God's Promises

Leviticus 25 and 26

Today, these words reminded me of God's love shown through His Promises to each of us...

I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so you will no longer be their slaves.  I broke the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk with your heads held high.

What is holding you down?  What is keeping you looking down rather than up?  Today, take God's hand and believe His promises that He is with you and He can handle anything that is keeping you a slave!  Look up and say Yes LORD!

Believe and take a walk with God!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Pleasing aromas and do not act like people in...

Leviticus 17 -19

Today, the words pleasing aroma to the LORD and So do not act like people in...You must not imitate their way of life pretty much got me right off the bat...

Why are these two so difficult to live?  I mean don't we want to be pleasing like this little girl with a sweet smile and happy?  Don't we want to look different than the ugliness of this world? 

I remember last summer returning home to a terrible smell in my home.  I was immediately struck when I unlocked the door that something was wrong.  I searched, I looked, and finally discovered a small water leak coming from the ice maker that well after leaking for several weeks while I was away made a terrible smelly mess!  I wanted to avoid it at all cost and no I was not smiling like this little girl.  It was not a pleasing aroma!

I want so desperately to have the beautiful aroma of this little girl.  Happy, smiling and set apart from the world.  I don't want to look like the world!  I want to look like Christ and unfortunately except for occasionally our world doesn't look like Christ.

Today, let's begin to make the steps to look and smell like Christ!  Let's be pleasing to Christ and not the world!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Right or Wrong?

Leviticus 7 - 8

Well, today's reading the words making you right with him jumped off the page at me.  Quite honestly, reading through Leviticus is a pretty tough read.  Details, details and these details were very important to God, but to humans like us ~ well we mess them up.  Did it say this or that? Sometimes leaving one word out makes what we are suppose to do a totally different thing....

Thanking Jesus today for the gift none of us deserve.  Jesus gave His life for my wrongs to make me right with God.  Absolutely no way could I be right with God without Jesus!

Today, we begin Lenten season.  Forty days of remembering exactly who Jesus is, what Jesus did for each of us and the wow of this amazing love!  Perhaps if you don't practice giving up something during lent, try something new read slowly through one of the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke or John and the beautiful story of Jesus during these Lenten days. Allow Jesus to work in your heart during the Lenten season and every other day of the year.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Wonderful book! Esther Royal Beauty by Angela Hunt

When I received this book in the mail for book review from Bethany House, I was immediately intrigued by the cover!  Isn't it beautiful?  Don't you want to know more immediately about Esther?  I did.

I found it refreshing and new.  Yes, did you catch the word new?  It was very different from any other fictional book based on the story of Esther and I loved it.  It was so real.  

Most of the time I love all fictional books based on the bible, because it opens my eyes to new possibilities and to think about the story and the people more.  It really got me going this time!  The story told through someone close to the king, his servant.  The servant closest to the king and Esther herself tell a beautiful story filled with drama, intrigue, mystery, and love.  A love that doesn't always bring "the happy ending" little girls always dream of, but of a much bigger, beautiful happy ending!

I don't want to give any of the plot lines away or the way Angela Hunt takes this story because she really takes you on a different journey.  At least for me, I found it very believable of a little girl (emphasis) little girl from a very different land taken to the castle for a very different lonely life at times.  Yet, she is made queen, but that doesn't bring all the fairy tale life one dreams of...such as sitting by a wall waiting for her sweet uncle on the other side just to hear the voice of a loved one close by, or the children of the king playing in her gardens, but none of them her own.  So much written so beautifully that you truthfully can't wait to turn the page to see how Angela will bring the beautiful story of Esther to the point of And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this.  (Esther 4:14)  

Order it now!  Amazon, your favorite bookstore I don't care.  Yes, it was given to me for a book review, but I will be purchasing it for myself for friends.  It is awesome!  

Angela Hunt book well done!  Angela will touch the lives of many with the story of Esther and how God places us at just the right place, at the right time to make a difference.

5 stars I promise!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Light shines forward

Numbers 8 - 9, Leviticus 1 -3

In my home church I have loved the altar recently, which many lamps have been placed on.  Some lamps on and some lamps are off on the altar, which really struck a chord with me.  Our lights shine at different times, we have ahh ha moments at different times, and we allow God to use us at different times.  Honestly, it has spoken to me every time I've been able to attend realizing how sometimes the light shines and other times it doesn't...the switch is ready for each of us to respond yes, but do we allow it to be turned?

Today, in Numbers God is very detailed with instructions about preparing the lamps so that their light shines forward in front of the lampstand.  I kept pondering and pondering and came to this Debbie thought ~ God shines through our the cracks in our past forward to the whole lamp being switched on to light the path!  God shines through it all, but really the path is shining when we respond with yes!

I've been struggling for a few months and quite honestly felt the light switch turn this past week.  A friend took me to lunch and gave me a beautiful book that spoke to my heart about ideas.  God used my sweet, honest friend with me in a way that I desperately needed and I feel I've finally turned a corner!  Thanks Jeanie for opening my eyes and helping me through.  I had a birthday this past week and so many of you helped me realize how blessed I am through your special ways of being a friend.  

Be the friend today that somebody needs!  Allow your light switch to turn!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Direct with authority

Exodus 37 - 39:31

Today, the words just as the LORD commanded was used over 6 times.  I counted 7 and may have missed some.  It got me to thinking...I know some of you don't like that to happen!  Oh well...

It's important when something is mentioned so many times.  Another thing it said to me is so many of us quit listening when the word commanded is mentioned nowadays...so we miss out!  Authority makes some people's backs go up and anger start just when it's mentioned.

I looked up the word in the original language and it means pretty much what you think lay charge, give charge and direct authority.  Well, I want to put some scenes in your mind that we appreciate someone directing authority...when the traffic lights quit working, when chaos breaks out, don't you look for a police officer or someone to protect you?  What about on an airplane, if something happens don't you look to someone who has authority?  What about if you are in trouble with anybody, don't you look to someone who knows more or has authority?

It gives me peace in my heart to look to a leader that will take charge!  I take comfort knowing that someone knows the path and is willing to lead.  

Over and over, we are reading that God indeed has a plan of action.  He expects it to be followed and HE leads the way.  Follow His path today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Give freely

Exodus 35 -36

Hearts stirred...

Spirits moved...

Came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord...

Prepared...

Willing...

Gave them freely to the LORD...

The people had given more than enough...

When will it be said of us that we have given more than enough?

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Out of sight...out of mind

Exodus 32 - 34

Okay, ever hear the old saying "out of sight ~ out of mind"?  Well, that is what kept going through my mind reading this morning.

Let Moses get out of sight and well let's just build us something to worship.  What?  Did I read that right?  Yep, I did.  The words exactly we don't know what happened to that fella Moses that brought us here, so let's build us gods that can lead us.  Simple enough right?

Sad state of affairs, isn't it?  Sounds  a little bit like some of us, if God doesn't answer me soon I will just do this...if God doesn't heal me soon I'll just...if God doesn't...

Are we not strong enough in our faith to have faith?

Sounds simple enough, but...

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow!  Claim it!  Learn it!  Live it!  Believe it!

Today, say this to yourself over and over until you begin to believe it!  God doesn't change we do!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Written by the finger of God

Exodus 29 -30

Today, the words found in chapter 30: 18 struck a chord ~

written by the finger of God.

Details were mentioned yesterday and details continued today being given by God to Moses for us to follow.  Important enough that this is the first time it is mentioned that they were written down and not only written down, but by God's own finger!  Important...

It reminded me of the story in John 8 about the woman caught in adultery that was humiliated in front of the crowd with her sin.  Men trying to trap Jesus in to saying anything they might use against him were throwing the woman out in front of everyone.  Jesus slowly knelt down and began to write in the sand with his finger.  Imagine, the scene.  Loud, demands being made, shame, self-righteousness, and Jesus begins to write in the sand.  Diffuses the situation a little, doesn't it?  Yet, it's important just like when God wrote the Ten Commandments.  

God is in the details.  

Forgiveness matters.

God is in charge and knows what matters with each one of us!  He is in the details and knows the details!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

God is in the details

Exodus 26 - 28

Today Exodus 25:40 struck a chord with me ~

Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain.

Details matter to God and so do His people.  Over and over in the reading today it is very detailed with instructions of how to do different things whether it is Aaron's clothing or the building of the tabernacle and altar God cares!  Today, I was reminded again of how important God's children of Israel are to Him as well.  I knew this, but I am reminded today by the details given on Aaron's ephod where the names of the tribes of Israel are engraved on as a reminder to the LORD everytime Aaron came before Him.  The chestpiece also had a stone representing the 12 tribes of Israel.  He wore this everytime he went to the Holy Place.  A constant reminder that he represented the people and he carried them over his heart!

