Day 126 – Even when the going gets tough God’s in control.

Today’s Reading: Job 10 – 12

Job 12:13-14 “To God belong wisdom and power;counsel and understanding are his. What he tears down cannot be rebuilt;those he imprisons cannot be released.”

God’s wisdom abounds in all He does even when we can’t understand it. Job, in all his complaining, got this one thing right. However, He began blaming God for doing these things to him, but what Job didn’t realize was that this wasn’t God’s doing.

God doesn’t do things to us, but He may allow things to happen. He is in control, but He is not evil. These things He allows are because of His wisdom and understanding of what the whole picture is in the end. All we can see is the present situation and not the Glory He has yet to come.

Just looking back over my life and all of the things God allowed to happen to me, I know without a doubt that He didn’t do these to me because the things that happened to me are out of His character. God’s character is Love and Truth because He is Love and Truth, and He wouldn’t hate or harm anyone.

1 Corinthians 13:6-7 says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

When your going gets tough don’t blame God, instead, look to God to find the good He’s doing through the trial.

Day 124 – Did you set the world in motion? Then how can we ask Why, when our world starts spinning out of our control?

Today’s Reading: Job 4 – 6

Job 4:17-19 ‘Can mortal man be in the right before God?Can a man be pure before his Maker? Even in his servants he puts no trust,and his angels he charges with error; how much more those who dwell in houses of clay,whose foundation is in the dust,who are crushed like the moth.”

One by one, Job’s friends begin to question him. They were trying to figure out what he had done wrong that would have caused God to treat him in this way. Job responded to Eliphaz with a question…

Job 6:30 “Is there any injustice on my tongue?Cannot my palate discern the cause of calamity?”

Essentially Job was saying, What did I do wrong?

When things go wrong in our life, some will jump to conclusions. However, sometimes bad things happen to good people for no good reason. Through Job, God wanted to prove to Satan that someone would be found faithful no matter what happened. Maybe God is doing the same with you. Maybe God is wanting to use you to bring others closer to Him. There are also times God will allow consequences to come according to your sin, but in these situations He will also use the Holy Spirit to convict you of the wrong you’ve done.

But if you’ve committed no sin, don’t try to find fault where no fault lies.

You didn’t put the world in motion, God did, and sometimes He is the only one that knows the Reason Why!

Day 123 – Perfect Silence.

Today’s Reading: Job 1 – 3

Job 2:13 “And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.”

Someone once told me you know you have a great friend when you can sit with them in silence and completely content. Being that I’m a thinker I can completely agree with this. I love to be around people, but I love it even more when we can just ride together on a long road trip and look out the window and gaze at the world passing us by thinking about everything under creation.

It’s not awkward silence, it’s perfect peace.

When people try to make conversation, when words aren’t needed, the words that come out can be more than empty. They can hurt more than help, damaging the situation even more.

Proverbs 10:19 “When words are many, transgression is not lacking,but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Job, one of my favorite books of the Bible, shows the relationship between a group of friends. It wasn’t always good, but it started out that way. Our buddy, Job, had just had a really bad day. Satan was after his soul, but God knew Job would be faithful. He was robbed of his property and his children, Satan poured out sores on his body and he became a stench to society. Even his wife scorned him because he didn’t yell at God and just ask to die. But his friends showed up in a big way. They heard the news of their dear friend and came from far to see him. They saw how he was mourning and decided it was best to just sit with him and be there if he needed anything.

Sometimes what’s best for us in a moment of grief, frustration, or hurt is to have a friend sit with us in our weakness not saying a word. Because it’s not words that need to fill the air, but love that needs to fill our heart.

Years ago, when droves of people came into my home to mourn over the loss of my son it was the silence among us that drove us together, the hugs without words that expressed more sympathy and love, and it was in those moments that I experienced His perfect peace in their perfect silence.

Day 122 – Let the twists and turns of your path lead you straight to the plan God has for you.

Today’s Reading: Esther 6 – 10

“For Mordecai the Jew was second in rank to King Ahasuerus, and he was great among the Jews and popular with the multitude of his brothers, for he sought the welfare of his people and spoke peace to all his people.” Esther 10:3

Mordecai probably gave up a lot the day he took in his cousin to be his daughter. He adopted her into his family and loved her as his very own. It was probably the hardest day of his life the day she had to leave him to go into the castle. Mordecai probably wondered if he would ever see her again, so he decided to sit at the opening of the castle gate, day and night, to catch a glimpse of Esther and make sure she was ok. He saw great potential in Esther and put his life on hold for her future. He probably believed that this was God’s plan for him.

But God can change the paths we are on without ever taking us out of his plan.

God’s plan was definitely for Mordecai to raise Esther the best he could to prepare her to one day be the future Queen. However, God also looked at Mordecai with eyes of greatness and could see that he would be great as a leader in Persia and Media so the Jews would find safety until they were once again free.

Sometimes we get so focused on the straight and narrow, the comfort zone, that we can’t imagine change being part of God’s plans. However, God loves change, it’s what happens in our hearts when we are saved.

Isaiah 55:9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Don’t hold so tight to your ideas of the right ways, because the right way may be to turn left when the map tells you to turn right. God’s path will lead you to higher than your wildest dreams. So, lay down your plan, let God lead you on His path, so that you may soar among the heavens on the journey of our great God.

Day 121 – Our best preparation for our future endeavors comes from the trials of the past.

Today’s Reading: Esther 1 – 5

Esther 2:5-7 “Now there was a Jew in Susa the citadel whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, son of Shimei, son of Kish, a Benjaminite, who had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away. He was bringing up Hadassah, that is Esther, the daughter of his uncle, for she had neither father nor mother. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai took her as his own daughter.”

There is so much to unpack in the story of Esther, but 2 of the main points you see is that all of God’s plans work together and our past truly prepares us for our future.

Hadassah, better know as Esther experienced the trial of abandonment at an early age. This can cause difficulty in building relationships because you are always cautious that they will leave. Esther’s closest of kin was her cousin Mordecai and he took her in as his very own. She was obedient and trusted Mordecai fully. However, just as they were getting their family going King Ahasueris decided to make a decree that all young virgins must come to the palace to be his concubines and possibly one would become his queen.

Esther would once again be ripped away from her family, her known world, to go into the unknown. But with each huge trial Esther faced her faith grew stronger, strength grew in her foundation, and her foundation was defined her character. The changes and trials of her life taught her how to deal with new people and show respect to the authority that she found herself under. Esther won the favor in the eyes of all who beheld her, including the king. Each trial prepared her for the biggest trial she had yet to come across, and these trials grew her faith in the one that would never leave her or forsake her, God.

My husband truly believes that I deal with trials so much better than the average person because like Esther I’ve been through my fair share. My past has strengthened me for my future, and I walk through life with the confidence that this world is but a blip in time, a short period in the midst of eternity. But in all this it is God who works all things out for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. So, we will hold onto this hope, that though we do have trials and tribulations, we will persevere because God has already Won the War of our future.

Day 120 – Remember me for Good.

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 11 – 13

Nehemiah 13:31 “and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits.Remember me, O my God, for good.”

Nehemiah, the common man, accomplished so much for the Call of God. He sought the provision of his King, he fought against his enemy, he gathered a scattered people, he rebuilt the wall and city of Jerusalem, and he reestablished the reading of The Word and the temple work. Among all he did for The Lord, he probably also had a family, kids in Hebrew School, a life, and his job working at the castle. But his focus was on the good of the kingdom of God. No doubt Nehemiah probably yelled at his kids, and disagreed with his wife about dinner. He probably got tired of trying all the Kings food and not getting to finish it. He probably got frustrated with his neighbors for letting their sheep graze in his yard. But none of these things mattered because all he wanted was God to remember him for good.

I’m not perfect, not even close, but my focus is on the Lord and I want Him to remember me for the good I’ve done not the bad I do. I want God to forget my bad and remember my good, and the thing is….I have the promise that He will. (and so do you!)

Colossians 2:13-14 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

When I was saved by Jesus, He forgave me of all my sins. He may still remember all I’ve done, but none of it looks bad, it’s just a memory of me. How am I so sure? Well His Word of Course!

Day 119 – Upside down and inside out is the way the Word of God should infect our lives with Joy and Hope!

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 8 – 10

Nehemiah 8:9-10 “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

The Word of the Lord should fill you with Joy not Grief, but for years I thought I had this all wrong and couldn’t figure out why I was always filled with Joy when I heard His Word spoken. It’s like I had an upside down and inside out theology spoken to me, but in actuality I think I took words spoken years ago out of context. You see, someone once said, “If you are going to church to feel good, you are going to church for the wrong reason.” So, I thought well maybe I’m going to church for the wrong reason because every time I leave church I feel so much better than when I walked in the doors. At that time, I was in the roughest years of my walk. I wasn’t going to feel good, I was going because I needed God in a HUGE way, and oh, how He filled me with His Holy Spirit while I was there. Every time I walked in the church doors His Word would speak to me, sometimes it would convict and sometimes it brought Joy, but it never grieved me. My pastor wasn’t preaching the “Happy Bible”, he was teaching the Whole Word of God.

Even that which convicts us should bring repentance not grief or shame.

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

Through His Word spoken we can find Hope and experience Joy because His Word is spoken right to us. We don’t have to go to church to experience Joy, but we should experience Joy when we go.

Day 118 – Hold tight to your mission!

Todays Reading: Nehemiah 5 – 7

Nehemiah 6:8-9 “Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.”

Last night I was ready to give up my mission. All of it. I felt overwhelmed, under-appreciated, unappreciated, and just down right done.

Nehemiah’s mission to complete the wall was almost finished and everything was going smoothly until the world tried to stop him in his tracks. He had virtually lead the people through a massive capital campaign to rebuild the wall, the temple, and the City of David. Nehemiah could have quit, he could have listened to the words or lack of words of others, but he didn’t. He could have taken advantage of the people and said, “We have our homes back, we’ve done a great job; let’s open up a company that does this around the world.” Instead, Nehemiah chose to deepen his mission not widen his purpose.

Ownership of properties and homes was given to newly freed Jewish men, humility was exemplified to all the people by Nehemiah sharing what he was given, and reunification began for all families brought back into the region. Nehemiah knew that just putting up buildings wasn’t the only thing that needed to happen to rebuild his city, there was also an emotional and human mission that had to be added to make this mission complete.

Satan comes in to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came to bring us life. And when we listen to the lies of the serpent, we can either stop our mission or we can turn our mission into a way of power.

I love to do for others more than I do for myself, especially my family, but sometimes I get overwhelmed with all I’m doing that I lose focus on my mission because no one has acknowledged what I’ve done. I’ve wanted to give up, I’ve wanted to flee, and to be honest, sometimes I have. But what God spoke to me this morning is that my doing for others is my mission, and in my mission I’m going to have Satan trying to stop me, but I need to keep going, keep working, until my mission is complete. Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,”

Day 117 – It’s your Call…Prepare to Rebuild His Wall.

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 2 – 4

Nehemiah 2:12 “Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.”

Nehemiah had a heart filled with compassion for his people, his faith, and His God. When God called him to rebuild the Holy City, his call wasn’t to do it alone, but to lead the effort.

Here are 5 steps Nehemiah took to lead well through His Calling that will help each of us as well.

Nehemiah Inspected the entire situation.

There will be problems and difficulties, but knowing them before they happen will help you prepare for what lies ahead.

Neh.2:13 “I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.”

Next, Nehemiah Rallied the Troops.

God created us in his image to be in relationship with Him and others, so when we get the call it may not be by ourselves but to lead others.

Neh.2:18 “And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, “Let us rise up and build.” So they strengthened their hands for the good work.”

Third, he Delegated to each person the area in which they can best serve.

Each person has different gifts, but each person is necessary and plays a specific part in God’s plan.

Neh. 3:8 “Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired, and they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.”

Then, Nehemiah Prayed and Prepared for the schemes of the Devil.

When you are working on something BIG for God you WILL be attacked.

Neh. 3:9 “And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.”

Finally, he Fought for his Call and Rebuilt His Wall.

Neh. 4:21 “So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.”

When God calls you He will fight with you and for you because God Wins EVERY TIME!

Day 116 – Your reaction to Spiritual Disaster should reflect the Spiritual Compass of your heart.

Today’s Reading Ezra 8 – Nehemiah 1

Nehemiah 1:3-4 “And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.”

The story of Nehemiah never ceases to amaze me. It is the very scripture I was dissecting years ago when I was trying to decide whether to continue with HOPE House Ministries or begin a new Journey at the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.

Nehemiah was no ordinary leader, he was extraordinarily plain, a commoner, a cupbearer to the King, who had a burden for his God, his Faith, and his People. Nehemiah didn’t just hear the news of destruction in his homeland and turn his head away, he prayed, fasted, and petitioned the King even when his life could be on the line.

How do you react when you hear of Spiritual Warfare and Destruction? What about when people go against your beliefs (those that are Biblically sound)? Do you turn your head? Do you close your eyes when you see a woman or child beaten, bruised, and crying? Do you have compassion for the least of these, those less fortunate than you?

OR do you see the need, the battle zone, and arm up?

Do you go to prayer and possibly fasting to seek the Lord and hear how He wants you to respond? Are you ready to make a change, a difference, for your Faith, your brothers and sisters in Christ, your God? Pray that God breaks YOUR Heart for what breaks HIS, and your heart too will be compelled to Action.