Leap like calves...

I am working on a new Bible study written by Kelly Minter and she told a funny story about a friend referencing a scripture about leaping calves.  She went on to say that she mentioned to her friend that she didn't think this was in the bible, that cows barely move much less leap.  Well someone in the group googled it promptly and came up with Malachi 4:2 which is written like this ~ But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.  And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.  Well it got me to thinking and pondering...

Jesus is like the Sun that heals with its rays and revives our souls and in turn we do leap because of the healing experience!  Now go with me and think about those calves they were probably tied down or yoked with very little movement, so it might not have been leaping but they would have been running with joy at being released!  Don't you run with joy when you find the healing in God's wings?  I know I do!

So next time you spot a calve in the field running and playing let it be a reminder to you about the joy found in the healing love of Jesus!

Blessings,

Questions again?

The last blog posting was about a month ago and it was also on questions.

During the past month I've been asking questions, not necessarily receiving any answers though.  Once again, last night a very profound dream about why I'm not asking the questions of people like you reading this blog.  Are you not brave enough Debbie to stand for what you believe or perhaps you are afraid of what others might think of you?  Wow, I wasn't sure how to respond, because honestly at times I must answer yes to both of those questions.

Over and over, in my dream and study this past month the answer is the same ask and receive.  The dream was in the setting of a women's retreat after all serving in women's ministry for so long I was planning a retreat.  The theme was "Questions" and the decorations were amazing going along with the question mark and the answers were all supplied throughout the day strictly from God's Word - not from me!  It was a huge success in my dream, but would it be in real life?  Do we really want the answers? 

For any of us to really make people dig deep about what they really believe ~ it truly  is very brave for everyone involved.  After all, it may be different from what I think or you think.  Would we still get along when we realize how differently we all believe and think?  Well, if we look at the world around us the answer is no.  Which is sad, because if you read the Bible Jesus didn't cast anyone out, but he didn't quit asking the questions either.  He made people dig deeper into their being to get the answer.  Perhaps, that is a bit of the problem we like quick, easy answers that nobody gets hurt with the answer...well that just isn't life!  Life hurts!  So, do we quit asking those difficult questions?  No, we must keep asking ourselves and others to dig deep.  Search God's Word, probe, ask and wait for the answers.

Over and over I am being lead to the book of Nehemiah.  Yes, Nehemiah.  No it's not the gospels, it's not about Paul and all of his exciting adventures or not so exciting exciting adventures it's about Nehemiah.  A man serving in captivity in a far away land when he questions about Jerusalem to receive answers.  The answers broke his heart and opened his eyes to adventure.  An adventure  that meant he had to be bold and ask questions of a king that could kill him with a sweep of a hand much less say "Yes".  He was brave and he did ask.  The answer was Yes!

What question is the Lord waiting for you to ask today?

Be brave.  Ask the question!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Questions and answers

Do you ever feel like the girl in the picture?  Surrounded with questions, but where are the answers?

We demand answers almost like, when we pull up to the drive through at McDonald's or Starbucks...whatever your choice might be just give us what we want.  We want to know right now not tomorrow, not next week and certainly not when God decides to tell us.  No, we want it right now.  Give it to us right now!  Did you hear us?  Demanding answers for questions that honestly we don't know.  Some people may give you an answer, but they may not  know.  Honestly they will try their best, but they aren't God, so quit asking the questions that some people might step off  in and decide to give you an answer, but how do they know?  They don't...they might give you their very best answer...but it's their answer!  Go to God's Word and wait for Him to provide for your need and it might not be the answer you thought you were looking for...  I want to sidestep here and say yes sometimes God speaks through other people, but we must be very careful and know God's Word to see if the two are in step together.

Remember, when you were a little girl?  I know sometimes it's difficult, but remember being carefree swinging on the swing trusting that everything was going to be okay?  Well, it truly is to me something like that with our faith.  We must trust God that He knows the answers and HE does! Trust things are truly okay and that we don't have to have the answers!  Believe in Him!

Recently, I had a very profound dream.  A dream that woke me up and made me get up out of bed get my Bible and research for some answers.  One of those dreams that you know God provided because I promise where He lead me is not a book that I read all the time.  The book reminded me of we are all broken people, but when we are looking for answers come to Him.  It reminded to cry for all of us and to look to Him for hope and that He is able to rebuild, but we must realize we are broken first.

His timing is amazing!  The Word He sends that I need to hear and most of all the reassurance and love that always comes with the Word!  I find hope, peace, and joy in the reminder of who God truly is...not who we are but who He IS AND WILL ALWAYS BE...once again He surprised me yesterday with an awesome reminder of He was here long before the world, He was and always will be and it boggles my little mind and maybe yours, but it brings such peace to me because I believe all of this about God and so much more!  He gave me the following verses to ponder yesterday of a beautiful reminder of who He truly is...

1 John 1 - 2

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched - this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.

John, the loved disciple wrote these words.  He knew Jesus.  He walked with Jesus. He saw Jesus on the cross and He saw Him return and these words truly touch my heart knowing indeed He was here on earth walking among people just like you and me.  Questions surrounding him and He provided and provides all the answers we need!  He is love!

I went on reading throughout the chapters of 1 John and came to one of my favorite verses found in chapter 4 and in verse 10 ~ This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 

None of us were an after thought...we are all loved! God sent His Son for you and for me and it's all about Him.  He provided for us long before we were even here...

We can debate.  We can argue.  We can provide answers, but Jesus is the only answer that any of us truly need!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie

Do you know?

Do you know that over 1 billion people are still Bible less?

I found this shocking considering all the technology that surrounds all of us today.

I received an email from Dayspring this morning with a devotion about a woman named Esther that traveled to Botswana to watch as people are told the stories orally from the Bible.  Yes, orally.  I was curious, so I clicked the link to find out more and here is the link for all of you to go find out more too...

https://theseedcompany.org/

Amazing work and stories.

Thanks Dayspring and Esther for planting seeds about this awesome ministry, so that I could share it with my friends and loved ones.  Help plant seeds today!

Sweet blessings,

Debbie