We need to remember always just how important Israel truly is to God and to us!

One of my favorites today was the bells that tinkled on the robe Aaron wore when he ministered before the LORD.  The sound of tinkling when he went into or away from the LORD's company.  

I love that the LORD cares about every detail!  Do you catch it?  Read today's reading and it will remind you that indeed the LORD cares about every detail of our journey!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

One voice

Exodus 22:16 - 24

Exodus 24:3

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the LORD had given him.  All the people answered with one voice, "We will do everything the LORD has commanded."

How long has it been since a group of people you met with could have one voice?  

One voice...

Do you watch the tv show named ~ The Voice?  I love watching to see which talented person will have the voice to win.  Imagine, all of these people here in God's Word getting all the instructions and having one voice together.  Imagine, the celebration.  Wouldn't we want to celebrate together the same way, if we ever came together?

Together...doesn't it sound beautiful in our fragmented, torn world?

Today, pray that we will all come together with One Voice and follow God's instructions.

Blessings,

Debbie

Need rescued?

Exodus 20 - 22:1 - 15

Today, right off the bat the LORD got my attention ~

"I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery."

Are you in your own personal slavery?  Do you need rescued?  Well, the LORD is able to rescue you.  Pick up His Word and read it!  Pray.  Call a friend to ask questions or share.  Go to church tomorrow.  Ask a friend if you might go to church with them.  The LORD will rescue you just call out to Him and be saved.

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

In the morning...

Exodus 16 - 19

Moaning and complaining.  Really?  Seriously, they just saw the Red Sea parted along with all the other miracles they witnessed and yet they are really becoming crazy.  It must have been the sun or something...they are remembering pots filled with meat and bread yet they were slaves.  Slaves don't have pots filled and a life of luxury...yet suddenly things are looking really good back in the land of being a slave???? What?  Isn't it typical how we glamorous the past and we put on rose colored glasses to make it even better?

I love what the LORD told Moses.  "Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you...."  God is going to rain down food for all of them enough for everyone of them to eat all they want.  Imagine, when Moses shared the words in the morning you will see God's glory.  Imagine it for yourself.  You have already witnessed miracle, after miracle and Moses is telling you that you are about to see another...God is so good!  God is so good even when HE hears all of our moaning and complaining and not remembering reality...

Every morning we witness a miracle and see the Glory of the LORD!  

Enjoy the Sunrise or the Sunset and give thanks for witnessing HIS Glory!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Get moving!

Exodus 13 -15

I love the story today about the people being freed.  God doesn't take them on a direct path and that is so important, because our paths are not always direct either...sometimes we need the long way around to realize easy is not always better!  Anyway, when the Israelites arrive at the Red Sea and realize the Egyptians are chasing them  panic sets in. Then the beginning of  yelling Why?  Don't we do that too?  Why? Why?  

Don't you know poor Moses really felt like he knew the right answer and he replied.  Don't be afraid.  Stand still and watch God take care of  you today.  Not his exact words, but close.  He felt pretty calm telling people this after all God had done that this was the right answer, but well God's ways are not our ways, because in the next verse we see the LORD say, Why are you crying out to me?  Tell the people to get moving.  Don't you love it?  I do.  You think you know the answer and all along well not so much!

I just picture this scene in my head.  The people all standing demanding Moses give them the answer and he replies and then realizes that is not what God wants at all.  So, immediately they are told get moving.  How quickly do you respond when God tells you to get moving?  Sometimes I want to drag my feet and wait for God to rescue me and I'll just be honest about it and sometimes I realize God is waiting for me to show faith and get moving.  

The only way to know for sure is to listen to God.  He will direct our paths, but we must pay attention.  He will show the way.  He told me very directly one day to MOOOOOOOOVE through email.  Yes, I had prayed about whether I needed to move my office and felt Him directing me to move.  I thought very directly, but I don't move on the first time...second...but on the third I did.  The email was my third very direct answer.  It was really cool!

Look for your direction and movement today from the LORD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

So you will know...

Exodus 10 - 12

Exodus 10:2

I've also done it so you can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them-and so you will know that I am the LORD.

Don't you love the moments that you realize the LORD talked to you?  Those moments without a doubt that you realize the Great I AM is talking to little old you?  I do.

Are you sharing your moments about the things He is doing?  The moments when without a doubt it is Him answering your prayer and you know because only He could give you an answer!  I love those moments and you know what I love more?  Sharing them with other people and the look of wow...and you see it all over them that they want a moment too!  I love to gather with friends and we share these special times that only God provides.

