Cry out for help!

First, Let's rejoice ~ He Is Risen!  He Is Risen Indeed!

Reading this morning I felt so reminded of how many times we turn our back, but the moment we realize we are in trouble, we shout LORD Help me!  The Lord hears and the Lord answers sometimes not the way we desire, but He does respond!  In today's reading, he rescued them several times even though they turned their backs several times!  God is good!  God is good all the time!

Today is Easter do you need rescuing?  Shout out LORD, Help me!  He will save you!

Praise the LORD!

Cling tightly

When I read the words this morning from Joshua 23, sharing about his final thoughts to the people he had been leading the words that just spoke to me were ~ "Rather, cling tightly to the LORD your God as you have done until now."  The people had witnessed so much that God had done for them and they had not taken their eyes off of Him.  They were close.  They were believers.  

What do you think was going through their mind at this moment?  Were they still filled to the brim with believing or was little bit of fear inching in with Joshua's upcoming departure?  Anytime change is in our sight line it is like the fear begins to slowly build and even after witnessing the great victories of the LORD they were human like us and well what do we do?  We witness miracles and slowly when we take our eyes off the LORD what happens?  Fear builds....and builds...and builds...until we place our eyes squarely right back on the LORD!

Cling tightly today and always to the LORD,

Debbie

Trust

I've mentioned before about a wonderful book that I have been reading and once again I want to share a few words about trust written by Keri Wyatt Kent in her new devotional book Deeply Loved.  The book is fantastic and it really encourages each of us to a deeper relationship with Our Savior with helpful tips and thought provoking steps at the end of each topic on how to practice the new thought perhaps.

A few of the words that Keri shared on trust really touched my heart and got my mind rolling.  Keri asked the question, "Do I trust?" and went on to say this powerful paragraph ~

"To trust is to admit that you are not God, that you cannot control the outcome of situations, that you will show up, listen hard to your calling, do the work, and open your hands.  It is the hardest way to live, and yet, the most exhilarating."  Keri is right!  Working with women I would hazard a guess that 95% of women struggle with control issues.  Oh, a lot of women don't admit it, but just sit back and watch and it all comes back to trying to control our situations that surround us!  We have to let go to truly trust and God wants us to let go!

Also, Keri discusses that during the difficult times we must look at the blessings that surround us even in the difficult time and this allows us to trust!  Keri suggested that you write down all your worries right now and then make a list of all the things you are grateful for and it will help us to give thankgsiving.

Just a few of the powerful thoughts on trust that spoke to my heart from Keri's book.  I was given this book to give this review, but I have since purchased it for the ministry to provide for women that want a more intimate walk with the LORD.  It is fabulous!  You may purchase the book through amazon.com and begin a journey that will draw you closer to the LORD!

Trusting,

Debbie

Don't ever be...

Joshua 10 - 12

Joshua was a wonderful man of God!  He believed the things that the LORD told him and He proceeded accordingly.  He encouraged his followers.  He disciplined his followers.  He loved his followers.  He pointed to the true Leader at all times.

What kind of leader are we?  When someone you care about is down and needs encouragement what words of advice do you offer?  Perhaps words like these would be great...

Joshua 10 ~ Don't ever be afraid or discouraged.  Be strong and courageous, for the LORD is going to do this to all your enemies."  Now in  this particular instance Joshua killed their enemies, maybe if you are fighting a hard battle with an addiction this is a verse for you to claim.  Allow the LORD to help you do this to the enemy!  We all fight demons/battles and perhaps we need to allow God to help us put it behind us!  He will allow us to conquer our enemies!  We must believe Him and lead with the faith, courage, and total obedience just like Joshua!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Destruction

Joshua 7 -9

Today, the words found in Joshua 7 ~ For now Israel has been set apart for destruction.

All that kept going through my mind is ~ Is this where we the U.S. is right now?  Are we set apart for destruction?  After all, we are setting our own laws without any regard to His Word!

We must admit where we are like the Israelites did, so that God will not leave us to ourselves!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

The Walls Came Tumbling Down

Joshua 3 - 6

Today's reading is always one that I love to read!  I love to be reminded of God's Power, God's Amazing Grace, and just who the great I Am truly is!

Yes, is!

Imagine yourself witnessing this week in time.  The men marching around these mighty walls built to keep the Israelites out.  These people or at least the king thought they could stay within those walls for years without opening the gates.  They had food and water and they built the walls for just this time.  They had heard the stories remember Rahab knew of God's Power, so don't think for a moment that the entire town of Jericho didn't know as well.  Some knew God was the Great I Am like Rahab others believed in their idols and their small king..yes with a little g and little k!

I think of the fear inside those walls.  How?  When?  Why?  What will happen next?  Where will we end up?  Go ahead what questions would you be asking?  

The people of God were surrounding you one time a day marching with the Ark, no sounds except the the horns as they marched.  Don't you think the fear would have been mounting each day with the sound of those horns?  Then the unending sound of silence in the air?  Would it not be unnerving?  We are so use to sounds in our society that it would have put all of us right over the edge, but even these people knew something was coming they just weren't sure when, where, or how!

Then on that 7th day, the long blast came...don't you know they knew something was different immediately even before the walls started collapsing around them.  It was different and they were aware of every sound and suddenly something different with the long blast.  Their mighty walls just collapsed right around them, some of them crushed with the wall and they knew immediately don't you think exactly who the Great I Am truly was and still is?

In verse 27 of chapter 6 the words that just touched my heart among many today ~ So the LORD was with Joshua, and his reputation spread throughout the land.

Because of God the people knew who Joshua was!  Today people search for fame in ways that should be unimaginable!  Why not just follow God's Word like Joshua and allow God's Glory to shine through you and watch Him do all the amazing things that only He is able to provide!

Wow, God is so Amazing!  Amazing on this day in Jericho, but still today in our time!  Yes, wherever you are God is working and doing amazing things!  Are you sharing His amazing works with others?  Share His stories today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Know or don't know?

Deuteronomy 33 - 34, Joshua 1 and 2

Today, was a sad goodbye to a loyal servant of God ~ Moses.  Moses is someone in God's Word that I love he is sincere, yet doubted.  Honest, yet fearful.  A man that was a little bit like everyone of us and yet God loved him very much again just like us!  Hope is restored through people like Moses.  One of the most touching passages is when Moses died and we are told the LORD buried him.  The LORD took care of Moses!  

I always love the story of Rahab.  Yes, a woman that lived a life of entertainment so to speak.  Yet she knew  the LORD had given the Israelites this land.  She didn't witness the LORDS Work yet, she only had heard about it yet she knew in her heart that her land was the LORD'S.  No doubt in her and she helped God's people!  She is such a testament of God's amazing grace and love!  She wasn't surrounded by the amazing works that God showed His people, yet she knew HIM!  Do we?

In the picture the young lady is pointing upward with a smile saying She knows!  Do we know who God is and do we believe like Rahab did?  Are we saved just like Moses and Rahab because of God's grace and His love?  It is my prayer that we all are able to respond with YES WE KNOW HIS AMAZING LOVE!  If you are reading this and you don't pick up His Word, the Bible and allow Him to show you just how much YOU matter to Him!  He loves you enough that He sent His Son to Die for us ~ because of our sins!  He provided the way that we may spend eternity with Him!  He indeed loves each of us more than we are able to comprehend, but it is enough that Rahab a woman, that lived in a land that served many foreign idol gods knew in her heart that there was only ONE TRUE GOD, THE GREAT I AM!  She knew, do you?

Yes, LORD I know that you indeed are the Great I AM!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ears to hear...are we truly listening?

Well, if you are following the reading in the Bible today we read Deuteronomy 26 - 28 and it covered a lot of territory about curses, commands, laws, obedience and blessings if we obeyed.  Over and over the past several weeks I have been hearing the words are you listening?  

I saw the photo above and this is a little bit like I've felt.  I've got my ears open (or so I think) to hear, but the words don't come.  I've felt overwhelmed, I've felt less than I should be, I've felt okay I've got this under control and finally I just gave up and admitted okay LORD I'm listening, but I don't get what you are saying.

I still don't know that I've gotten it, but I've admitted it!  

In the quiet of my heart I ask the question Lord where are you in my story, in my journey, in my next step?  Am I taking the steps you desire or the ones that I desire and you know what I've discovered?

I've found that the LORD wants to spend time truly with me.  Yes not doing anything, but being together in silence.  Have you noticed in our world how loud it is?  We are even comfortable if we don't have noise going between the radio, the television or to sit in quiet is unheard of!

I noticed how often it says that Jesus went out alone to practice solitude, to be with His Father just count these times for yourself.  Jesus would pull off alone to pray and listen to His Father, if Jesus needed to do this ,don't we?

I read this quote by Ruth Barton that really struck a chord with me and maybe it will you too!

"The practices of solitude and silence are radical because they challenge us on every level of our existence.  They challenge us on the level of culture:  there is little in Western culture that supports us in entering into what feels like unproductive time for being (beyond human effort) and listening (beyond human thought).  They confront us on the level of our human relationships: they call us away from those relationships for a time so we can give undivided attention to God."

We sometimes call our study time our alone time with God, but are we listening when we have out dozens of commentaries, or dozens of questions from our study to answer?  All of this is good, but the alone time is something we need to consider as well.  The time to just be with God and God alone and listen with our ears wide open for His Words so that we are better able to follow His desires, His commands, and to receive His blessings as well.

Thank you Father for opening my ears once again,

Debbie

Don't go back...

Deuteronomy 21 - 25

Sometimes we are suppose to leave things behind us...listen to this from Deuteronomy beginning in verse 19

When you are harvesting your crops and forget to bring in a bundle of grain from your field, don't go back to get it.  Leave it for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.  Then the LORD your God will bless you in all you do.  When you beat the olives from your olive trees, don't go over the boughs twice.  Leave the remaining grapes for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.  Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. That is why I am giving you this command.

Remember we need to leave things behind us and allow God to use all of it!  

He will use the things we leave behind for others and us!

God is amazing!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

BOOK REVIEW ~ Dancing Upon Barren Land by Lesil A. Westfail

Dancing...

I have to admit the title grasp my attention after all that is how I've felt since God profoundly changed my life, after I knew I would never have children of my own!  So, imagine the surprise when I read the title of Lesil's book on exactly the same topic.  One never imagines when you are experiencing the land of infertility that you will ever dance again, but through God's guidance we can!

I want to ask each of you to watch this video 

this video

The video speaks to all women that have walked this very difficult path and also tells you more about this wonderful, little book.  It is not too big that you will think I'll never get through it and yet it offers big hope for healing!  I encourage you to read the book if you are walking the infertility path, if you minister to women that are suffering with this "illness" yes it is just as big as other illnesses and often times not understood by others, you have a daughter or friend that is in the throes of infertility this book will help provide insight.  It will help you understand the pain, the longing, the why me that your loved ones are dealing with and all the decisions that must be faced to take the next step in their journey.

I loved the portion on the prayers and scripture that speaks to different topics of the journey.  One of these that touched my heart was the one of jealousy/envy because I felt this so strongly and it is difficult to admit.  I remember getting the phone calls of the happy news and trying so hard just to get through the phone call. before I would break down in tears.  I was happy for them, but it would bring my pain right back to the surface.  It reminded me that comparison in any situation will only bring pain!  

About Dancing Upon Barren Land: 

When experiencing infertility, the unexpected happens. Your feelings about yourself and your relationship with others and your belief in God are confused and complicated. Dancing Upon Barren Land - Prayer, Scripture Reflections, and Hope for Infertility is a helpful companion for those dark, lonely days.

*Specific Prayers Topics and Supporting Scripture 

*Helpful Truths to Living Life While You Wait 

*Supporting Ideas for Family Members or Friends 

*Resource Aid for Ministry Leader 

Link to buy the book: http://ow.ly/ivTbR    

Meet Lesli:  

  

Lesli is no stranger to infertility. She has experienced all the range of emotions, the prodding of doctors, and the stinging disappointments. Yet through it all she's found significance offering hope and inspiration to the wounded heart of the barren soul. Through her own experience and those shared from others, an online ministry was created Dancing Upon Barren Land ~ Spiritual Nourishment for the Infertility Road. Now she speaks to women around the world through the website and leads locals support groups too, along with providing a resource through this book. Lesli enjoys life. She loves spending time with her husband, Larry, her man of faith and live-in comedian. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and traveling, especially road trips. Most of all, her passion is sharing God's love and teaching the Bible to women, inspiring beleif there's healing for the grief of infertility and sorrow from loss, and there is joy in the journey while we wait.

Find out more about Lesli at http://dancinguponbarrenland.com/

I will share this easy to read, but filled with hope to women that walk this difficult rocky road, because like Lesli ~ I am dancing again!  God provides the way to dance even when the ground is barren!  He provides the Light and He uses people like Lesli to show that we do heal and we do dance again!

Share this with your loved one that suffers in the truest sense of the word with infertility, because it will help to bring hope and love back into her life!

Dancing again myself,

Debbie Covington

This book was given to me for this review.

Not just a piece, but the whole heart!

Deuteronomy 6 - 9

Today, for me the reading had me at Deuteronomy 6: 4 - 9 so very powerful and so very meaningful for our life!  God doesn't want a small piece of our heart He wants it all!

Love with all our heart, all our souls, and all our strength!  And commit to the commands with our Whole heart. All of us!

God gives His ALL to us, so why should we not give Him our ALL?

Not a piece, but ALL!

Blessings,

Debbie

Boundaries

Numbers 34 -36

"...these will be the boundaries."

Today it struck me that even though God gives us boundaries to acknowledge and live by, He still gives us way more than we need or could possibly use.  I read the footnote in one of my Bibles and also commentary on this passage and learned that the Hebrew people did not reside on all the land that God designated.  He gave them way more than they lived on.

God gives us way more than we can possibly imagine or even comprehend!

We serve a Mighty God that is so huge, we just can't grasp Him and I give thanks to Him that He is all of that and more!  God is Mighty Indeed!

Actually, God gives us boundaries, but we are the ones that set the limits.  We limit ourselves it's not God!

Today, think outside the lines.

In fact, I like to tell people color outside the lines!  Its fun!

Blessings,

Debbie

Take a stand...

Numbers 27 - 29

I always love the story about the "daughters of Zelophehad".    These ladies exhibited such amazing strength and boldness to go before the leaders for what they believed was right.

It's difficult enough for women to take a stand even in today's time without knowing we have it all together and we are right, but in this time when women were not suppose to be voicing opinions it's amazing!  Yet these daughters knew in their hearts that their father had not rebelled and they deserved to have his belongings, so they were willing to be bold and "endure" (original meaning) going before the leaders.

Women willing to take a stand for what was right even a very long time ago.  What will we learn today from these special women?  Will we stand for what is right?  Will we petition leaders to hear the truth?  Will we learn from these special women that took a stand a very long time ago?

Let's stand today for truth and what is right!

Standing for Him,

Debbie

Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes

Numbers 22 -24

Do you think God ever just wants to yank our eyes open or that He might have put a zipper on our eyes to open and close them, so He could say SEE!

Sometimes when we finally realize it is almost that duh left in our brains!

Balaam's poor donkey wanted to open his master's eyes after all he was taking a beating for protecting him.  How often are we just like Balaam the truth is right in front of us and yet we do not see?

Open my eyes that I may see today!

Blessings,

Debbie

I have handed them over to you...

Numbers 20 -22

Moses was assured victory in Numbers 22:34 ~ "Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land."

God wants to give us victory over our sins!  He will, if we trust and believe!  

Let go, give it to Him and celebrate the victory in Him and because of Him!

Celebrating victory,

Debbie

Always remember God will give you victory it may not look the way you envision, but it is much better!

But the very next morning

Numbers 16 - 18

I felt like "one of those mumbling Israelites" this morning!  Which is not good!

I was reading and just awed by God's power of having the earth swallow up the men speaking against Moses.  Moses quickly had the people get away from the tents of these men to save them and warned them not to touch anything that belonged to them and no sooner than he got them away safe God had the ground open up.  These people witnessed this amazing situation and yet the very next morning they started muttering again!

How often do we give something to God and yet the next morning or even the next moment we start all over again?  Am I alone with my muttering?

Father, forgive me.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

To give hope

Numbers 6 and 10

'May the LORD bless you and protect you.

May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.

May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.

Oh, I've always loved these words.  I know many youth groups use this to close weekly and what a special treasure this blessing is!  

A blessing is suppose to give hope.  All of us could use a little more hope and this blessing gives us hope!

A blessing was to convey 5 things and wow they are special!

1) God would bless and protect them

2)  God would smile on them (be pleased)

3) be gracious (compassionate)

4) show His approval

5) give peace.

Encourage someone today with this special blessing!  As you move through your day remember that God loves you and He indeed cares about you!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie