Father, You are good. In You I have put my trust. Show me Your ways LORD, teach me Your ways for they are right and good like You. Guide me in Your truth and teach me for You are my God and Savior and Your Spirit lives in me for this reason đź’™ My hope is in You all day long! Oh how I love and depend on You. (Psalm 25:1-5 and John 14:26)
Do you ever wake to thoughts of the past that stir up regrets or to thoughts of the future that stir up fears? This morning was one of those mornings for me.
As I lay there, struggling with the ‘if onlys’ of the past and the ‘what ifs’ of the future – God, in His goodness, prodded me with His Spirit – reminding me (speaking words right into my very soul, it seemed) to fix my thoughts on Him. He was specific, reminding me that this is the day that the Lord has made and I should rejoice and be glad in it. He whispered, Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. I quickly rose in the strength of the reminders – knowing they were words of life and victory over the enemy’s attempt to steal and kill and destroy – but found myself still trying to shake off the regrets and fears that had been stirred up – unfortunately, they didn’t shake off like sand but stuck like caked-on dirt. He rescued me though with one final word – PEACE – reminding me that those who trust in Him and fix their thoughts on Him are kept in perfect peace. With that I was able to move forward free from the debris of fears and regrets and finding myself in worship and awe of God’s goodness.
As I spent time in the wonder and worship of what had just transpired I looked up the reference He had whispered about Jesus being the author and finisher of my faith – curious as to why that one for this situation and I found these words preceding those:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down (i.e. Fears and regrets) especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us fixing our eyes on Jesus … Hebrews 12:1-2
Familiar words for sure, hidden away but not thought of or quoted for a while now – but certainly putting into deeper perspective the beauty of how God uses His Spirit and His Word in our lives.
…the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26
My child pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to My words. Don’t lose sight of them, for they are life to those who find them and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22
Prayer: Father, You are good and in Your goodness You have won the battle over the thoughts of regrets and fear that plagued my mind. When You are for us what can stand against us? So, it is in gladness I have risen up to meet this day and it is with thanksgiving that I fix my eyes on Christ, the author and finisher of my faith, and through whom I find forgiveness and renewed strength. It is with steadfast HOPE that I entrust – not just this day – but all the days of my future, whether here on earth or in heaven with You. Yes God, You are good and I praise You for Your Presence in my life and for the work of Your Spirit to remind me of everything You have said. You are a good good Father! It’s who You are and You are mine because of my faith in Jesus Christ. I know You are working all things together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose – and in this TRUTH I find PEACE. Thank you for intimately knowing every detail of my life, for knowing the words I needed to hear this morning and for speaking them into me. Is it any wonder that I love and trust You? For surely I have tasted and seen that You are Good!
Blessings – from the Inside Out đź’•
I am currently doing the Love God Greatly study on Joshua. This morning’s scripture was from Joshua 13:1-8 and Isaiah 66:3-4 and lead me to these thoughts …
My child pay attention to what I say, listen carefully to My words. Don’t lose sight of them for they bring life to those who find them … Proverbs 4:20-22
In this world we will face situations everyday where we must choose our way or His. The question is how do we consistently make the right choice?
As children of God and joint-heirs with Christ we must be careful and intentional with our choices. We must strive to faithfully make God – His Word and Spirit – our guide and priority over what we see and feel and desire.
His will, His pleasure, His ways … should be our utmost criteria.
cri·te·ri·on
noun
plural noun: criteria – a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided.
From the InsideOut đź’•
We read in Joshua 10:42 that Joshua and his army had defeated all the kings and their lands in one campaign because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. It’s a beautiful and awe-inspiring story that plays out through the entirety of chapter 10, a sequel to the preceding chapters of the book and a set-up for what happens in chapter 11.
All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. Joshua 10:42
Chapter 11 opens with King Jabin hearing of this and sending word to the kings throughout the land. It tells of all the Kings joining forces, of their troops and a large number of horses and chariots – describing them as a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. Joshua gets wind of this and is once again reminded by God to not be afraid.
“Do not be afraid of them because by this time tomorrow I will hand them over to Israel, slain.” Joshua 11:6
Joshua trusted the LORD and called his army into battle once again.
And the LORD gave them into the hands of Israel. Joshua 11:8
There is truly one amazing story after another in these chapters of Joshua where we read of God continually calling His people to not be afraid. Though they had plenty of reasons to fear He had commanded them to be strong and courageous. He also Infused them with the very courage He had commanded by promising His presence with them and often telling them what He would do for them.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Complying with the command meant trusting and obeying, but their obedience led to success in their battles and victory over their enemies just as God had promised.
His call and promised victories are the same for us today. As His children, we are to be strong and courageous as we live in obedience to Him, infused with the promise that He is with us we are to stand firm in the battle, and claim the victory promised in Jesus’ Name.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ . 1 Corinthians 15:57
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. 2 Corinthians 2:14
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
As He told Joshua, He also tells us in Ephesians to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. He infuses us with courage by allowing and calling us to put on His full armor so that we can take our stand against the schemes of our enemy. He reminds us that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I’m guessing He knew how terrifying that would sound because He follows it up with another reminder to put on His full armor, so that when the day of evil comes, we will be able to stand our ground. In addition to this promise He prepares us for the battle by teaching us about the armor:
There will be times that the battles and the enemy seems more than we can bear – perhaps – as with Joshua and his enemy, even “more numerous than the grains of sand on the seashore” – but we are assured that He is with us wherever we go.
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. … You know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17
This world is full of evil and it will call to us and seek to overcome us – for the enemy seeks to steel, kill and destroy – but we can live free of its fear because Christ has already won the battle – and God has given us the victory through Him!
You dear children are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is living in you is greater than the one who is living in the world. 1 John 4:4
As God spoke to Joshua, He speaks to us through the the words of Christ …
“… In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Me – from the Insideoutđź’•
“We all struggle to remember what God has done for us, and that spiritual memory loss often shows itself in complaining. Complaining reveals a heart that has forgotten what God saved you from and where He is taking you.
We need to get back to remembering.” Love God Greatly https://lovegodgreatly.com/
In Joshua 4 God instituted a tangible, visible, conversation -inducing memorial with a God-given purpose. He wanted them not just to remember for themselves but He wanted others (specifically here – their children) to know what He had done for them.
God wanted Joshua and those who crossed the Jordan with him to be able to tell how God had worked in their lives.
He wants the same for His children today. God wants those who live around us and come behind us – our children, neighbors, friends and even strangers – to see and to hear about the things He has done for us, in us, and through us. So that they will know and understand Who He Is.
We must remember what He’s done from the time of our salvation to now. We must look for His fingerprints and remember them – it’s a game changer! We will look different, sound different and live different and when we are asked we will be ready with an answer for the Hope that is us.
Me- From the Inside Out đź’•
I typically share something from the heart of me (and may later), but this morning I was catching up on blogs from my favorite author and blogger, Ann VosKamp, and decided to share her words instead of my own. I pray they are as big a blessing to you as they have been to me. Ann beautifully interlaces her words with her captivating pictures and things dear to her heart – scroll through them or stop and enjoy them – but don’t miss the life-lifting words – from the beginning to the end – shared from her heart ❤️ May they encourage and bless you – From the Inside Out đź’•
https://annvoskamp.com/2019/05/this-is-what-you-want-what-every-woman-really-wants-this-year/
Recently, I was blessed to be a part of something different – something life changing – something on the verge of uncomfortable but something so right. Four wonder-filled, worship-filled evenings where God was the focus of our prayers. Prayers were the purpose. Prayers for our city – prayers for the people of our city – prayers for our churches – prayers for the believers of our city and prayers for the lost of our city. Four nights of unifying with a diverse group of believers to approach the throne of the One True Living God, not because Scripture mandated it, not because I was guilted into it or because I wanted to meet a quota, but because God had so moved in my heart to make it a priority. God would have heard me at home in my closet just as surely as He heard me there in that place, but it was so much sweeter for those four evenings to join in prayer with other believers, to worship through song and to hear the testimonies of lives radically changed by God through prayer, and the Word boldly preached.
“Sweet hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my Father’s throne – make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief and oft escaped the tempter’s snare by thy return, sweet hour of prayer.”Â
Not all of the conference was comfortable – we were pushed outside of our boxes. Our training, or the standard, in corporate worship even in corporate prayer meetings, is to have someone praying and perhaps music playing in the background – but in the span of these four evenings there were times where we sat praying in perfect silence. In that silence I strained to hear the voice of God – entreating Him to hear me and to lead me in prayer. There were also moments where it was not at all quiet, and instead of one praying many joined in and prayed, a beautiful blend of voices lifting in harmony of hearts for a city and a people in need. Uncomfortable? Maybe. Spirit-filled and Spirit-led? Definitely!  I left there thankful to have been in that place – thankful, but yearning for more – thankful, but realizing God had just moved me towards a deeper prayer life – thankful, but aware that my life will never be the same again.
So now what?Â
Now I find myself praying more and more for God to teach me to pray, not just the ABCs of prayer but what He wants – what matters to Him. I don’t just want to know that the Word says to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion, but I want to understand what that means and then to do it. We are told to approach God’s throne with confidence and boldness – oh, that I might learn to pray with boldness, with a passion that is fueled not by the need alone but by the knowledge of and belief in the God to whom I pray. Prayer is a big gift and God is a big God and to treat either as less than this, I believe, is verging on negligence of my faith and the resource – the divine resource – of God’s Spirit and His invitation to pray. I read a quote once that said “Worship-based prayer seeks the face of God before the hand of God. God’s face is the essence of who He is. God’s hand is the blessing of what He does. God’s face represents His person and presence. God’s hand expresses His provision for needs in our lives. I have learned that if all we ever do is seek God’s hand, we may miss His face: but if we seek His face, He will be glad to open His hand and satisfy the deepest desires of our hearts.” (Daniel Henderson)
I am no longer satisfied to simply seek His hand for the necessities or blessings of the day. I don’t want to be satisfied in just seeking His hand. I want to seek His face – for it is there I will find the relationship I so deeply need and want with Him. It is there my prayers will become worship-based and not seeker-based. Don’t get me wrong – I, like any other person, enjoy the blessings of His hand; but at the end of the day if I have to choose His presence over His blessing, I am learning that I would choose His presence – which in itself is the blessing.
Me From the Inside Out 