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What Do You Want God to Do For You?

Be sure of your motives when you pray

Deut 17  God knew the Israelite kings would lose sight of Him because most of their wants were selfish. That is why God gave the king some parameters to keep their focus heavenward, not here on earth. Like the king, the Israelites were not satisfied with just manna. They wanted meat a.k.a. horses, women, and money. That is why God reminded them to not multiply them.

When Jesus came on the scene, people were looking to be fed what the world would give rather than the Bread of Life come down from heaven. In fact, while Jesus served here on earth, he often asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Not one responded I want to be more like you. Not one responded, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing.” Not one responded I am more blessed to give than receive.

It is not wrong to ask God for things because He is our heavenly Father; “All generous giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or the slightest hint of change.” [James 1:17] God does tell us to ask for His provision in our life as well as other things. However, when we ask with wrong motives, so we may spend it on our selfish pleasures; God is not pleased.[James 4]

Are you prepared to ask God what He wants for you and not what you want?

Is your heart right before God as you enter your closet to pray?

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The Gift that Keeps on Giving

God gifts men/women to do the work of the ministry

Exodus 36 to 38 That phrase was coined in the early ’20s to sell Victor Radios, but, in reality, chapter 36 shows us the gift that keeps on giving. God is the one who gifts each person. He gifted the artisans to build the Tabernacle, but He also gifted the people with a willing heart to give to the work. No matter where God has placed you, you have been equipped to do the work of the ministry.

Thinking through all that the supervisor Bezalel had on his plate, he must have learned quite a bit in Egypt. We wonder what his “job” was there. In Exodus 5, we read “The Israelite foremen.” Was Bezalel one of those who learned how to direct a crew that would be under him to build? Where did he learn the working in gold? Did he learn it back in Egypt and now wondered how God was going to use him? That’s how I think. God and I have a conversation: I tell God, “don’t waste this,” use me in your work with the skills you have given to me. What do you say to God?

My father-in-law, was one who could “see” how something was made. If something broke, he would always say, if someone built it, then someone can fix it. He could study a broken piece and could see beneath the outer to the inner and then repair it or rebuild it into a new piece. He passed that on to DA, and he is always saying to me: if someone designed it, then someone can fix it. Both my father-in-law and my husband were/are amazing.

My own Dad didn’t live long enough for me to really understand his gifts, or for me to appreciate them, but he had an inner gift of tenderness that he passed on to me. He could see where a heart was hurting, and he could reach out to fix that broken heart. Unfortunately, his gift was short-lived, and the one person he needed to reach most, he was not able to. I can’t wait to get to heaven and talk to Bezalel and Oholiab and rekindle that relationship with “Grandpa Floyd.”

The people gave willingly and had to be restrained finally. Do I give voluntarily, or do I hold back and wait? God has blessed us. Are we giving willingly and without thinking about the amount or the gift but only that it is being used for God’s kingdom work?

Perhaps you don’t see yourself as a Bezalel or a Oholiab, but only see yourself as a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.[Ps 84:10] God can use your talents wherever He has chosen.  All He asks is for a willing heart.

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Jehovah Jireh…

God is our Provider

Exodus 16-18 God Provides

One of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh–the God who provides no matter whether big or little, whether food or wisdom. As the Israelites leader, Moses had a mighty task not only had to lead them but guide them as God gave direction. Maybe you, too, have an enormous task just like Moses. You are overwhelmed and do not which way to turn. It is then that Isaiah’s counsel is wise: You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, “This is the correct way, walk in it,” whether you are heading to the right or the left,” Sometimes that word comes in the form of a prophecy “Do not treat prophecies with contempt.” [1 Thess 5:20] Perhaps it might come in the counsel of one who is wise as Jethro to Moses. It may not be in an earthquake or a mighty wind, but the still small voice just like Elijah heard. God is listening to His children; He hears your cry. God provides what we need when we come to Him humbly.

Today you may be among the many who are seeking help. Remember to come humbly before God, and He will hear your cry and answer from heaven through avenues we may least suspect. Keep your eyes on Him and your ear open to hear His voice. “The prayer of an oppressed man, as he grows faint and pours out his lament before the Lord. O Lord, hear my prayer! Pay attention to my cry for help!” [Ps 102:1]

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Be Thou my Guide O thou great Jehovah

Psalm 31-33, Is God silent in your life right now? If you think he is, then you have missed the spiritual markers of his character in the OT, such as in these three psalms. Beloved,

Read the OT to learn about His character..

Read to learn about His heart.

Read to learn about yourself.

David is in, as we say, a “whole heap of trouble.” His path seems strewn with the foes that are on his trail. He needs to find safety and security and so he turns to God because he knows and trusts Him.  He knows that God is his protector. He believes God to be his stronghold, where he can be safe!

Like David, others may see us as worthless and empty like a broken jar, but God sees us through His eyes.  He looks carefully. His eye is as much on the sparrow as it is on us. Therefore, we can trust Him.  Kings come and go, warriors are strong for only a season, horses can only deliver as the horseman guides. But, God is sovereign; He is strong. He is our deliverer. Wait on Him. He knows the path we should take. It is in Him that we find peace and contentment, safety, and security. Pray as David prayed: Guide us this day.

William Williams penned these words:

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah; pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but you are mighty, hold me with your powerful hand.

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Parenting101

Parenting101

Proverbs 23 This past month all over the world, parents are learning how to homeschool because of the lockdown due to the Coronavirus. Some find it a joy and others, well enough said. A suggestion: read a chapter from the book of Proverbs following the calendar. If you are reading a chapter of Proverbs each day, you will find many promises. Here is one found right smack in the middle of Proverbs 23! It is just for you parents who are now working with your little ones:

“The father of a righteous person will rejoice greatly; whoever fathers a wise child will have joy in him. May your father and your mother have joy; may she who bore you rejoice.“

Did you notice the repetition of the words “rejoice and joy?” Parents take heart. God sees your work, and He will reward you. 

Parents, if you are feeling overwhelmed with this task, go back and read Samson’s father’s prayer. He felt just like you. Jdg 13:8 Manoah prayed to the Lord, “Please, Lord, allow the man sent from God to visit us again, so he can teach us how we should raise the child who will be born.” Claim that prayer and go to God for your stamina, wisdom, and discernment. 

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Preparing for your departure

1 Chron 24-26 Today we received yet another note from one of the international staff that they had been tested and it was positive. Will this person weather the corona storm? But, add to that the many that are already near their finish line. One friend’s father is 104 and another is 101. Will they continue on or will they move to their eternal destiny. Only time will tell. Both are in excellent health. On the other hand, King David knew his time was drawing near and so he set about to plan for the future and the next king. Do we do the same? Do we plan ahead so our children and extended family are prepared? Do we have all or bank accounts set up with our children or someone else as a beneficiary? Have we made out our will so that our testimony is clear to those who are not saved?

Read carefully David’s planning structure. “David, Zadok (a descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (a descendant of Ithamar) divided them into groups to carry out their assigned responsibilities,” David also prepared some for music and words to encourage and edify. Paul captured this idea as he wrote to the Ephesians: “speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,” [Eph 5:19] Along with that, David outlined the duties of those who would care for the new temple.

These are timely examples to us.

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Jehovah Jireh Our Provider

Trust God not man

1Kings 17-19 Today people are beginning to grumble because their comfort zone has been disrupted. They have lost their trust in government officials, others, and even the God of the Bible. They just want the problem fixed which is precisely what the wicked King Ahab wanted too.  Yet God is God, and He will not share his glory with another.  To teach the evil king and queen, God will use his faithful prophet Elijah to remind us that nothing is too hard for God. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

First, Elijah needs a place of refuge from the wicked king and queen. When the brook dries up, and the food is no more, God sends him to a widow outside the land. Here God tests Elijah with the death of the child. Will he trust God to raise a little boy from the dead? Will the widow learn that Elijah is God’s prophet?  In the meantime, God provides a simple man named Obadiah to show weary Elijah the truth that no problem is too hard for God. Obadiah protected and provided a place of refuge for God’s prophets. Step by step, God provided for every need. And when Elijah was weary, He provided a replacement in Elisha to accompany him.

If He could use the unclean ravens or an unnamed widow or an Obadiah, will He not provide for our every need? Yet if God provided for Elijah, will He not do the same for us?  Do you trust Him to take care of your essentials this day? “in God I trust, I am not afraid. What can mere men do to me?” [Ps 56]

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