Restored

Job  40: 6 - 42

God reminds all of us again exactly who HE is...beautiful words that heal when you hear them. Imagine Job seating listening to God himself tell you "Are you as strong as God?"  Yet hearing these words convict us, but give us such hope!

God indeed heals us even when we are not what we should be!

In Job 42:10 these words just were so beautiful thinking about all that Job went through the terrible losses, the terrible disease, the isolation, and the know it all friends with all the answers and then the healing flowed with God's Words.  It's beautiful!

In Job 42:10 it just made me want to dance when we are told these words...

When Job prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes.  In fact, the LORD gave him twice as much as before!  It's not the stuff.  It's God!  He was restored with God and then God blessed him with more...So much more!

Only God!  Allow Him to heal your heart!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Who is this?

Job 38 - 40:5

Over and over the LORD spoke in the reading today reminding Job and the rest of us of exactly who HE IS!  The Great I AM!

Often times I wonder how could we ever ask such questions and yet we fail daily with questions that we don't need to know the answers to, but yet we ask!  Faith is trust in God knowing and handling exactly everything.  He so beautifully pointed out exactly who He is throughout today's reading!

The picture above is one that I took a couple of years ago in October at our house in Colorado.  We arrived it was still beautiful fall.  The golden aspens surrounded us, the animals were frolicking in the last of crisp fall air and we woke up one morning to find the mountains covered, but what amazed me was the color of the clouds.  It was like pink cotton candy covering the snow colored mountains.  I remember the gift of witnessing this change in seasons and thanking God that He allowed me this time in this special place that I see Him everywhere.  

This morning it is hard to pick one verse that speaks so beautifully to God and HIS Awesome powers in creation, but a few of my favorites were...

Job 38: 8 - 11

Who kept the seas inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed the clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness?  For I locked it behind barred gates, limiting its shores.  I said, 'This far and no farther will you come.  Here your proud waves must stop!"

Job 38: 19 - 21

Where does light come from, and where does darkness go?  Can you take each to its home?  Do you know how to get there?

But of course you know all this!  For you were born before it was all created, and you are so very experienced!

I could go on and on, but I want to close with the response of Job in 40: 3-5, because it probably fits most of us...

I am nothing-how could I ever find the answers?  I will cover my mouth with my hand.  I have said too much already.  I have nothing more to say."

Blessings,

Debbie

Point to the LORD

Job 35 -37

 In  today's reading everything pointed to the LORD  about His Mighty Power!

Storms often times remind me of His power and Elihu used wonderful words to remind us of God's Power shown through a storm!

Job 37: 1-5

My heart pounds as I think of this, it trembles within me.

Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth.

It rolls across the heavens and his lightning flashes in every direction.

Then comes the roaring of the thunder-

the tremendous voice of his majesty.

He does not restrain it when he speaks.

God's voice is glorious in the thunder.

We can't even imagine the greatness of his power.

It reminds me of the the song that goes with this blog...I can only imagine what my life will be...God is so awesome in every respect that we can only imagine because we are given small peaks into His Mighty Power and it blows our minds!  I am so thankful that God is sooooo beyond our imaginations that simple words don't grasp Him, only the small glimpses of His Creations show us a little inkling of His Strength.  Aren't you thankful that He is All Powerful and that He loves us!

Give Praise and Glory to God today and everday!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

None of us totally get it...do we?

Job 32 - 34

We have listened to the older friends of Job and Job up until today and today we have this younger man that ask, if he may speak now.  He is wiser in some of his thoughts, but he doesn't totally get it either.

Over and over for days we have read the thoughts of these men and half truths have often times been shared or a word here or there inner and among untruth.  How often do we lead others wrong?  How often are we sure that what we share lines up with God's Word?  After all, this is the TRUTH!

The younger man was smart enough to realize especially in chapter 32 early on that God was the only one for wisdom.  It is about the relationship with God.  I loved 32:4 today ~

For the Spirit of God has made me and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

We are nothing without God!  Life is meaningless and useless and so many of the other things we have heard through JOB.  God gives us the answers and the true meaning to life and He will give it to us is amazing, astounding ways, if we are listening, pursuing, and asking for His words of Wisdom to direct us!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Treasures?

