Thursday, July 10, 2014

One year later...He's still leading the way!

When my oldest, Jossi, was born I had a terrible time with an unexpected C-section. During the delivery and recovery I could not stop my entire body from shaking... Except when they put her face up against my cheek. In that moment everything else disappeared and all I could feel was the warmth of my new baby's face against mine. Recently I noticed that my two little girls still have that same affect on me. The soft touch of their face against mine gives me such a feeling of peace. In that moment The Lord said to me in MY presence and at MY feet I still say "Quiet! Be still!" (Mark 4:39) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV) the more time I spend in His presence the less I worry about everything else. 

This week while I was completing a bible study workbook it suggested completing this sentence "God is good, even when..." So looking back over the past year of our journey to Mississippi, here are some things I have learned:

God is good, even when we don't see where He is leading. 
God is good, even when life is hard. 
God is good, even when the world is not. 
God is good and He will never leave us. 
God is good. He always has been and He always will be. 
God is good and we can trust Him with EVERYTHING! 

I am thankful that I am not the one in charge of making the plans but I can trust the one who is. 

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Photo courtesy of Debbie Fetzer

Friday, April 18, 2014

The Most Precious Alabaster Box Ever Broken

The Bible tells of a woman who brought her most treasured possession for Jesus: 

And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil... Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:37, 38, 50 NKJV)
 
But this is not the most precious alabaster box broken and poured out in the bible. God Himself broke open the most precious alabaster box of all when He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins! 

“This is My body which is given for you;...” (Luke 22:19b NKJV)

Have you broken open your alabaster box and poured out your precious oil? Have you worshiped with such abandon and do you have such ridiculous faith in your Master that you have broken open your alabaster box and poured out your Most Treasured possession? He freely gave up everything to take on the wrath of my sin, and yours, and the sin of the whole world. God calls us to be willing lay down our precious treasures in return. 

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. (Philippians 2:17 NLT)

Words from "Unrestrained"
Words from "Alabaster Box"

Monday, April 14, 2014

Hosanna

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9 NIV)

The same crowd that shouted "Hosanna" one week later turned on Jesus. "But they shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!” (John 19:15a NIV) Instead of Jesus being who they wanted Him to be, He came to be what they NEEDED Him to be. 

We do the same thing in our lives. When our lives do not go as we have planned we turn on God and say "Why?" and we think we have a better plan but all the while He is working things out for His glory and our good. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)

Hosanna in the Highest!