering,

Debbie

Family matters

Genesis36:1

This is the account of the descendants of Esau…

I noticed last year while reading, the listing of the family lines over and over again. I would come to one and say oh no, here we go again, and again. This year it began to hit me differently.

God wants us to remember these accountings of families they matter. They matter to Him, so they need to matter to us.

I also began to think about this is a way for Him to teach us that our family lines matter. Our families matter. It doesn't matter who we meet in our life the family that God gave us is important. He had a plan and this is part of His plan.

So when I come to a listing I know it matters. It still is very difficult for me to read and keep all of them in line with exactly who they belong to and so on, but I know it matters. It matters because all of this is a part of God's plan!

Today, think about your family lineage and thank God for His plans for your family. It does matter!

Thanking God,

Debbie

Only God

Genesis 33:10

…And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God!

I love this! After all, Jacob had wrestled with God in chapter 32 and named the place after this experience Peniel, which means face of God! I just love how God works!

Jacob had wrestled all night long. He was tired from travel, from fighting with Laban, worry had to feel his heart and mind about meeting Esau after all these years, and don't forget all the women that was traveling with him and the kids. Imagine, this could not have been an easy journey. He was up all night long and his life was spared. Imagine, he left limping but I bet he was almost running. You know the feeling - think about it. Think of a time that you wrestled all night long with an issue on your heart and God gave you the answer you needed. Did you not get up ready to go the next day?

Jacob was ready to see his brother, he did all the things to make this visit go easier. He thought about just the right gifts, just the right message and don't forget that at the beginning of Chapter 32 we are told that when he started on his way, angels of God came to meet him! Is this not the coolest? I love this. Wow, Jacob was having a great trip, but not without worries of how is my brother going to receive me?

Esau was so excited that he ran to meet him. He had passed all of these people, animals and he finally gets to Jacob bowing to the ground seven times before him. He ran embracing him, and kissing him and they wept. Now, this is good stuff. What woman doesn't love this story? Imagine, the forgiveness shown in this embrace. God had worked on both of these men for this to happen.

Jacob is truly sorry and Esau accepts. Only God can do this kind of stuff. Only the God that sees or El-Shaddai – God Almighty! A smile is like seeing the face of God what words to hear…

God changed both of these men. Not just Jacob think back about what we read about Esau, he had some issues..Jacob had issues, but we learn through today's reading that God can change a lot more than a name of a man, he changes our whole being.

I didn't catch it in my reading until I was reading a commentary on this particular reading today that even Leah was given a great gift. A gift that might be missed if you were like me and didn't catch it until someone else pointed it out..Look at verse 23 of chapter 35..the sons of Leah, it was her branch that is the lineage of Christ. The commentary showed me to go back and remember when Leah praised God it wasn't after her first son, it wasn't after her second son, it wasn't the third, but after her 4^th son that she finally praised the Lord! This is good stuff folks…she praised the Lord and this is the line that Christ was born from and was given for all of us!

Only God…Only God…

Praising God,

Debbie

The well

Genesis 29: 2

He saw a well in the distance. Three flocks of sheep and goats lay in an open field beside, it waiting to be watered.

The well caught my attention. Think about it how many years before maybe near this same well Rebekah went to the well her life to change forever. Now, here we are at the well and Jacob meets Rachel. Does anybody else find this fascinating?

It makes me think of the woman at the well in John 4, how we all end up at the well searching for living water. Oh, we don't know it is living water, but we are all searching…Abraham's servant was searching for Issac's wife, Jacob was searching for Laban the family to find his wife and the woman at the well was searching for what? Living water!

The well. It draws people in, doesn't it? During bible times, it was where people went to draw the water for their homes, their animals, their needs. Women would meet other women and discuss the happenings of the day around the well. The shepherds would bring their flocks for watering; visitors would bring their animals to be watered… It was the place to discover.

Think back…God used the well to fill all of their needs. I love the fact that the well was used in this father and son story to find their future wife.

I also, was caught in today's reading by how miserable we make our life by taking things into our own hands. Times haven't changed much. I am always so saddened by the story of Leah and Rachel. Two sisters who love the same man, Jacob. He loves the younger, more beautiful woman and is tricked into marrying the older sister. The older sister is given the gift of having more children. So, then what happens? The two women bring in two more women and it becomes a bigger mess. I imagine the scenes at night, the awful cat fights, and the awful words thrown between all of these women in the tent waiting to see which woman will go to Jacob that night.

All because of taking matters into our own hands. First, Jacob took things into his hands by stealing Esau's blessing, then Laban was tricked Jacob, on and on and on…Sin doesn't win, but it doesn't seem to stop, does it?

I picture Leah it tells us with no sparkle in her eyes, so sad. I picture Rachel beautiful on the outside, but a sadness that is never truly changed, Bilhad and Zilpah as used women who are angry. Think about it place yourself in that tent imagine the scene and the heartache that each of these women felt and why?

All because we take things in our own hands, without waiting for God to show us the way!

Think about the path you take, wait for God to show you the correct path…otherwise, it will be even more difficult than it would have been. Patience is the key!

Patiently waiting,

Debbie

Red stew anyone?

Genesis 25:34

He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn.

Esau must have had some issues. The scripture above tells us that he showed contempt for his rights. Contempt is defined as dishonor, worthless, scorn…those are mighty strong words for something that is a gift. The gift of being your parent's first child, you did nothing to earn the right you are born with it and yet you scorn this gift.

I don't think this verse caught my eye before. I've always had a temptation to feel sorry for Esau after all his brother and mother tricked him later in our reading today that he missed out on the blessing as well. Now I have feelings of wonder. I have the thoughts of he must have had an attitude, he must have been quick to act without thinking, he might have had anger issues…who knows, but look at a couple of these verses for yourself.

Verse 28 tells us that Isaac loved Esau and that Rebekah loved Jacob, so the love was equally shared between the brothers. In verse 32, Esau was hungry, yes hungry so he traded his birth rights for a bowl of stew. Does this seem like a smart move on his part? It doesn't look like Jacob even had to work very hard for Esau to turn over his rights just had to hand over a bowl of stew ~ red stew at that!

The story really got my little brain thinking this morning about how our choices are what make the difference in our journeys. We decide a lot about what is going to happen in our journey. So often God does have a plan, but we are allowed to make the choice. We get involved in the process because we decide that we must have that bowl of stew, that red stew.

How often do we scorn the gifts that life presents to us? How often do dishonor a gift that we don't deserve? How often do we show contempt?

I still have a tendency to feel sorry for Esau because he is so much like me…HUMAN in capital letters! I on the other hand realize that there was more to this story than Rebekah and Jacob tricking Esau when someone so easily dishonors a gift of birthright for a bowl of stew…

What do we scorn that is a gift that we don't deserve?

Lord, thank you for your grace that none of us deserve!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Why Lord?

Genesis 25:21

Isaac pleaded with the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was unable to have children. The Lord answered Isaac's prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant with twins.

Why Lord are some prayers answered and others not? For years, I struggled with this question and for the same reason mentioned above having a baby.

Women come into the world knowing that one day they will be a mom. Truly we are all born I believe with that natural instinct that you want to nurture and care for those you love. You want one to call your own. You grow up carrying for your doll babies and imagining the moment it will be real.

When the time is right you know it will happen ~ no problem. Wrong, at least for me. It didn't happen.

The prayers were lifted. The tests were done. I don't know how many little pregnancy tests I bought just knowing that this would be the one with the positive reading ~ finally a baby. It wasn't to be. God had other plans for me.

I don't know the why someone gets the answer they desire and the other person doesn't. I just know there is a bigger plan and that trust is a must to get through the time you receive the answer you didn't desire. Whether it is infertility, a death of a loved one, a diagnosis, a divorce…the list goes on and on. At these times, we must walk by faith!

I remember thinking after taking one of these pregnancy tests – Why Lord? What's wrong with me that you won't let me be a mom? What did I do?