Give thanks today for your special moments and then share them with someone that knows that the Great I Am is indeed LORD and still working amongst us right now!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Ignore everything

Exodus 7:25 - 9

Wow, aren't we just like the Pharaoh?  Oh, is it just me?

God gave Moses instructions again in Exodus about standing on the bank of the Nile taking the staff to once again with him to use in front of the Pharaoh.  So, Moses and Aaron are standing beside the Nile staff in hand, when they begin to tell the Pharaoh that God told them to tell him to "let His people go" and then to take the staff and hit the water, which will then turn to blood.  The fish will die and everything will stink.  The people no longer will be able to drink the water.  Aaron then will raise his hand over all the other waters turning them too.  They did everything just as instructed and well it happened.  

Then Pharaoh immediately turned from his ways and let the people go, right?  Nope!  We learn in verse 23 of chapter 7, that he returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind.  How?  How? 

Well, don't we feel the same way sometimes?  I know that I listen to the news and I know in my heart what God is warning us about through reading His Words, hearing sermons, and prayer, but it is as if I do just like Pharaoh did.  I return home and put the whole thing out of my mind!  Don't you?  It saddens me to be like Pharaoh, but if we take a look around, aren't we?  What are we standing for or against?  Does it line up with God's Word?  My word doesn't matter, but God's Word does matter!  I can tell you anything is alright,but it doesn't matter what I say. it matters what God's says. 

Why aren't we responding to things that we know are wrong?  Are we sharing of God's love?  Are we agreeing with everything the world is telling us and ignoring God?  It saddens me, but it seems like being politically correct is more important than truth.  We can't speak truth, we might hurt somebody's feelings.  Yet, over and over unbelievers speak their truth and hurt my feelings.  Why is it easier to speak untruths rather than truth?  Why is it easier to believe another human rather than God?  

I don't want to be like Pharaoh.  I don't want to return home putting it all out of my mind, while those around me suffer.  Do you?

What truths will you share today?  

I share with you that sometimes truth hurts, but it also Saves!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

More of God

Exodus 4: 18 - 7:1-13

God always, always has more!

Imagine, the scene of events found in chapter 7.  The Pharaoh't throne room with all of his court, Moses who is now 80 and Aaron his older brother is 83.  They follow the Lord's instructions enter the room with all of these important leaders of the land when Aaron throws down his staff and it becomes a serpent!  Imagine, pretty impressive right?  Well, then the magic folks of the Egyptian following throw down theirs and the same thing happens.  Oh...then Aaron's staff swallows all the other staffs!  Wow, isn't that pretty awesome?

The Great I Am is always, always more!  All the more that any of us could possibly need to face our enemy or our problems ~  Call out to Him today!  When doubt tries to creep in, don't let it...because God will swallow up our enemies.  Don't expect it to happen in a way you expect it to...it will never be like you imagine!  It will be more!

Imagine, those wise men of Egypt trying to figure out how to get their staffs back...ONLY GOD!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Letting go

Exodus 1 -4: 1-17 and 1 Chronicles 6: 1-3a

What is it you love most in the world?  I would imagine a lot of you mothers think of your children or all of you mothers.  Some think of your spouses.  Some think of family period and still I am sure the list goes on and on...I think that one of the stories today always just makes my heart jump thinking of the tremendous love a mother shows her son, but also the family as a whole shows by the lengths they go to protect the baby.

The story of baby Moses and how this whole little family protected this little boy for 3 months.  Imagine, the first 3 months of his life.  The cries of a little one that we know he will make, but this family and God protected him from being found knowing they had to come up with a plan to save his little life.  A plan of building a basket and placing it in the Nile river.  What?  Amongst the crocs?  (and I'm not talking shoes)  Does this sound like a good plan to you?

I have to believe this mother was close to the Great I Am.  How else could a mother place her much loved baby in a basket in the river with these nasty looking critters?  She trusted God to work out all the details to save her child.  God placed a princess by the river to rescue this little baby.  Baby Moses who grows into a man that feels so unworthy to save his people, but because he too grows to trust and believe God he does!

What is it today that perhaps you need to release and trust God with the outcome?  What words is God asking you to speak perhaps, but you feel you just can't?  Well, look at the man Moses and know that indeed you can speak too!  

Read the passages today from Exodus and believe and trust in the Great I Am!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie