Monthly Archives: March 2019

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Receiving God’s Promise

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“For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘BECAUSE they have called you an outcast, saying: “It is Zion; NO ONE CARES FOR HER.” ’” (Jeremiah 30:17 NASB)

This is a promise from God to Israel at a time when their enemies noticed God’s judgement against them and began to say of them that they were outcasts because “no one cares for them,” which was and still is a lie. God cares for His people, including us. The Amplified classic version says He cares about us watchfully and cares for us affectionately (1 Peter 5:7). God will not let the enemy speak such blasphemy concerning His care for us, so for Israel, even in the midst of their sin state, God assured them of His healing.

I saw this Promise today as a stand alone truth the person was leaning on for their little one. As I read it, “I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the LORD.” It spoke clearly to me for my husband. What tells me I have the right to trust this as truth from God for Johnny. The assurance that our God cares for us and that He is the One who determines our lifespan and the boundaries of our habitation (Acts 17:22-28).

Casting the whole of our care on You Lord, all our anxieties, all our worries, all our concerns, once and for all on You, we trust You to bring Johnny back to health of body, mind, soul, strength, and spirit, and to heal this wound that refuses healing. We trust You to respond all because You care for us affectionately and You care about us watchfully. This is our hope and cry in Jesus Holy Name, who imparts righteousness to us by the power of Your grace sufficient, amen.

1 Peter 5:7 AMPC

ACTS 17:23-28 NASB

Psalm 55:22 AMPC

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Commended by God

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“When people commend themselves, it doesn’t count for much. The important thing is for the Lord to commend them.” (2 Corinthians 10:18 NLT)

As I read this today, the commendation first in my thoughts is God’s commendation of Job to Satan. I know! That doesn’t sound so good, does it? But listen to how proud God is.

“Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”” (Job 1:8 NLT)

Wow! I can but only live with hope of catching God’s eye in such a way. But that’s not the ultimate proof of God’s pride toward Job. That which followed is the proof text.

“Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

“All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.”

“So Satan left the Lord’s presence.” (Job 1:9-12 NLT)

Note that God pointed Job out to Satan. The test coming is God’s idea. God knew the heart of Job toward Him would prevail. He knew that whatever Lucifer threw at him, Job’s heart would reach out in faith to His Father and proclaim truths like, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”” (Job 1:21 NLT)

And then there’s the frustrated discourse with his heart broken wife:

“His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” (Job 2:9-10 NLT)

I cannot think of one person in scripture, commended by God, who did not walk through trial and testing that proved not only the caliber of their character, but the faithfulness of their God as they continued in faith toward Him. Moses was tried, tested, and grown as he led the people he was charged to guide. Joseph faced trial and testing that grew him to be strong in the skill and character necessary to rule a kingdom. Jesus faced every trial and passed every test on His way to the throne of Glory.

Sweetheart, those God loves, He proves and prunes. Are you going through a hard time, seeing your faith and integrity tested at every turn? It’s not that God has left your side, but more likely that He has recommended you as His righteous child of faith and integrity. He will not leave your side through the journey. And we pass the test by making sure, with every challenge of our faith, that we refuse to walk away from Him.

Look again at the challenge from Satan regarding Job.

“Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” SO SATAN LEFT THE LORD’S PRESENCE.” (Job 1:9-12 NLT)

In order to do the evil Satan intended toward Job, Satan had to leave the Lord’s Presence. That is the test we all face, Beloved. Satan temps us to lose faith and leave the Lord’s Presence. Will we remain with Him, or will testing see us walk away.

Let’s turn now to Jesus:

“…As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. So Jesus said to the twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” …” (John 6:52-71 NASB)

Difficulty coming into one’s life is not proof one is lost and failing to align with God. Difficulty in life is not necessarily an act of punishment from God. Difficulty can well mean we are commended by God for proving. And all through our test, Jesus asks us, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Those who pass the test are those who remain with Him despite the difficulty that comes to test and try our faith and character.

Stand firm, Beloved. God will not leave you alone in the fires or lion’s dens of life. He is forever with and for you. Your privilege is to stand firm with and for Him, so as to come out not only unscathed by the challenge, but stronger in character and skill for service and smelling like Jesus.

Articles, opinion piece

The Opinion of a Momma Bear Grandmother

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I’ve never been as upset with the banter coming from the Democratic Party as I am today. I use “banter” because they have got to be kidding me!

Many of those running for the Democratic Presidency platform are talking about lowering the voter age to include my 16 year old grandchildren. That is crazy! And it shows me a desperation to win that is pitiful.

One reasoning I’ve heard from those promoting this is that teens work and pay taxes, therefore they should have the right to vote. The problem I see with that reasoning is that I know of very few teens who make enough money to keep from getting it all returned to them when they apply for their tax return. They don’t truly pay taxes because they don’t make enough to owe taxes. 🤦🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️

But here’s the real issue! There is brain research out that proves what I already know from personal experience in my own life and from watching the struggle of my children and grandchildren. That is that a person’s ability to rightly evaluate consequences of actions and choices does not kick in, on average, until the age of 25.

What these people who are making this promise want are pliable brains that will willingly run with them. The problem being that when these children get old enough to fully understand the consequences of their actions, they will be stuck with it. Instead of choosing the right path in the first place, they will then be stuck trying to figure out how to fix what they took part in bringing into play.

When I was 18, I was glad to vote. It was one of those things that proved my coming of age. I was now an adult because I was allowed to vote! I did not really care about the political responsibility that comes with the privilege. I voted because I could.

It was not until I was in my late 20s that I began to appreciate the responsibility my privilege asked of me. I did not have politically active and savvy parents that taught me what to look at and how to decide, like my husband did. He was the one who influenced my growth in political wisdom.

At 18 years of age, I was stupid about world issues and for years of voting, I did so out of ignorance; and now these want to lower the age to 16. As a parent and grandparent, I will do all I can to protect my young ones from such potential for great harm to their future. This is the beginning of my fight to protect them. Forget political sides in this. Whatever your political persuasion, if you agree this is a play for votes that is harmful to our children’s future, make your voice heard. And while you’re at it, write your area representatives and let them know how upset this attack against your children’s future makes you.

Mac Thornberry: https://www.facebook.com/repmacthornberry/

https://thornberry.house.gov

John Cornyn: https://www.facebook.com/SenJohnCornyn/

https://www.cornyn.senate.gov

Ted Cruz: https://www.facebook.com/SenatorTedCruz/

https://www.cruz.senate.gov

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

What Partnership

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“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? …” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NASB)

When we read in scripture about binding relationships, if you are like me, thought most often goes to marriage. However, this passage is not speaking of marriage, but of any relational allegiance: corruptible friendships, unrighteous business partnerships, etc. Any allegiance with those who deny God have the potential to serve our enemy as a source of temptation, leading us to dishonor God.

Are we to leave lost friends once we commit to Christ? Very possibly: weighing those relationships against the teaching that bad company corrupts good morals, we may have to stop running with friends who run swiftly into evil practices. Should we pass up big money opportunities that require us to partner with untrustworthy people with no moral scruples? “Surely God knows we will use the money wisely.” But at what cost to His Name, for which we are representative?

There is a lot to consider when binding ourselves with others. Will we live lives that lift them higher as we lead the relationship into righteous practices; or will we fall into a pit while trying to lift them up. These are important things to consider in relationships, old and new, as we commit to relationship with God, to honor Him with our all.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Bright Light!

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Welcome to my home. Please excuse the mess. I’m behind everywhere with my husband in the hospital, but look at this picture of our pup. It doesn’t show as clearly in this photo as it is to my weary eyes, but as the glare of the sun’s light begins to pierce through the window, the extreme light hits my eyes, distorting clear view of Missy’s face.

Realizing that brought this spiritual truth into clear view:

“…In your light we receive the light of revelation.” (Psalms 36:9 TPT)

Today my mind is bombarded by the accusations flung out to rob my focus and lead my tired brain to major on minors. You ever been there? The accuser of souls often strikes to bring us down in our weakest moments. That’s the way of a lion hunt, isn’t it: separate the weak, isolating them for an easy kill.

Today, as I experience this isolation tactic of God’s enemy attacking me, Father points out this phrase, “In your light we receive the light of revelation.” God highlights the truth for me in the light of the sun behind Missy. When that light hit, Missy’s face hidden by the glare, all my mind perceives is the light.

God wants our focus on Him: His Light that reveals the truth of our hearts and circumstances, thus overcoming the tactics of the enemy’s entrapment. For me today, that light tells me of God’s love and His understanding of my situation. He cares for me and steps in to break the successful attack on His Beloved daughter. That is who I am, a Beloved child of God, just like you.

May the Light step in the way, distorting and blocking view of the lies of accusation toward you, making clear revelation of truth as God sees it, wherever your weakness meets with enemy attack today.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Trusting God’s Faithful Plan

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“O Yahweh, you are my Elohim. I will highly honor you; I will praise your name. You have done miraculous things. You have been completely reliable in carrying out your plans from long ago.” ~ Isaiah 25:1 NOG

Has God given you a vision, a heart desire to strive for in service to Him. Trust in the Lord who is proven in power and faithfulness. His word never fails, though His way looks different than our visual acuity can anticipate. He will accomplish His will in His higher ways.

Leave room for God’s glory to be revealed. We can manipulate our way to the vision as we see it, but we do ourselves, our God, and the Kingdom we profess a disservice when we force our way. We must realize the difference between pushing for some idea we hold that falls short of God’s ideal, and faithfully following God’s lead with refusal to be deterred. Growing our ability to recognize and trust God’s lead is a must.

It takes great faith to wait and let God show His might that is beyond our comprehension, as He opens strategic doors that grow us and prepare us for our future. And the practice of waiting-well most greatly prepares us to accomplish God’s will in the work He gives us to possess, as we receive His training as preparatory in the season of waiting.

Now, in this period of waiting on the Lord, we find opportunity for us to show ourselves to be good stewards in our now life of service to Him. Living well as representatives of God, accomplishing His will where we are in this Today, is the key that opens our glorious Tomorrow in serving our God. Go forth, trusting the vision to Him who holds the fullness of it, and be His righteous, loyal bondslave with this day. You will not be sorry for the time of waiting when you walk into the glorious unfolding of God’s will for you.

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Empowered for Radiance

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“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and He sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. When He had cleansed us from our sins, He sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” (Hebrews 1:3 NLT – https://www.bible.com/116/heb.1.3.nlt)

Jesus, still today, from His throne in Glory and His seat in the soul of every Christ follower, lives and breathes to radiate God’s own glory and express the very character / nature of God Almighty, the Father and creator of all. Jesus sets the example for all the children of God to follow. We too are the image of God’s glory on earth, tasked to live and breathe His character for all to see and know Him.

Now, after providing for our cleansing for all eternity, Jesus is seated in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. The right hand of God is the position of imparted power and authority. Jesus has full right as King of glory to rule on God’s behalf and see to the completion of all things as God wills. Part of that includes enduing the children of God to take up the work of Christ on earth. We now bear the responsibility to radiate God’s own glory and express the very character of God, in the name and authority of Christ.

Scripture even tells us that, in Christ, we are seated with Him in the heavenlies. As the body of Christ, we are at the right hand of the Father with Him (Ephesians 2:6). Therefore, we are given authority in Christ, and that authority empowers us in likeness to Him so we may radiate God’s own glory and express the very character of God, in the name and authority of Christ. By His Power from the Father, Jesus sustains everything by the mighty power of His command. In Christ, we go forth to complete what is lacking. As His lights, drawing many to Him, we prosper His Kingdom in His authority.

“Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing….” (2 Corinthians 2:14-17 NASB)

Ephesians 2:4-10 NASB

1 Corinthians 1:30-31 NASB

Galatians 3:26-27 NASB

Colossians 2:9-23 AMPC

Devotional Series, Holy Habitation

Truth in Action

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“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” (1 John 3:18 NLT)

Let us not merely say we love, but show the truth of it in action. This call to visual proof of the truth of our claim to an attribute of godliness can be applied to so many other words.

Let us show the truth by our actions.

We don’t have to tell people we love them, we care for them, we honor and respect them when they see it in the actions we take toward them. We don’t have to tell others how faithful we are, how big on integrity, how trustworthy the truth of our words, when our actions reveal it to be our true nature.

Actions do speak, and they speak loudly. Words without visible proof speak louder still. Let us decide who we are as the people of God and prove the truth of it in action.

“We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him” (1 John 3:19 NASB)