We always make it about ourselves, don't we? I believe the day God gave me Isaiah 54: 1-4 it was all about me. He was focused on helping me, Debbie understand that He had other plans for my life and that it was about me and He actually shared through this scripture a little glimpse that He had for my life. It just wasn't going to include any natural children for Kenny and Debbie it was going to be other children that we would help and love.

God had plans for my life to help other women through their difficult situations and to remind them of the times He lifted me up and got me through, so that they too would have hope. We don't always get the answer we desire, but God gives us the answer that He knows is the right answer for His big plans.

Is it easy? Never. Do I still at times wonder why I got the answer I did? Yes.

Am I okay? Yes.

 

I truly know in my heart that God had other plans for me and that doesn't mean that I am always okay with it. I don't have to be okay with the circumstances, I just have to be okay with God and show trust in His mighty decisions that I have no way of understanding.

I am okay with all of this and you know why? Because God cared enough about me to show up in Bible study and answer my prayer with His mighty words from Isaiah 54 ~

Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband," says the LORD.

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

I knew God felt my pain and He was reminding me of His mighty love and I was not alone. None of you are alone either.

Whatever your pain The Lord sees and He cares. Share your pains and your hurts with Him the one who will help to heal the wound.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Open your eyes

Genesis 24:58

…Yes, I will go.

How often do you sign up for a trip that you don't know where you are headed, you don't know the people you traveling with, you don't know the person you are headed to marry, you are leaving behind all that you do know? Yes, please let me sign on that dotted line.

Am I alone in this?

Would you have so willing replied Yes, I will go?

I have to be honest. NO and I know that I would reply in all caps.

I know this is part of God's plan and you read that I would have replied in all caps NO. I fear that I've done that other times with God's plans for my life. I get in His way a lot more than likely. Often times, God request us to be bold and this is opposite of Debbie most of the time…God doesn't feel us in on the details …I like all the details.

I get in His way, but I also read this morning in Genesis 21 where Hagar and Ishmael who definitely weren't a part of God's plan were still heard by God. Look they had been thrown out of the family, so to speak. Wandering alone in the desert they had no water, it was hot and Hagar burst into tears knowing they were going to die. But the word tells us that God heard the boy crying and that God opened her eyes.

When I read this it jumped off the page at me…God often times has opened my eyes. Look at it for yourself in verse 19 – God opened Hagar's eyes…

So often, we do say NO in all caps and God comes along and opens our eyes. I know in the past six years God opened my eyes and my heart in ways that only God can do! He truly wants to give us an adventure that only He is able to provide and it may not include the details or what I have on my list, but I promise it ends up being way better than what I had planned anyway.

Thank you Lord for opening my eyes,

Debbie

You laughed!

Genesis 18: 13 – 17

Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say 'Can an old woman like me have a baby?' Is anything too hard for the LORD?" I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, "I didn't laugh." But the LORD said, "No, you did laugh."

 

Don't you love this story? Here Sarah is listening behind the curtain to Abraham entertain his friends and she overhears a conversation and she laughed silently to herself and questions.

Next thing you hear is the LORD calling her out to her husband. Wow, the LORD knows. He knows our hearts, our thoughts, everything. How does that make you feel?

Are you like me and sometimes convince yourself that you are able to hide some things and keep it all to yourself. (Your secrets that nobody knows.) Well, the LORD knows.

I love this story. The Lord didn't make a scene by calling Sarah out with Abraham, The LORD, and the two angels. Or at least it doesn't tell us in scripture that He did. It looks like the LORD matter of factly mentioned to Abraham hey Abraham why is your wife laughing? Doesn't she realize that I am able to do anything? She may laugh, but I'll be by this way this time next year and you will have a son.

No, Sarah couldn't leave it alone. Isn't this just the way we, girls have to do it sometimes. We have to plead our case, even if it would be better to keep our mouths shut? She let her fear of The Lord's knowledge and the devil; cause her to tell a lie to the LORD. Again, he simply stated Sarah you did indeed laugh. He knew. He always knows, but sometimes we think we might fool Him and the whole time we are only fooling ourselves.

The LORD knows!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The God that sees me!

Genesis 16:7

The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness…

Have you been to the wilderness of your journey lately? Were you running away from what maybe God was calling you to do?

I love this verse. God found Hagar. She wasn't lost from Him, but she was trying. How often do we to go the other way from God. Only to meet Him sitting beside the stream in the wilderness we are given the Living water out of mercy.

Did you know Hagar's name means sojourner? Abram's folks probably named her this when they acquired her many think when they were leaving the Pharaoh. Hagar was trying to return probably to this home land of evil. The place that worships other Gods, but the scripture tells us that the angel of The Lord met her.

Imagine, this young woman upset, angry running in the wilderness alone trying to get home. Suddenly, happening upon a stream in the wilderness sitting down and immediately she realizes that The Lord found her. Where are you coming from and where are you heading? I'm running from something...

Immediately, she is told to return to the mean woman and submit. Oops, who wants to hear this? After all, this plan of Sarai's wasn't necessarily Hagar's plan. She already had to submit to this plan of Sarai's and now she is told to return? He promises something though. I will give you many descendants.

He tells her to name her son Ishmael meaning God hears. I heard you Hagar. I came. I showed you mercy. What does she reply? You are the God that sees me. Wow! Is this what you reply?

Do you accept and return? I love this scripture. I see myself in this scripture. So many times I want to run so fast from what God is calling me to do. Why? It isn't necessarily my plans. I have other things in mind. Submitting isn't always easy. You know what I love the most though? God found her. He pursued her. One commentary said the Angel of God's Presence. I want God's Presence. I love to know God is with me. I love to see His hand in my life at work. I love knowing that He is the God that sees me!

Earlier in this reading we are told in Genesis 15:6 - And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith. All we must do is believe the Lord. Believe, trust, know, feel God's mighty presence because He is the God that sees you and me and He does pursue us in our wilderness times make the choice for Him to find you – submit..return for the dance of your life!

Believing,

Debbie

Moving on

Genesis 12:1-2, 4

The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

So Abram departed as the Lord instructed,…

Place yourself in this situation. The Lord instructs you to pack up and move your home, leave behind your relatives, even distant relatives and go to this land that you don't know, but God will show you. God in turn promises you that He will make a great nation out of you, He will bless you and make you famous and that you will be blessing to others. So you pick up and leave immediately, right?

Abram did! He picked up and departed as the Lord instructed. Imagine, the faith shown in this act. I don't know if it's being a woman that makes this so difficult to comprehend. I don't know if it is because I think of all the stuff, now I know we probably have more stuff in this day and age, but they did have a home. They did have family and they were leaving them behind as well.

We like familiar. We like for things to be planned and it doesn't look like Abram got a lot of planning time. He didn't have a lot of time to prepare his to do list…The Lord instructed and Abram departed.

What faith is shown by Abram! The original words mean go away, get out leave behind your family..The original word for famous meant powerful and that you will be a present to others and that you would help others to praise God. A present to others don't you like that? Abram was a gift!

Think about it Abram's family was blessed. Abram's name is definitely great. His name is great and famous to all Christians and other faiths. Also, because of Abram's faith a lot of people saw spiritual light and believed and for this people were and are praising God. Wow,…

So, listen for your instructions and be like Abram and be ready to go.

I must move to another passage that catches my attention and I still don't get…Why does Abram tell Sarai to pretend to be his sister? After all, Abram just packed up, left everything and every one behind and yet he tells his wife to pretend to be his sister. Then the pharaoh took her as his wife. Does anybody else have any thoughts on this part of the scripture? Last year, I wrote why and again this year I write why…we were just told of Abram's call and his faith in doing. Why this action?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

 

Open the Door

Genesis 7:16

…Then the Lord closed the door behind them.

 

The Lord was going to be sure that Noah was protected. He closed the door to the bad things happening, the flood waters, the storms of life that were about to happen and it was closed to shut all of this out and protect Noah. Yesterday, we were told that Noah's name might mean comfort or relief. I found this interesting thinking about what was about to face Noah and what he already faced while building the ark.

 

Imagine, the ridicule look at that crazy Noah building that boat and nowhere near the water. What is he doing?

The Lord closed the door to the ridicule, the evil ones, and protected Noah and gave him relief from the flood that was about to happen.

As I read this verse another verse kept coming to my mind from Revelation 3:20 ~ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

The whole time I was reading it was like I kept thinking God provides a safe place for us. He will protect us just like the ark did with Noah, but it is our choice to be obedient to God's desires for us. It is our choice to open the door and let Christ in.

Does anyone else find this scripture so striking?

The Lord shut the door….

Here I stand at the door and knock…please let me in…

It is your choice, if you open the door.

Opening the door,

Debbie

Broken Hearted

Genesis 6: 6-7

⁶ So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. ⁷ And the Lord said, "I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them."

We broke the Lord's heart. Imagine this was back at Noah's time. The first part of the bible and we still haven't gotten things together have we?

When I looked up original words it said the Lord grieved what he had fashioned that His heart was in pain and He wanted to blot humans out. The actual translated word was repented he made man. Just like our sins must be repented and God never remembers them, if we truly repent. He wanted to repent of making man. Do you realize that He wanted to erase, blot us out...original words are very powerful in this particular scripture..."I will wipe off man from the earth,' as dirt or filth is wiped off from a place which should be clean.

Think a moment about how compassionate God is and was…think of how bad the sins must have been…because just yesterday we read how he looked over it and saw that it was very good.

Earlier in Genesis we are told that Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you.

Well, we are also told that we must subdue it and master it. We fight this battle our whole life, don't we? We never get past that sin crouching at the door, do we? God's amazing grace and our repentance are our saving grace when we finally meet God face to face.

One thing that just jumped at me throughout this reading is that we must honestly look at ourselves. God gives us our chance, but with sin crouching waiting so eager to control us. We must keep our eyes focused on God, so that when we fail we are able to realize our wrong and truly be sorry. If we focus on the sin and we become harden to it and we allow it to gain control and before we know it because of sin our eyes we can't see what is good…

Things haven't changed in a lot of ways since Noah have they? Not on our human parts, but they have changed because we have Jesus…absolutely nothing to do with us…

Amazed,

Debbie

Very good indeed!

Genesis 1:31

Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!

I woke up this morning full of resolutions, mostly about my personal self. I am going to take better care of myself, I am going to go on a diet all things I need to do. Realizing this truthfully makes one feel less than good. I am disappointed in myself for where I've allowed myself to get in this area of my life. Now these are very truthful thoughts of where I am at the moment. (Feelings of poor self esteem)

I leave the kitchen and head to my office to study God's word and what He wants to share with me this morning. It was so full of wonderful things this morning.

The first thought that passed through my little head was God's perfect timing. God created in order. (Light before plants, etc.) He was a planner and everything had an order.

At the end of chapter one, I came across the verse above. It touched my very soul. God reminded me that He made me and that I am a part of His creation and that He was very pleased with His creation. It reminded me that God made me for a good reason and that I am important to Him. Now don't get me wrong I still think that He wants me to take better care of myself, but He reminded me that I matter to Him.

I went and looked up original meanings because it always adds so much to the meanings of these verses.

God – original one used here meant the (one) true God, divine one

Saw – h)r – to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

Made – h#( translated to "asah – means to do, fashion, make, accomplish

Good – bwt – translated word Towb – means agreeable, good, pleasant

The one true God, inspected his accomplishment, his fashion and found it agreeable, good or pleasant…

I am dancing right now, because I know in my heart that this is true! God doesn't make any junk! He fashioned us! He found us agreeable, good, pleasant and this is the Divine One we are talking about, so we are good!!

Another translation of this verse also went into the thoughts that sometimes we feel guilt over doing a good job. The commentary mentioned that it is okay to feel good about our accomplishments as long as we keep in mind that if it doesn't please God then it should not please us. So, remember the bracelets WWJD.

Happy New Year,

Debbie