Be Strong and of Good Courage....

Beloved...

Be strong and of good courage....I usually so dislike when someone says this to me, but that is because I forget that our God is not like the world.  In Him, I do not have to pull myself up by my bootstraps and, as the King James says, "quit like a man."   Beloved believer...Our God does not ask us to be strong in ourselves and in our own power...He asks us to be strong in Him!  He is the one who does it all.

We walk by faith and not by sight.  It is so easy to think we know better than God....especially when our circumstances look impossible and we have not been washing ourselves daily with His truth.  Faith does not look at what is seen.  Faith obeys no matter how things look from a human perspective.  Faith puts its trust in God.  It surrenders all!  Psalm 27:14 tells us to wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen our heart.  What a place of rest we come to when we can truly place all the issues of life in His hands.  No fretting...no matter what happens we are trusting God.  We are standing fast in Him!  Immersed in His word and aware of His presence we cannot be thrown off balance by anything the enemy might throw at us!  We fight from victory and it is not our battle...it is the Lord's. 

Read the following verses from Joshua, Chapter 1, verses 6,7,8,and 9. 

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The key is in the last few words...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  The presence of the Lord eradicates fear and faint-heartedness.  It is His courage and strength that we walk in.  He is there.  He is with us.  He upholds us and bears us up.   

Our God prepares us for whatever we will face as we diligently study His word daily.  He arms us with His strength, His knowledge and His presence.  It is only in Christ and His strength  that we can "quit like a man"! 

Read with me some verses from the book of Daniel, Chapter 10...

Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength.  For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”

Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me.  And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”

So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” 

How beautiful is that?  The awareness of God...His voice, His touch, His presence with us and His love for us strengthens us and brings us peace.

Be of good courage...be strong, stay in the word and stand fast for the people God has placed in our lives.  We are in a battle...eternity is at stake.  Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh.  And may the Lord do what is good in His sight!

Love

Mom

Pride and the Wrath of Abandonment - Exodus 7

To My Daughters,

We read some sad words in Exodus 7.

And Pharaoh’s heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said.--Exodus 7:13

The words and Pharaoh's heart grew hard or But Pharaoh hardened his heart are read several times over the plague portions of Exodus.  There will come a time, however, when we will read the verse that says this:

"The Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh." 

Uh oh.  After reading some commentaries and looking into the meaning of the word "hardened" I understand that there are two Hebrew words for the word we know as hardened.  The first is used when referencing the conduct of Pharaoh.  (Pharaoh's heart grew hard or Pharaoh hardened his heart)  This Hebrew word implies a stubbornness, an act of rebellion.  Pharaoh made his own heart heavy and insensible by his stubbornness and refusual to obey the voice of God. The other Hebrew word means to make firm as a piece of clay that is hardened in the fire  This is what God did to Pharaoh's heart. Here is the chain of events.  Pharaoh rebelled against God and in doing so, repeatedly hardened his heart against Him.  God then came along and made His position firm.  He gave Pharaoh exactly what he wanted.  He left him to the fruit of his own way. This is the wrath of abandonment. (See Proverbs Chapter 1:24-31)

God is stepping back and leaving Pharaoh and all of Egypt with him to the consequences of his own sinful choices.  They will be filled with their own way and their sin will be their ruin.  Genesis 6:3 tells us that God's Spirit will not strive with us forever. The price for Pharaoh was staggering.  Egypt was destroyed,  All the first born males of Egypt met with death and both Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea while pursuing God's people.  

Sometimes God has to break us and bring us to the end of ourselves in order to bring about true repentance. How much easier would it be for us if when we were in sin and had walked away from our Father, if we would just come back.  Put aside our pride and turn.  Take ourselves off the throne and put God back in His rightful place.  How much easier for us...how much easier for God...how much better for those around us.

Swallowing your pride gets easier and easier the more you do it.  It gets harder and harder the more you put off doing it.   When you put it off the lump you need to swallow gets larger and larger and looms hugely in front of you gathering ammunition whenever and wherever it can to fortify its own position.  Don't be its victim.  The answer is simple...just go back...face your own sin...God's love and forgiveness will be there and make the crooked places straight again.  Cut your losses and put aside your pride.  As you move and do this by faith, God's grace will be there...the balloon of self will burst and you will see the Father's love for you with eyes no longer obstructed by your pride...turning will bring the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If you have never done this...do this today.  Our pride is the biggest obstacle between us and God...it is the difference between an eternity spent in hell and an eternity spent in heaven with Jesus. Acknowledge your sin...acknowledge your need for Him and come to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

Love

Mom 

Notes on Exodus 4-6

Dear Girls,

Then Moses said to the LORD, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.” So the LORD said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the LORD? Now therefore, go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.” But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” --Exodus 4:10-13

This is Moses' fourth argument to God in response to God telling him that He wanted him to go to Pharaoh and lead His people out of Egypt. (Don't miss the irony in that statement, please) Moses focuses on his weakness of speech....he is not eloquent, he is slow of speech and slow of tongue.  I can completely sympathize and identify with Moses ...I so often feel this way.  Here, however, is what I have noticed.  When God truly wants to make a point and deems to use my mouth for that purpose, I do fine.  He is with my mouth and does teach me what to say.  

I love God's reply to Moses:  "Who has made man's mouth."  This should be a huge comfort to each of us.  God has a purpose and plan for even things in our make up that we view as weaknesses and disabilities.  God takes responsibility for them all and uses them for his purposes. 

After more argument Moses does wind up going before Pharaoh.  

Afterward Moses and Aaron went in and told Pharaoh, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.’” And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.”--Exodus 5:1-2

Pharaoh asks what many of us have asked in our arrogance and self will...Who is the Lord and why should I obey Him??!  I will do what I want...I will go my own way.  The Bible tells us in many places that there is a way that seems right to man, but it way leads to death.  God has given us everything we need in His word for life and godliness.  The Scripture is filled with exhortations to obey and be blessed both in this life and the next.  Unfortunately, most of us ignore both God and His word and in doing so court disaster.  THAT is what Pharaoh is doing here...courting disaster.  God will answer his question.  He will show Pharaoh who He is and I am pretty sure Pharaoh will not like it.  There will come a day for each of us when, like Pharaoh, our desire to live for ourselves and do as we please will reap eternal consequences.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”

And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the LORD. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD[a] I was not known to them. 4 I have also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, in which they were strangers. 5 And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Israel whom the Egyptians keep in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant. 6 Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 7 I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. 8 And I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and I will give it to you as a heritage: I am the LORD.’” --Exodus 6:1-8

An awesome passage of Scripture.  God establishes His word and His covenant with His people.  He is doing as He said He would do.  "I will take you as My people and I will be your God." (See Genesis 15:1-21 and Genesis 17:1-8.) 

As you read this passage you cannot help but notice the personal pronoun "I" used by God here.  God is directly and intimately involved in the affairs of Israel.  He is directly and intimately involved in your life. THAT IS SUCH A COMFORT.  Look at just verses 6-8 alone.  Notice the 7 I will's.  

I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, 

I will rescue you from their bondage, 

I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. 

I will take you as My people, and 

I will be your God. 

I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; 

I will give it to you as a heritage:

Need help?  Need comfort?  Need salvation?  Need rest? Need an advocate?  GO TO HIM!

The rest of the chapter goes on to identify Moses and Aaron's Levitical heritage.  Aaron's son, Eleazar and grandson, Phinehas, both of whom would become Israel's high priest are also named.  And just in case you are still questioning who this Moses and Aaron are....God makes it clear in the last verses of this passage.

"These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, “Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.”  These are the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt, to bring out the children of Israel from Egypt. These are the same Moses and Aaron."

Just in case there was still any doubt....smile.

Love

Mom

Encouragement and Exhortation in Trouble...

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." 

There is the encouragement. As Jesus overcame the world and its tribulations, so might we do the same.  Paul taught the same lesson and exhorts us to continue in the faith...that


"we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.  "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."

Bow before Him...do as Christ did during the time of His greatest trial...

"who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,"

Surrender to Him and allow Him to accomplish the highest end for your trials and the greatest value for your trouble.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation and above all continue steadfastly in prayer." 

Good things come from tribulation...much fruit and much grace flows from it.  Allow Him to work your hard times for His glory and your good!

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

More to encourage:  Chastistement is not evidence of God's displeasure or anger but a strong evidence of his love.  Hebrews 12 says this:

For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.  You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.  And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

      “ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,

      Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;

       6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens,

      And scourges every son whom He receives.”

If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Allow the troubles of life to arrest your attention...allow them to permit you to see your own helplessness and need....your own sinfulness.  "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects."  Our troubles lead us to His throne of grace...truly the man who sees and understands this is blessed among all men and for him, heaven looms large and the earth wanes smaller and smaller.

E. M. Bounds says this to comfort beloved children of God who are in the midst of trouble.

"Oh, children of God, you who have suffered, who have been sorely tried, whose sad experiences have often brought broken spirits and bleeding hearts, cheer up!  God is in all your troubles, and He will see that all shall "work together for good,"  if you will but be patient, submissive and prayerful."

Love

Mom

Consider and Believe

Consider Him who desires to be your Portion in this life and the next...The following is from the Blue Letter Bible (BLB).  It blessed me today as I referenced the Scriptures and meditated on what I have in Jesus Christ, the One who becomes for us whatever our need might be.  Be blessed!

From the BLB...The Names, Titles and Characters of Jesus Christ.

Consider Him
He was Obedient	Phl 2:8
He was Meek, Lowly	Mat 11:29
He was Guileless	1Pe 2:22
He was Tempted	Hbr 4:15
He was Oppressed	Isa 53:7
He was Despised	Isa 53:3
He was Rejected	Isa 53:3
He was Betrayed	Mat 27:3
He was Condemned	Mar 14:64
He was Reviled	1Pe 2:23
He was Scourged	Jhn 19:1
He was Mocked	Mat 27:29
He was Wounded	Isa 53:5
He was Bruised	Isa 53:5
He was Stricken	Isa 53:4
He was Smitten	Isa 53:4
He was Crucified	Mat 27:35
He was Forsaken	Psa 22:1
He is Merciful	Hbr 2:17
He is Faithful	Hbr 2:17
He is Holy, Harmless	Hbr 7:26
He is Undefiled	Hbr 7:26
He is Separate	Hbr 7:26
He is Perfect	Hbr 5:9
He is Glorious	Isa 49:5
He is Mighty	Isa 63:1
He is Justified	1Ti 3:16
He is Exalted	Act 2:33
He is Risen	Luk 24:6
He is Glorified	Act 3:13
The Lord is my Portion
My Maker, Husband	Isa 54:5
My Well-beloved	Sgs 1:13
My Saviour	2Pe 3:18
My Hope	1Ti 1:1
My Brother	Mar 3:35
My Portion	Jer 10:16
My Helper	Hbr 13:6
My Physician	Jer 8:22
My Healer	Luk 9:11
My Refiner	Mal 3:3
My Purifier	Mal 3:3
My Lord, Master	Jhn 13:13
My Servant	Luk 12:37
My Example	Jhn 13:15
My Teacher	Jhn 3:2
My Shepherd	Psa 23:1
My Keeper	Jhn 17:12
My Feeder	Eze 34:23
My Leader	Isa 40:11
My Restorer	Psa 23:3
My Resting-place	Jer 50:6
My Meat (his flesh)	Jhn 6:55
My Drink (his blood)	Jhn 6:55
My Passover	1Cr 5:7
My Peace	Eph 2:14
My Wisdom	1Cr 1:30
My Righteousness	1Cr 1:30
My Sanctification	1Cr 1:30
My Redemption	1Cr 1:30
My All in All	Col 3:11

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More of Mikayla's Devotionals....

Romans 16  - Greetings from Paul's friends...

Even in all his sadness and hardships Paul remembered his friends and helpers and greeted them.  Even in hard times remember to show God's people grace !  

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

God means that the trials we go through help us comfort others through the comfort and love he gave us.  

God wants us to show comfort and love through our hardships.  

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1 Corinthians 3  Avoid Worldly Wisdom

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written,“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”;[a] 20 and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”[b] 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Any wisdom is foolish next to God.  If someone comes up to you bragging, pray that God will show him he is a fool.   Anything good comes from God, so if we are wise the person we have to thank is God.  Do not get stuck up about your wisdom, remember God gave it to you! 

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1 Corinthians 15  Glorious Body

There are two bodies, one is our earthly body and the other is our heavenly one.  

Some people doubt the power of God.  They ask: "how are the dead raised?  And what body do they live in?"  These are good questions to be sure, but they are easily answered...both are the power of God!  Jesus' power is great.  He made us, did he not?  We cannot know the power of Him, but it is brilliant, spectacular, stupendous, wonderful, amazing, in short, SWABS.  SWABS stands for those words.  God's power is SWABS...that I know!

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1 Corinthians 15  Effects of Denying the Resurrection

If God did not rise, we would not be in Him.  We would be in peril all the time without Him.  People would be baptized in the name of someone who is rotting in the grave.  (No offense, God) 

If this happened it would be like this. "We're gonna die, let's eat and drink before we die.  Be glad that Jesus rose from the dead!

Just because we are in Christ doesn't mean we should hang out with bad people for it creates bad habits.  So...when you wake up spend time with Him.  Make it so you purpose in your heart to spend time with God.  He will show you who to hang with.

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1 Corinithians 9  Serve all Men

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law,[c] that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God,[d] but under law toward Christ[e]), that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as[f] weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Even though we are free after being bought with the blood of Jesus, we are a servant to Him.

We are a servant to all men.  Kinda sounds like what Jesus did.  He became what men are.  He was a Jew.  He had a family and He was going to grow up and be a carpenter.  Jesus became a servant to all.  He washed the disciples feet, ate with sinners and hung with the lepers.  Jesus became weak and went to the cross and told the robber on his right that he would be with him in Paradise.  That thief's deathbed by God's grace was the cross next to Jesus and by God's grace, he believed.  The other robber did not.  Believe and you will go to Heaven.