Job 22 -25

No the legs are not mine, but when I remember the day that the LORD lead me to read the Bible cover to cover I found treasures!  Hidden treasures just for me!

You ask how can I say that, well it's true!  They are hidden just for me in the moment I need them and they are for you too!  Read it for yourself and find those spine chilling moments that you know Our God is speaking directly to you!  It happens and it is awesome!

People think I'm crazy when I share how reading God's Word turned my life around, but it is so true.  I was already a believer and loved the LORD, but the relationship was missing.  Once I picked up His Word began to truly know God through His Word and how He truly speaks through different verses at different times it became my treasure!  I do indeed hunger for it more than a meal - yes even my hamburger and french fries!

Today's hidden treasure for me was in Job 23:12 - 

I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food.

Daily I make mistakes and in that way I am different from Job, but like Job I treasure His Words!  Give yourself the gift of daily reading His Word for you!  Don't let someone else spoon feed you, read it for yourself!  The word you need is more than likely something totally different from the spoon feeder!  God loves each of us uniquely, so find your treasured word He intends for you today!  Read His Word!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Hope springs forth

Job 19 -21

Honestly, it is very hard to read Job day after day for me.  I find verses that speak to my heart, but I get so angry with the friends, tired of the moans and groans of Job (and who would not be moaning and groaning with all that he faced, but what human wants to continually listen) After, all we are human and we fail.  We fail to be what we should be for that friend that needs to moan and groan instead we act like the friends in the the book of Job.  We offer unwanted, sometimes stupid words of our own wisdom.  Which quite honestly isn't very wise a lot of the time. 

Sometimes, I find myself grasping for hope daily in this story just like I seem to find myself at times right now!

I turn on the television and it looks and sounds just like the book of Job!  I listen to groups of people and it sounds a lot like the book of Job!  So, what is a girl to do?  Look deeper in God's Word, listen closer, and He will show you that Word you need to cling to Hope!

Job 19:25 - 27 speaks to this thought of what each of us needs to cling to and remember! Also, shout it from the top of our voices to anyone that will listen, because we do have HOPE!  We have a Redeemer!

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.  And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God!  I will see him for myself.  Yes, I will see him with my own eyes.  I am overwhelmed with the thought!

Praise the LORD and put your hope where it belongs with God!  Our hope is not with our leaders, our family, our friends, no it is with Our Redeemer and this will get all of us through the day!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

You go girlfriend! You go friend!

Isn't he adorable?  Happiness shining through and through!  Clapping for himself or someone else and he loves it!

I don't know about you, but those of you reading with us daily know we have been in Job several days and it is difficult reading.  Job had these 3 friends show up supposedly to support him and wow they have been a bunch of downers!  Pointing out what Job must have done for God to do this to Job and thinking they know everything.  

Finally, today I found it a little bit of a release when Job finally said wait a minute if I were in your shoes I would encourage you!  Finally wait just a minute!  It's real easy to sit over there with no sores all over you, no your family is still all okay while I sit here alone in pain not understanding and if I were sitting where you were I would help you out with encouragement rather than focusing on my wrongs that must have caused this situation!

Today, we read Job 16 -18 and the verse that touched me is in Job 16: 5 which says "But if it were me, I would encourage you.  I would try to make away your grief."
Imagine the pain of just wanting his friends to give him a little hope; instead they bring more grief!  How often is this us?  

Today, find someone to encourage with a word of hope, a smile or perhaps a big round of clapping!  I imagine it will even change your own day!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Wisdom

  Job 12, 13, and 14

Job wanted answers and his friends were busy offering their opinions, but Job was smart enough to know...who had the answers!  It was not his friends or so called friends...

Job 12:13 spoke beautifully to God's wisdom and still speaks to all of us today...

But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.

When are we going to get this fact?  Quit looking to others and look to God for your answers. 

Pray today that our leaders here and around the world will look to God for the answers.  Pray that we will all look to God for answers!  

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Leaning on a spider's web?

Job 8 -11

Explanations that imply God is something He isn't and responses that He is less than He is...that is my summary for today's reading!

That is what jumped at me today with the reading.  We think we have it and then oops not at all just like Job's friends and then we are like Job in that we try to put God in a box and not even a very big box so we can try to understand Him rather than just believing Him!  Once we accept that we will never understand Him because He is so much more than we can grasp we are on the right path!  His ways are not ours and for this I give Him thanks!  

One of my favorite verses from today's reading was from Job 8:14

Their confidence hangs by a thread.  They are leaning on a spider's web.

We will hang on to whatever makes us feel safe even though many times it is not any sturdier than a spider's web!  God is all that is secure the rest is fleeting!

Today rest in God and God alone!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The tasteless white of an egg...

Job 5 - 7

Sometimes we might just need to sit and keep our mouths shut!

Wise words we think, but are they like it says in Job 6: 6-7

Don't people complain about unsalted food?

Does anyone want the tasteless white of an egg?

My appetite disappears when I look at it; 

I gag at the thought of eating it!

Don't you know that Job might have wanted to stuff a sock in the mouth of Eliphaz?  Perhaps you have wanted to stick a sock in my mouth when I've offered advice that I thought sounded good, but in reality was way off base...

Sometimes we just need a friend to sit quietly offering compassion just by being with us!  No words, nothing but being there.

Today, let's just be quiet offering our friends the gift of our just being!

Be with Your Best Friend, Your Savior, Your Comforter and allow Him to offer the words that only He can give that Heal...

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Why?

Job 1 -  4

Why?  How often do you hear a child ask the question why do it that way?  Why are we going this way?  Why? Why? Why?  The eagerness to learn of a child is beautiful.  The photo speaks to the question I think.  The little child is wondering why am I sitting here among these plants...good question, but it is a cute photo!

Why?  Many of us go through life wanting all the answers, in fact demanding answers.  Even times when perhaps the answers are absolutely none of our business, but we make it our business.

I found it so timely that Job was the reading today for me.  The last two days I've watched like many of you the Lance Armstrong interview and the young man from Notre Dame and his situation and I've heard why over and over.  Tears ran down my face watching Lance Armstrong try to explain bad choices, lies and his world crumble around him and I'm afraid he may not know the answer yet.  I'm not sitting in judgment of him, because I make my own bad decisions and don't have to explain them on national television for my nephews and nieces to deal with...I cried for his children.  The moment he spoke of his Luke you could tell his heart broke and that is the moment it should break, but do you think he realized His heavenly Father's heart was breaking as well and was our heart breaking for Lance for the same reason?  My prayer is that Lance will find His Father now, His Heavenly Father.  I ask that all of us cover this family with prayers for healing and for Lance's salvation. I don't excuse him, but he is human and he rode and rides a bike!  We are the ones that made him into something he wasn't - not him. Oh yes he took the ride and believed it all himself, but in his heart he knew.   He went on the ride that the world gave him and he fell off the bike!  So many bigger issues and that is for this young man's salvation!  My heart broke because he doesn't know God.  He tells you so and this is what should break our heart!

I woke up picked up God's Word and began to read Job.  The story of a man that God calls in Job 1 "the finest man on earth.  He is blameless-a man of complete integrity.  He fears God and stays away from evil."  Wow, such words that God said about Job!  The devil says well why not he's got the perfect life.  You protect him.  It's easy to be good.  Well, the thing that just struck me right off was Job knows God!    Is knowing answers more important than knowing God?  Nope!  What matters is that each of us know God and trust God with the answers!

It was so timely to receive this message from the LORD!  A reminder that I don't need all the answers of why we humans mess up it is more important to help make Jesus known to all!  I want to pose a question to each of you that might be reading this blog today - If a person doesn't know God isn't it really easy to fall prey to the bad choices?  After all, don't we still fall prey and we know God and yet we make bad choices at times?  The hope in this dark world does not rest with any of us it rest with Jesus and we are to help spread this message to all the people in this world and not to forget that we are humans and let those that are totally innocent cast the first stone.

Father, it is my prayer today that we share You with others and leave judgment to You!  Father forgive me when I make bad decisions that I will hear you say "NO, Debbie and make the right choice".  Thank you Father that I do hear your voice through Your Word, through others, through You just surrounding me with Your Amazing Love and Grace!  Father, open my eyes to share You with those that need to hear about You and your amazing grace!  Indeed, it is so sweet the sound of words of your amazing grace that saves a wretch like me.  Amen

Love,

Debbie

Until the coming of the one to whom it belongs...

Genesis 47: 28-31, 49, 50

The death of Jacob and Joseph were the story today, but the attention getter to me was the blessings that Jacob gave each of his sons.  

Reuben you are my firstborn, my strength...unruly as a flood, went to bed with my wife

Simeon and Levi two of a kind, their weapons are instruments of violence.

Anger fierce, wrath cruel...

Zebulum will settle by the sea and ships will harbor here

Issachar is a sturdy donkey.Submit to hard labor.

Dan will govern people, will be a snake by the side of the road, a poisonous viper along the path.

Gad will be attacked by bands, but he will attack them when they retreat.

Asher will dine on rich foods and produce food fit for kings.

Naphatli is adoe set free and bears beautiful fawns.

Joseph is the foal of a wild donkey, Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him.  But his bow remained taut, and his arms strengthened by the hands of the Might One of Jacob, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,  May the God of your father help you; May the Almighty bless you; 

Benjamin is a ravenous wolf, devouring his enemies in the morning and dividing the plunder in the evening...I skipped Judah earlier because it was so special...

Judah, your brothers will praise you.  You will grasp your enemies by the neck.  All your relatives will bow before you.  Judah, my son, is a young lion that has finished his prey.  Like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness-who dares to rouse him?  The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from his descendants." until the coming of the one to home it belongs." the one whom all nations will honor.  He ties his foal to a grapevine, the colt of his donkey to a choice vine.  He washes his clothes in wine his robes in the blood of grapes.  His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth are whiter than milk...Isn't this beautiful?  The way our Messiah is shared right here in Genesis? 

The words used to describe the future of the world through these sons of Jacob are very powerful.  God is so good.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

God's Somebody...

Genesis 45:16, 46, 47: 1-27

I read today about Joseph and the family reunion.  Isn't it beautiful how God repairs the worst of family rifts, if we allow Him to?  The big word is "if"!

The whole reading just over and over was like a healing balm that anything is healed with the love of God!  Anything!  We are all empty until we allow Jesus to fill our holes with Himself!

I was lead to the most beautiful words this morning in Hosea 2:1 from the Message version of the Bible “Rename your brothers ‘God’s Somebody.’

It does not matter who are what we have done we are God's Somebody!  Remember the list of things this one family had done?  The list was long, but God still counted them as somebody!  He alone will heal anything and make us somebody along the way His Children!

Remind people today that indeed they are God's Somebody as well as you!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Could stand it no longer...

Genesis 42 - 45

How long when you see someone from long ago wait to run and say hi?  I am always bursting at the seams to catch up, to know what is happening in their life and yet we see Joseph show amazing patience with the appearance of his brothers.  Don't you know he wanted every detail from home?  Updates on all the family especially his father and brother not just a tidbit, but details!

Surely that isn't just girls.  I know my brother wants to know what is happening with my sister and I when he isn't around.  He quizzes my mom and dad, so I would think Joseph would want details too.  After all, the last time he saw these men were when they had sold him to the men from Egypt and they went about their way.  Don't you know he wanted to know what else they might have been up to, since he left?  What perhaps they might have done to Benjamin?

We are told the Joseph wept a lot.  He was filled with emotion, probably mixed emotions, but never once did he forget what this whole experience had been about - it was about God's plans and not any of their plans!  In Genesis 45:8 the words Joseph shared were, "So it was God who sent me here, not you!"  Do we realize even when someone meant harm to us that perhaps it was a much bigger plan?  It just jumped off the page at me this morning that God might send us to a difficult spot for HIS PLANS, not our plans!  We are continually lead to believe in America that it is all about us, but it's not!  Never!  It is about God and like we talked about yesterday our life must point to Him for others to grasp this as well.  Joseph continually points to God.

Imagine, the joy, the reunion, the relief, the amazing family reunited with God being at the center!  God bringing healing to these brothers.  Picture it for yourself we are told in Genesis 45:15 that Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they all talked freely!  I imagine loud laughter, loud talking, wait Joseph till I tell you this story, wait listen to what happened with Benjamin, look at you Joseph the leader that all people are indeed looking up to even us your undeserving brothers.  Yet, finally we see!  God indeed plans ahead!  What a wonderful family reunion all provided by God!  Is there a reunion that perhaps needs to happen with someone in your life?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Who do you point to?

Genesis 40 and 41

Continually throughout the reading today Joseph always pointed towards God.  Never once did he forget who was interpreting the dreams.  Never did he try to take credit over and over he pointed to God.

Do we point toward God daily?  

Joseph waited two years to be remembered and when he was he still remembered it was God!

Today, remember it is God and point to Him! 

Thank Him for all things!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

I'm ready to go...

Genesis 37 - 39

Today, we read a lot about Judah, Joseph, and all the brothers.  We don't need to forget that these are families with all the problems that might entail right here in God's Word. Problems like each of us face at different times.

Over and over, I thought Joseph is really winding these boys up sharing the stories about his dreams with them.  After all, we are told that Jacob loved Joseph more and don't think for a moment that all the other boys did not realize it.  Their mother, Leah had lived for years knowing that Jacob loved their aunt more and now he also loved her son more.  Lots of feelings buried deep within each of them and then this special boy had to brag a little about his dreams to them.

Do you think he knew what he was doing?  Do you think he was just so excited he spouted it out without thinking?  Possibly, but possibly he was bragging a little bit too.  Now he was about to get humbled in a mighty big way and God would use all of this in His plans!

Imagine, all the feelings that went through Joseph in the bottom of that cistern and then being sold to traders from Egypt.  Humble isn't probably a big enough word to express all that Joseph was at the point he entered Egypt only to be purchased by a man named Potiphar.

Potiphar realizes these words The LORD was with Joseph in chapter 39 it is mentioned over and over that the LORD was with him.  I want those words, I desire those words, that others will simply look and know that THE LORD is with Debbie.  How about you?  The LORD is with _______________(insert your own name)  Doesn't that feel good?  Don't you want to claim that for yourself?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

That's fine with us!

Genesis 30:25-43. Genesis 31

When your hubby tells you it is time for something, do you reply that's fine?  No questions, no well have you thought about this?  Just, that's fine?

In today's reading, that is exactly how the two sisters, Leah and Rachel responded when Jacob told them it was time to return to his home according to the LORD.  A foreign land they knew nothing about other than they were going to take their fun family that begs to sleep with Jacob, even sending in their maids to sleep with him to one up the other sister is now going on the road.  I would think this would have even been more difficult to leave the comfortable place called "home" knowing that problems would even be bigger in a new place or would you join together?

I don't know, but they trusted Jacob.  Do you think it was because of the fact that they knew God was in this place leading the way?  I do!  I think they saw God's work surrounding them even when they were plotting and making schemes!  They saw God work and knew in their hearts that Jacob had indeed heard from the LORD about it was time to go!

Do we listen when God shares with our hubby the best plans for us?  Do we think we know the best way even when our spouse truly may have heard from the LORD just like Jacob?  Do we ever even consider that perhaps God spoke with Him and not with us on this particular matter?

Is today the day to perhaps answer, "that's fine"?

That's fine,

Debbie

Surely...

Genesis 28: 6-22, Genesis 29, Genesis 30 1-24

What things do you count on each day?  Who do you count on each day?

The verse today for me was found in Genesis 28:16 ..."Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it!"  How often is this us?  In this chapter it is Jacob, who just stole everything from his brother and he is running to save his own hide and yet the LORD met him in this place!  Do we grasp that the LORD meets us wherever we are? 

The LORD surrounds us all the time, but it is a matter of whether we listen, we take notice, we allow Him to speak to us, whether we grasp it or not!  Do we allow Him into our dreams like what happened here with Jacob?  

Imagine that you are Jacob for a moment.  He is running, alone, to an unknown place, in the middle of nowhere sleeping with a rock as a pillow, he was open to hear from God!  How often are we like Jacob facing huge problems in our life, but God shows up and we notice?  What about the times when we are moving along things are just fine surrounding us, so we forget to take notice?

Let's take notice everyday, not just the bad, but also the good days!  Because, Surely the LORD is in this place and I (insert your own name) wasn't even aware of it!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Plainly see...

Genesis 25: 27-34, 26, and 27

Totally grasping my attention today were these words...

Genesis 26:28 ..."We can plainly see that the LORD is with you...

Over and over the words roll in my head that these people plainly saw that the LORD was with Isaac.  What do people plainly see when they look at me?  What about you?

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people looked at you and they stated wow, I can see the LORD is with you?  I mean just by looking at you, that others  knew right off God is with you?  WE are suppose to look and act differently, but do?  Do we truly stand out and look different?  Is it plain for all to see or hidden by certain masks that we wear or that we hide behind?

This is what got me today!  I want people to plainly see that the LORD is with me!  

Also, I have to say that I always love to read about this family of Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau.  None of  us need to watch television to find drama; we just need to open up God's Word and read it.  We also need to realize that we all have hope, because of God's forgiveness and love shown through flawed people just like us!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The Lord Answered

Genesis 25, 1 Chronicles 1:28-34

Today, the whole thought that grabbed me was prayer works!  True, genuine pleading prayers work.  Look at first 21 in chapter 25.  We are told that Isaac pleaded with the LORD on behalf of his wife and the LORD answered the prayer.  When was the last time you or I truly pleaded with the LORD for someone else?  I mean your heart is truly breaking for someone else, so you take it to the LORD?  I know this, but sometimes  being human I just fall short.

Isaac knew the LORD, the LORD knew Isaac and He responded.  

We will not always get the answer we desire, but HE does answer the prayers!

Remember to pray for others today.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

P.S. Sorry no post yesterday, but some days it will be totally between you and the LORD as it will be with me!  After all, that is what matters its not what Debbie thinks that matters.  Love you all and pray for our new study that gets started today looking at the parables!

But God listened...keeping His promises!

Genesis 18 - 21:1-7

Throughout the reading for January 6 I kept being touched by the instances the God indeed listens...

We think we are battling situations alone, but we aren't He is right there listening and responding.  I think perhaps we just ignore His guidance, or perhaps laugh like Sarah did thinking how?

We find that the LORD was listening as Sarah laughed, He was listening as Abram interceded for Sodom and even the one, we find the LORD cares for all of us even the one.  He sent angels to get Lot and his family out.  Mercy was shown and yet we have Lot's wife looking back.  What?  Looking back?  Don't we all ask this question reading this story and yet don't we look back knowing it isn't good for us?  Think about it a minute...

The most touching words to me are in Genesis 21:1 ~ "The LORD kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what He had promised."  I cling to these words that indeed the LORD keeps His Word to each of us.  Cling to this and know in your heart that this is truth!

Clinging to God's Truth,

Debbie

Don't forget Monday's posting will be later in the day...talk then!

It's all your fault!

Genesis 15-17

Well I hate to admit what I felt the Spirit leading me to talk about today, but I will...since I have to be real and open.  Even with the not so nice things about me at times.  

Do any of you have trouble admitting when you are wrong?  Well I do.  Okay I said it.

Today's lesson was very profound for me with the story of Sarah and Abram, oh and Hagar!  Always this story just grabs my heart for so many reasons mostly having to do with not being able to have children and relating to Sarah, but the way she took matters into her own hands in this situation definitely differ from me.  I would never have ask another woman to sleep with my hubby and have a baby.  I mean really?  What woman is going to be able to handle this situation wisely?  Especially if you are not able to have a child you already have feelings of being less and then another woman stepping in and providing the gift you desire most in the world oh no not a good situation.  Always it amazes me though, when we decide to make a decision and then it isn't good we point the finger away from ourselves.

Yes, Abram was guilty, but he didn't set this whole situation up.  Sarai did.  She told him to and Hagar had no say whatsoever in the situation.  Yes, her attitude may have been changed after the experience for a lot of reasons.  Never once did Sarai think about the demand she placed on Hagar it was taking her husband a cup of coffee.  It was something so much more precious and she knew Abram loved Sarai and this was all about a child and nothing to do with her. 

Yet, Sarai is quick to point the finger in verse 5 at Abram with these words, "This  is all your fault!  I put my servant into your arms, but now that she's pregnant, she treats me with contempt.  The LORD will show who's wrong-you or me!"  Well, they both took matters into their own hands and I have to admit sometimes I do this along with pointing the finger at someone else when it doesn't work.  Hagar may not have even wanted a child.  A child that she was going to have whether she wanted it or not and into a situation she knew was not going to be a good thing.  So yes she may have had a bad attitude.  We or at least I need to learn to admit my mistakes and to give more thought to decisions that have big consequences in the end!  God's timing is not ours, but we must wait because He does keep His promises!

Blessings,

Debbie

P.S.  I will post later today the writing for tomorrow's reading since I will be on the road heading home and Monday's writing will be posted later in the day after my return home...Pray for safe travels on our trip home.

Defeating Our Enemies! Go! Fight! Win!

Genesis 11 - 14, 1 Chronicles 1:24-27

Do you like to win the games you play?  Do you pull for your team even in the bad years and just want to pull off the upset?  Do you want to win that Scrabble game with a big word?

Most all of us have that desire deep within to win the battles that might be facing us.  I don't know your battle whether it is with weight, self-esteem, pride, worry, illness, oh this list could go on and on because most of us are facing some battle at almost every point of our journey.  Some battles are bigger than other battles, but we will not win even the smallest battle without God being number one in our life.  We don't win the battles!  God does!

Now seriously, I'm not talking about ballgames that we blow way out of portion a lot of the time, but I'm talking about the battles of life.  The serious battles!  Who do you want to battle a loss with the LSU or Arkansas mascot?  Not me!  Those of you that know me, know I am a huge Razorback fan, but I know that isn't going to get me anywhere in reality. Other than a Woo pig or did you see that girl pat on the back!  No the big battles are won when we realize like Abram did who really wins the battles!

In our reading today, it struck me that Abram realized every time the LORD ask him to do something and he did it that the LORD kept His promise.  Abram would immediately build an altar!  All through the reading today, Abram remembered to build an altar, dedicate it to the LORD, and worship!  Abram remembered that God did it all and he was just the person that made the decision to trust God and take the steps God directed him to take.  What did Abram get?  Everything God promised him!  Over and over we see God keeping His promises.  Who else do you know that always keeps His promises?

I know some of you are responding with but I ask God for healing and I didn't get it?  I ask God to help me find a job and I didn't get it.  I ask God to ...all of our list look differently, but He doesn't tell us that He will always give us the answer we want!  What we want may not be what is best for us according to God's Plan for our life.  It is about our obedience to Him not the other way around.  I haven't always gotten the answer I prayed for and it hurts.  Many of you know that many, many years ago I desperately prayed for a baby and I did not get the answer that I desired for this prayer.  It broke my heart. I was angry, I was hurt after all I looked around and in my estimation many babies were born to people that I didn't think they could even care for them, so I ask why? (not to mention I was judging other situations.  Terrible when God convicted me on this one.)  It wasn't for me to question, but I did.  Many years later God did answer the why to my question, but it was after I truly turned my life over to Him and His desires for my life and not my own desires or my own way.

God desires our obedience, our trust, and our willingness to let go and give it all to Him.  So we must be ready to follow where God tells us to go!  My favorite part of today's ready was found in Genesis 14 after Abram had defeated Kedorlamoer's army and the king of Salem came out to greet Abram along with a priest of God Most High that Abram was given this blessing found in verse 19...

Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, And blessed be God Most High,

who has defeated your enemies for you.

God will fight our battles, if we remember exactly who God is...we must remember He is the one with our worship and praise, our lives shine because HE is shining through us, and everyone sees Him in us knowing He is the ONE not us!  WE must point everything in our life to Him!   So today, choose to point to Him!

Knowing Who Truly Wins My Battles,

Debbie

Whose timing God's or our own?

Genesis 7 - 10 and 1 Chronicles 1: 8-23

I always imagine this scene of Noah building the ark and everyone standing at the corner of the yard (close enough to see and gossip, but not too close to be with this really strange man) all the time Noah is being obedient hard at work.  It went on for a long time.  Lots of talk, lots of name calling, lots of laughter all directed in Noah's direction.  I wonder was Noah ever tempted to just say it's not going to happen and step away from this crazy ark building?  I don't think he was tempted, because we read that God saw that Noah alone was righteous!  Wow!  He did not listen to all the nay sayers surrounding him and we all know they were standing there saying Noah get a grip, what are you doing?  Mrs. Noah, did you make him appointment with a doctor yet?  We all hear the nay sayers that surround us and try to plant seeds of doubt, yet Noah was strong and believed!

The most touching thing to me was that when God saw the ark was finished in Genesis 7 he told Noah to go into the boat.  Noah listened and did what he was told.  Once they were on the boat it was 7 more days before the rain even started.  God is never too late!  He knows the right time for each of us to move in obedience and he does direct our steps.  It's just a matter of whether we are obedient like Noah or we are left standing on dry ground that will be flooded in a few days.  God warned the people.  God allowed Noah to build that boat right out in public for all to see and ask questions.  Yet Noah was the one that God stated in Genesis 7:1:  ...I can see that you alone are righteous.  Noah alone.  

Also, it always, always hits me that God shuts the door on the ark and then in Revelation 3:20 we are told if we will open the door He will come in!

God closes doors that we need shut sometimes, but He will come in if we allow Him to!  We are told He goes before us.  

Remember today it is about God's timing and not our own,

Debbie

Walking, but how?

Genesis 4 - 6 and 1 Chronicles 1: 1-4

How are you walking?  Is it slowly?  Are you walking with a little pep in your step?  If someone takes a look around at you, while you walk do they know by looking that you are walking in close fellowship with God?

My eye-catching phrase in the reading today was found in Genesis 5:24 ~ walking in close fellowship with God.  Then  one day he disappeared, because God took him.  Enoch is the man the verse is talking about and the man, Moses is writing about here.  Keep in mind that Moses is the assumed writer of Genesis, so the law is very important to him.  Enoch is a man that walked close to God according to the Word and escaped the curse of death because God took him!  I have always been fascinated with these words about people in the old testament about what this actually means and we don't know for sure, but most commentaries believe it is referring to the close relationship the people had with God and that their life reflects it because of their actions!  Back to the old adage actions speak louder than words!

Today, I am pondering about walking in close fellowship with God!  Beautiful that Our Savior wants this relationship with each of us!

What was your special word this morning?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

In His Own Image

Our reading today is Genesis 1 - 3.

Our reading started with In The Beginning God it is important beginning this journey to know it is about being with God, sharing the time with God, and developing a closer relationship with God.  I don't care how close we think we are there is always room to grow closer and closer to Our Father!  So God was there in the beginning and He is with us now!  Treasure your special moments with God sharing with you exactly what He wants to visit with you about as I will what He shares with me.  Our journeys are unique to each of us, but He might use one of us to speak to another.  Please don't be shy about commenting because you might be the one used to help someone else!

I've so anticipated starting this journey again and been so excited about it and my first reminder from the LORD that He was there before anything and I am still here, Debbie.  Look to me and no others look where it got Eve.  I was struck in Genesis 1:27 with the words So God created human beings in his own image.  In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  Yet in chapter 3:5 the serpent is talking to Eve and he says these words to Eve "God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.  Why did Eve fall for it?  She was already created in the image of God she was already like God and yet she still wanted more!  It was like she wanted to be God.  Do we always think we need to know more?  Does it show lack of faith when we continue to ask rather than trust God knowing He is in control?  Don't we need to walk by faith not by sight like it tells us in Corinthians?  

I want to close our first day encouraging each of you to please share.  I know that God will use each of you to speak to me and I want to hear the words that He has for me, so please share!  I know others feel the same way, so don't be shy!  Speak up for Jesus!  Let's take this awesome journey together growing and sharing with Our Lord and with each Other!

Happy New Year,

Sweet Blessings and let's enjoy the adventure through God's Word,

Debbie