Remember

Remember

 

The reading is getting harder. Wars, Fighting, Death, Unhappiness and God allowed it. In fact, it tells us that the Lord burned with anger against Israel, so He handed them over.

We read this and we don't understand. How this happened or happens. Well, God gives pretty plain instructions and we learn in Judges 2: 19 we are told that after a generation died, another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things he had done for Israel.

God remembers! He gives instructions and we don't follow. Continually throughout the Old Testament God gives instructions and the people don't follow. God grows tired of people thinking they have a better way or their own way, so let's do this…Imagine it. God knows what is going to happen and they think they know a better way…duh???

God's ways are not our ways and we will never totally understand the things that happen, but I think of my earthly father. He gave us specific instructions and he meant for us to follow them, not plow our own path. If we got off that path, then we were punished. Is this not true for you? A simple way to think of it and God and His people are a much bigger picture, so punishment would be a much bigger picture as well.

Disappointment must have continually faced God. Disappointment in His people, His chosen people that forgot about Him and served other images …Images on a pole no less. The Lord burned with anger at them and he turned them over. But what happens next? The people cry out for help to the LORD and what does He do? He raised a rescuer to save them. Never ever does He leave us. He may discipline us, He may be disappointed in us, He may be mad at us, but if we remember who HE is…the Creator, the Healer, The Almighty, The Great Physician, The One Who Sees Us, The One that Forgives us…did you catch that last one The ONE that Forgives US…Yes we are the one that disappoints not Him. He tells us what He expects, He always remembers us, but do we always remember HIM?

Remembering HIM this week with feelings of unworthiness, I am so less than I should be for HE sent HIS SON to die for the times that I don't remember Him, for the times that I disappoint Him, for the times I forget Him…Yes, HE definitely Remembers US!

Begging forgiveness,

Debbie

Cling

Joshua 23:8

Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now.

Do you remember growing up and the times you were uncertain and how tightly you would hold on to your mom or dad? I do. I remember being in a crowd of people and I would cling so tightly to my dad for fear that I would be left behind or lost.

Reading this morning brought these memories back to me. A little differently this time because it was about The Lord and the times I find myself clinging so tightly to Him that I know I will not be lost. Mulling these thoughts it went through my mind the times that I am lost are the times that I'm not clinging. It is the time that I think I'll be okay on my own or I can handle this and I get lost.

The people of Israel had been through so much. They witnessed so much and the instructions were given Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or to the left. Why do we all face the times in our journey that we deviate? We know the instructions and yet we think we know more…what is this all about? The devil works hard to grab us and cling tightly…It seems we like to forget that evil exist, but it does. Why don't we admit it? Why don't we gather together and cling tightly to the LORD to fight the evil?

So many lost that have deviated and are lost fighting evil. They are clinging to the wrong one that is disguised. We need to shine the light on the correct one to cling to and hold tight to by sharing His Word with those around us. We need to walk in the Light, so they immediately know who we cling to when we face being lost.

So today cling tightly to the LORD and let others see the One Who never lets you get lost!

Clinging to the Father,

Debbie

Safe place

Cities of Refuge

Joshua 20

A place of safety for people that may or may not have killed someone, but they are accused. God wanted these people to have a safe place. A safe place that one would receive a fair trial to determine the truth of guilt or innocence from whatever they were on the run from…

Do you ever wish there was such a place?

It seems that no longer to we have innocent until proven guilty. Often times, it is the exact opposite guilty until proven innocent. We convict with our thoughts, actions, and separate people off without allowing them a city of refuge…or another way to think about it is we don't allow the people that need a shoulder that made a bad choice a place to come and be reminded that they are safe. They are with people that love them no matter what…What happened to being friends that stood by even in the difficult times?

Lately, I've been placed in situations that people are alone. They have no one and they have no refuge. God provided a place of refuge for people that might have committed murder and we don't seem to offer this for much lesser situations any longer.

At times, I've wanted a place of refuge. I saw the picture and loved it. It represented refuge to me if a hurricane wasn't on the way…Imagine, the sound of waves and the quiet alone with My Father. Definitely, a place of refuge even in the eye of a hurricane ~ the place you meet with Our Savior. Run to the Father in the safe place and remember we are never alone!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Surrounded by His Love

Joshua 18: 8

In the presence of the LORD

I love the days when I know without a doubt that the LORD is with me! You know the days…You are surrounded with HIS Glory and the peace that passes all understanding.

The tribes were casting lots for the land promised in the presence of the LORD. The LORD made a promise and it happened.

The same is true for us.

God sent His son to die for me and for you ~

Surrounded by His Love,

Debbie

I wanted, so I took

Joshua 7:1

But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD.

Disappointment once again for the LORD after giving very specific laws about the do's and the don'ts to follow. Achan stated I wanted them so much that I took them. How often is this us?

We want something so bad that we take it. We know better. We know in our heart it isn't what we should do, but we take it anyway.

Yes, we have God's mercy, but still He must be so angry and disappointed with us at times. He gives us a brain, He gives us HIS WORD, He gives us knowledge, He gives us all the tools we need to make correct decisions and yet we want something so we take it.

The LORD doesn't call us out by our family and then one by one we step forward until we are singled out like Achan was in the story, but we know it in our hearts. Isn't it so difficult when we know that we have done this and yet we continue in the same process? All the time our pain grows in our spirits and our hearts because we know and God knows and we are set apart from the LORD. We have built a wall between us and The LORD because of what we desire to continue to take that is not ours to take…

We must fall to our knees and bring that wall down and break the storm that is brewing, begging for forgiveness and truly change our ways. We know and HE knows so what are we going to do?

Falling to my knees,

Debbie

Stop there!

Joshua 3:8

…take a few steps into the river and stop there.

How often does the Lord give us instructions to stop and wait?

I think more times than we like to think. Often times I believe God is telling us to wait.

Be still and know that He is God…Wait I will tell you when and we just think we didn't hear, so we plow right on through with our plans. I know that I've been guilty of this more times than I like to admit.

Imagine, the priests being told pick up the Ark take a few steps into the river and wait…

A river filled to the banks, in fact the words overflowing were used. They listened and were obedient and saw a God moment. As soon as the priests feet hit the water the water began to back up a great distance until the riverbed was dry. Wow!

What do we miss because we don't stop?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Even in Death

Deuteronomy 34: 5 – 6

So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord said. The LORD buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place.

Moses is gone. Never has there been another prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face. God took care of His special friend as He does all of His special people even when we return to the dust.

The Word tells us that The LORD buried him. We all know that if the people knew where Moses was they would have built idols and The LORD wanted nothing like this happening. So, He took care of it himself. What a special thought! God let Moses see the land with his own eyes and then he peacefully went to be with The LORD. I think of Jesus and the painful death that he suffered for all of us and Moses being allowed to see the land that he longed to enter, but not being able to enter. In his own way he suffered, but not for long. God took him to be with him after allowing him a glimpse of the land. Jesus a horrible death for us and Moses a peaceful death in comparison; God's ways are not our ways!

I have felt so for Moses in the last several weeks knowing that his death was impending, knowing that due to his own disobedience he would not see the land that he so desired to enter, knowing that death was near. Yet he was still teaching his people and us right up to the moment his eyes saw the land…The Word tells us that his eyes were clear and that he was as strong as ever. Imagine for a man of 120 years old to still have clear eyesight and be strong right up to the moment you get to be with The LORD – what a gift! What a gift that The LORD buried His special servant and friend Moses…even when we return to the dust The LORD is caring for us!

Blessings,

Debbie

God’s unfailing love

Psalm 90:14

Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.

God never stops loving us! We are sure that each morning the day will dawn and we may be just as sure of God's love.

Many think Moses wrote this Psalm near the end of his life. Moses the man that lead the people for 40 long grueling years, a man that listened to the constant complaints, the unyielding demands and one time he did not demonstrate God's holiness to the people he would not enter the Promised land. Still Moses wasn't moaning – he knew he had been disobedient! He accepted and continued to guide the people with God's instructions.

Amazing isn't it? Not a grumble from Moses no instead it was words of reminders of Home is with God. A place that one can always go!

A reminder that God is the Creator of the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God!

A reminder that God never ever stops loving us, even when we fail Him and yes we fail Him all the time. He may discipline us – just like Moses not entering the new land, but the love doesn't stop. What a beautiful reminder that each morning we need to give praise and thanksgiving for God's unfailing love and yes definitely we may sing for joy…

Singing for joy,

Debbie

Yada’ Yada’

Deuteronomy 29: 5 -6

For forty y ears I led you through the wilderness, yet your clothes and sandals did not wear out. You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but he gave you food so you would know that he is the LORD your God.

Clothes and sandals made these two verses jump at me. Women clothes and sandals are hot items and these never wore out for 40 years. Imagine it? Hard to, isn't it?

The original word for know was Yada' which meant to perceive and see. These people were suppose to realize that after 40 years of having only the food that the LORD provided that HE was and is God. They were suppose to see, perceive and know exactly who HE was…to understand. How do you think they still didn't get it?

How do we still not get it? He loves us so much. He provides everything we need and yet we don't get it – we don't Yada'….

What woman is able to care for their clothes for 40 years without them wearing out? I don't care if you are Martha Stewart our clothes wear out, but these clothes lasted in very difficult circumstances 40 years and yet they didn't Yada'…how could they not know?

They witnessed miracles with their own eyes. They witnessed everything…

In Deuteronomy 30 we are told that God gives us a choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on you to choose…You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to life…what more needs to be mentioned?

Key to Life – Choice = LORD God

Need the key to life and all that it offers then choose the LORD. Turn the key and choose joy, hope, love, kindness, patience, understanding, and most of all a peace that passes all understanding when you walk with the LORD. Oh, you still have difficult times but just like Moses told Joshua the same is true for us….

Be strong and courageous! …Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you or abandon you."

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Moses continued…

Deuteronomy 18:15

Moses continued,…

The last several days I've pondered about Moses. The feelings of remembering, the reminders that he is giving the people knowing that they are going to see the promised land and he is headed to his death.

His love continually shows for God, for the people.

Moses continued when the going was so tough. The time in Egypt, then the desert and all the complaining, complaining, complaining and yet the love showed.

Do you think as he sat and reminded the people of the laws he was remorseful? He was sad? He was feeling what? I just can't imagine all the feelings that had to be flowing through him. He knew his death was near and yet he was still being obedient reminding the people of the law and following God's instructions. He was a man, so he had to be very emotional on the inside. A strong man that probably never allowed his feelings to show you just know that they were flowing through him during this talk with the people.

Moses continued…will the same be said of us?

Will we continue to show our obedience to God? Will we show our love for God and follow His will for our journey? Will it be said….______________continued?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Striving toward

Numbers 32:12

…for they wholeheartedly followed the LORD.

Joshua and Caleb were special they were exceptional and these words were written in the Bible for generations to read. Imagine it.

I love for people to place themselves in the stories of the Bible to try to imagine the feelings, the things happening around you, the sights, the sounds, the thoughts everything feel it. Would you have been one of the two or perhaps like me fallen into the other group?

Two people were all that left Egypt that would see the land they left Egypt to follow The Lord to….two. Not a very big number is it?

Wholeheartedly, completely, sincerely, entirely followed the Lord…WOW, that is what I strive daily to get to and daily I fall short…life gets in the way just like it got in the way for everybody, but these two special men. I want to be special, so daily I will get up and strive to wholeheartedly follow the LORD and I will improve with each day.

Imagine forever the words written about you….

(place your name) she wholeheartedly followed the LORD

Isn't that something to strive towards with your whole heart?

Striving,

Debbie

After all

Today, is a little different. I read the reading this morning and it was interesting about women and the vows she takes. Then the story of the conquest of the Midianites and then the division of the spoils, but nothing just jumped at me and then I knew that today was different.

God reminded me of the scripture in Genesis about after his creation of the universe and everything in it….God had finished his work of creations, so he rested from all his work. God even rested. Today, I am headed to the spa a gift from my sweet hubby for valentine's that I haven't used yet. After the last six months today is spa day and my brain is tired, so I am resting.

So I am off to the spa for a beautiful day! Take your day of rest…after all if God took one who are we to think we wouldn't need one???

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Be bold!

Numbers 27: 1- 11

Five very powerful women are found in Numbers 27; alone, orphans in a time when women did not count for much other than childbearing. Parents have died it's time for the census and if they don't take a stand they will matter even less.

I place myself in these women's shoes and imagine the boldness it took to stand before Moses, Eleazar and the other tribe leaders and point out what they felt was unfair. I know how difficult that is today, when we have rights to be bold and step forward…imagine it – place yourself in the wilderness approaching the leaders of the day with your thoughts. Remember they would have been just that your thoughts..

Excuse me sirs, Mr. Moses…Yes, sir it was us…May we speak? Yes sir…I know it is odd for us to request such a thing, but please may we speak?

Sir, do you remember our father? Our Father, Zelophehad, who was a descendant of Hepher who was a son of Gilead, son of maker, son of Manasseh, who was a son of Joseph. You do remember what Joseph did for all of us, don't you??? ( I just know this would have been stressed by the girls) You do remember how Joseph saved all of us, don't you? After these little reminders…they would have gently proceeded with reminders that their family was not part of the rebellions against the Lord that they had been loyal. The only problem was he had no sons which some might few as a result of a sin for this we are sorry, but should we lose everything because he had no son? Should we not inherit what once belonged to him so that this important name will not disappear from the census? It was powerful. Moses took it to the Lord.

Now I imagine the girls ready to dance and high five and hug, but they had to restrain..they had no answer yet.

The Lord replied The claim of the daughters of Zelophehad is legitimate. You must give then a grant of land along with their father's relatives. Assign them the land that would have been given their father…Yes, now they are dancing!!!!

Imagine…have you ever had the urging that something just wasn't right? Were you bold like these women? I believe this was part of God's plan and it was in their own power whether they took the steps…He stirred them, but would they respond? What about you is He stirring you, are you going to respond? I encourage you to be bold…step out in faith and dance like the daughters of Zelophehad did…you know they did even if it was after they returned to their own tent…you know they danced!!!

Dancing,

Debbie

YOU WILL NOT

Numbers 20: 12

…Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!

Moses and Aaron had to feel major disappointment. You know they did. They had done major things to get the people to this point and their belief sagged for a moment and now they would not make it to the land promised.

What happened? They missed their appointment and instead got disappointed! How often do we miss our appointments with God because of our "dis" in front of disappointment?

We walk around with questions and not showing trust, and we miss our appointments! We let ourselves take control rather than keeping our focus on the ONE who makes things happen. We let ourselves believe that we have something to do with the things happening and disappointment creeps into the picture…The only way to keep our appointments is to keep focused on THE ONE!

So, today focus on Jesus and experience joy rather than disappointment!

Experiencing Joy,

Debbie

Beginning, Middle, End

Numbers 17: 8

When he went into the Tabernacle of the Covenant the next day, he found that Aaron's staff, representing the tribe of Levi, had sprouted, budded, blossomed, and produced ripe almonds!

Wow, when God wants to do something he does it in a mighty way. Only a miracle from God would this happen.

Aaron's staff was probably from an almond tree. Almond trees grow to 20 ft. in height they bud in January and bloom in March. Imagine the power of God shown to these people with this staff. Simply put this is beyond the power of nature only the power of God would this happen.

One commentary said the buds represent good desires, the blooms – the promises, and the ripe fruit represented the love and obedience another way they said it was the beginning, the middle and the end.

I love this! Imagine the smile on Moses face when he entered Tabernacle and his gaze fixed on the staff. I am smiling myself right now thinking of the miracle that once again God showed His people. Think of the miracles that He shows us daily, isn't it a smiling matter? Isn't it a joyful thought all God can do and all that He is doing?

Look around you today and give praise for the miracles of God…Only God!

Thank you God!

 

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Complain, complain, complain

Numbers 14: 29

You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you.

Complain! Complain! Complain! Takes on a whole new meaning now doesn't it?

Imagine…rather than trust the LORD they imagine the worst…I don't have to imagine I do this too…and I have the Holy Spirit in me. They didn't have the Holy Spirit in them, but they Had God traveling with them. Look at Number 14: 22…they have all seen my glorious presence and the miraculous signs I performed both in Egypt and the wilderness...

I think about these people walking through the parted red sea for them and then killing all the Egyptians…did they forget?

They were hungry so He sent food…did they forget?

Over and over and yet complain, complain…

No wonder, God was tired of hearing it.

I feel so much the pain that Moses, Caleb and Joshua must have felt when the words turn around and don't go toward the land…must have pained them. They were almost there and they are told to turn around.

On top of that that are told most all of the people will drop dead in the wilderness. Oh the sadness that must have taken over their being.

What a lesson for all of us to keep in mind - Be careful of complaining it could equal dying in the wilderness. It is true if you think about it, complaining often times keeps us from living. We waller in a situation and we die, because we refuse to trust that there might be a reason for the situation or the problem. We look at only a small part of the big plan and we complain…

I keep going back to the verse that we should all keep in our hearts and trust with all our being ~ And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It goes on to remind us that we are protected and not to be afraid. WOW! I love this…I will not be afraid and I will remember who is with me! Most of all leave the complaining behind in the wilderness and don't die with it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Complain or give thanks?

Numbers 11:17

…They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.

Welcome words I am sure. Imagine it…the complaining constantly and only you to hear it in their eyes. Only you weren't the only one hearing it were you?

God must get so tired of us. Daily we walk through this life and we see the problem rather than the solution, we see the worst rather than the possibilities, we see doubt rather than hope, we see darkness rather than light and most of all we complain about all of it.

Poor Moses, but it is much worse when you think about God and all that He hears…even Moses complained in verse 11 where he stated Did I give birth to them? Did I bring them into this world? Complaints…I think God wishes He had earplugs that He didn't hear all of us all the time…but then again He knows us..the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly and He loves us.

Yet the thing I like the most was that God surrounded Moses with support…He does the same for us. Daily I am carried along on this journey of life by the supporters that He placed in my life. The difficult burdens I don't carry alone, He provided people to carry it with me. Thank you Lord for these people!

Today do we complain or give thanks?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

A blessing for the day!

Numbers 6:24-26

 ²⁴ 'May the Lord bless you
      and protect you.
 ²⁵ May the Lord smile on you
      and be gracious to you.
 ²⁶ May the Lord show you his favor
      and give you his peace.'

 

A huge blessing to give those you love. When you give this blessing you are asking for divine favor to rest upon your loved ones. So, today this is the blessing I pray that each of you reading will receive and give to others!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie