Total Recall

Malachi 3:16- "Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, And the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him, For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name"

What we've seen the Lord do in the past, propels our faith about what He'll do in the future

There's a game I play with my kids on the rare evenings when we all sit down and eat dinner together. Suggested by a friend, we take turns and share the "highlights" and "lowlights" from our day. And at the end of the sharing time, we also each say how we saw God work in our lives. While my kids are still at the age of being repetitive with their answers (I got to play with so-and-so or I didn't get to play with so-and-so) the practice of remembering is the ultimate goal.

These few minutes allow me to have crucial glimpses into my children's lives. I learn nuggets of information that help me know how to instruct, guide conversation, ask questions, and I gain fuel that powers my prayer time. But even more importantly, the game has become a way of helping us identify and remember God's hand and movement in our lives.

The Old Testament is full of stories about when God has Israel remember. An example is found in Deuteronomy 3:21-22 "...saying, 'Your eyes have seen all that the Lord your God has done to these two kings; so will the Lord do to all the kingdoms through which you pass. You must not fear them, for the Lord your God Himself fights for you.'"

Just like Israel, we face situations that cause discouragement, fear, and frustration. We encounter "giants", obstacles, and pitfalls. However, we have a God who wants us to remember. He wants us to remember the valleys He has walked us through, the rivers we have waded together, and the mountains He has moved. When I hit the pause button on my life and recall where I've been and what God has done, my perspective about what I may be facing drastically changes. Suddenly, instead of narrowly focusing on the problem, I'm persuaded to examine the possibilities.

This practice of recall teaches me that sometimes looking behind is the best way to move forward. Remembering what God has done causes me to be excited about going further. In fact, I gain strength and confidence to face what may still be in front of me because I know I'm not alone and I have a God who is actively involved in my life. This is exactly the Lord's intention and why He directed Israel to remember all that He had done in the past for them.

I encourage you to take a few moments and write down just five things you remember about what God has done for you. They may seem small but they are not insignificant. It blesses God when we remember how He has moved on our behalf. And our faith is built up knowing He will do it again in the future.

BTW- here's a great summer family project: Write your family's own Book of Remembrance. Purchase a journal from your local Walmart or Target and label it "Book of Remembrance". For families with young children, appoint someone older in the family to be the "recorder" and throughout the summer take turns filling in the journal pages about memories of what God has done. This can be done during a specific meal time or one evening a week (instead of watching tv reruns). For families with older children, leave the journal in a common place (next to kitchen table, living room desk, etc.) and encourage everyone to write in it as often as possible. But it's still important to review the journal entries together at least once a week.
At the end of each session, spend time thanking God for what He has done. Praise Him for his Faithfulness and Goodness. This is also an appropriate time to lift up any petitions or prayer requests. (Philippians 4:6-7)

(If you decide to do this, please let me know- I'd love to hear what God does for you)

Further encouragement:
Isaiah 43: 2- "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."
Hebrews 13:8- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Psalms 103
Hebrews 11

Desolate Heights

Numbers 23:3-4 "...So he went to a desolate height. And God met Balaam..."

Honestly, this past week has been incredibly difficult. Overdue bills, my son's continual struggle against autism, parenting challenges with tweeners, and childcare issues during vacation- the list is endless and the circumstances overwhelming. Quickly, my vision of Who God Is became blurry and faded, my faith strained, and I feel as if I'm at a "desolate height". It seems as if I'm in a far off, lonely place, and I wonder where God is, what He is doing, and what I'm supposed to do. Questions, fatigue, and discouragement try to settle into my soul. And the battle is just plain hard. (Been there?)

But God is faithful and gracious, and He always brings His Word to me at just the right time. This morning, as I read in Numbers 23, I was uplifted by the Truth that God meets us in desolate places. And during worship at church today, I heard the Holy Spirit remind me of Who God Is when I am in the desolate place.

Desolate for a spouse? He is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5)
Desolate in finances? He is my Provider (Philippians 4:19)
Desolate in relationships? He is my Friend (John 15:14)
Desolate in sorrow? He is my Comforter (Isaiah 35:10)
Desolate in wisdom? He is my Counselor (John 14:16)
Desolate for a parenting partner? He is my chidren's Instructor (Isaiah 54:13)
Desolate in the past? He is my Rebuilder & Restorer (Isaiah 58:12 & 61:4)

Now I'm considering that maybe the desolate places are not such a bad thing. Perhaps living in or through the desolate places is more about my perspective than the problem. Instead of looking at the situation, I need to look to the Savior. I'm realizing that the purpose of a desolate place is so I can know God in a new way.

I'm absolutely convinced that no matter the desolate place- God Is and He Has a name in response to the desolation. My spirit is renewed as I begin to speak the names of God over my life and over my situations: Faithful, Truth, Way-maker, Just, Everlasting Father, Counselor, Mediator, King of kings, Redeemer, Ancient of Days. The moment I begin to confront the earthly realities in my life with the Ultimate Reality of God- things begin to change. They have to because God doesn't change.

Know today that God desires to meet you in your desolate height. It doesn't matter how you got there, He longs to speak with you, lead you, comfort you, and be Who you need Him to be right now exactly where you are.

Further encouragement:
Numbers 23:19- "God is not man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?"
Psalms 121:2- "My help comes from the Lord, Who made the heaven and earth."
Hebrews 13:5-6- "...For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'"

A Dancing God

Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in your midst, The Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

I love this verse. The incredible thought of God being in my midst- the blending of His presence with mine. I find such deep comfort in His promise to save. The reassurance of His strength and protection lifts my heart. In this truth, I'm able to take a deep breath and know that everything will be alright, no matter what is going on around me. His love steadies me and I experience peace and rest knowing that He loves me unconditionally. And I smile to think of God having a good time, dancing, and rejoicing over me.

How amazing to think that the Creator of all things believes I am worth celebrating. And that He is singing while He celebrates. When I pause and think about what this really means I can hardly believe it's true. After all, God spoke everything into existence. He said "Let there be..." and it was. We don't know if each act of creation was just a statement or a shout but the power and firmness of His Voice carried His Will into creative existence. So imagine... God singing.

What does God's singing voice sound like? Does it sound like a bubbling brook or the mighty crashing waves? Perhaps the echo of a hawk's cry in a canyon or the rushing whisper of a breeze through a sanctuary of trees on a mountainside. Does His singing fill the chambers of every heavenly realm? Or is it a harmonic strain that weaves it's way into the nooks and crannies of my heart?

And imagine God dancing... dancing, moving, swaying, spinning. God finding the beat, enjoying the rhythm, throwing His head back and laughing, "busting a move". There are tears in my eyes as I picture the purity and sincerity of a God who knows how to party. Our God sees us and celebrates us for who we really are- the pinnacle of His creation.

Oh how He loves us. He loves you. In case no one has ever told you before you- God celebrates your life. He enjoys your every breath, every moment of your life. In fact, He made you just so that you could know Him and His incredible love for you.

I know- at times I'm tempted to think it's too good to be true. But it is true. Take this week and let this truth wallow around inside your heart and mind. There is a God who loves you and celebrates you. He sings over you. He dances because of you.

Further encouragement:
Psalm 42: 8- "The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me..."
Deuteronomy 30:9- "...For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers"
Isaiah 65:19- "I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying."

An Isaac Journey

Genesis 22:2- "Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."

"When the journey takes you where you don't want to go."

I sort of chuckle out loud when I hear this phrase. It seems so familiar to my life. And it does make me think of the story of Abraham. I'm reminded of how God interrupted his life and told him to leave his family, his country, and go to an unknown place. However that commanded invitation at least included a list of promised blessings- something to hold on for and look forward to. Abram had hope. (story found in Genesis 12)

But not so with the Isaac command. That time God simply gives a clear instruction with vague directions- no guarantee, no promises, just a test. And this isn't an ordinary test- God asks Abraham to relinquish what he holds most dear to his heart. In fact, God asks Abraham to give back the actual fulfillment of those promised Blessings.

Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever wondered why God would lead you down a dangerous or undesired path for no apparent reason? I know several times over the last few years I've experienced what I call "Isaac moments". Those situations or seasons of life in which God asks me to "let go of", "give up", or return something that previously was a blessing or an answer to prayer. Difficult at best, painful, agonizing, challenging, and ridiculous are words that hardly describe the realness of those times in my life.

But there is something encouraging in Abraham's story. A lesson that I try to grab hold of because I believe it is truth. And it all boils down to willingness and worship.

First, Abraham got up early to go on the dreaded "Isaac journey". Most assuredly, he didn't want to go and he didn't feel like going but he was convinced that willingness to obey was important to God. Secondly, when asked about what he was doing, he told people he was going to worship. He didn't complain, he didn't try to make the situation something it wasn't. Somewhere, at some point in time, he had realized that God knew something he didn't and that God could be trusted.

So my prayer is that during these Isaac journeys I am willing to go where God asks me to go and do what He asks me to do. Whether it is hard or painful, I desire to trust Him. I also pray that I have an attitude of worship. That my words speak of His Faithfulness and His Ability. So even as I look toward a mountain upon which a sacrifice must be made, I remember His familiarity with that journey- for He gave His only Son on a mountain- just so I could know Him. It is that kind of love that persuades me that God knows something I don't and He can be trusted.

Further encouragement:
Psalms 73:25-26- "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Isaiah 41:10- "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen You, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."
Philippians 3:8- "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ"

The Threads of Life

Exodus 25:2 & 4 "...From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering...blue, purple, and scarlet thread.."

Encouragement found my heart this morning as I read through God's "how to build a tabernacle" instruction manual. That probably sounds a little strange so let me explain.

Right now during this season of life God is inviting me to give "threads" of my life to Him. Some of these threads are a result of plucking and tugging at snags and knots in the fabric of my life. (And yes, plucking and tugging has resulted in some holes that require a certain amount of stitching and mending.) Other threads have a mysterious past, I'm not exactly sure how or when they came into my possession.

Although uniquely colored and textured, individually these threads are not worth much- if anything at all. I don't know why I've held onto them this long except for the reason of habit and maybe just a bit of nostalgia. After all, who wants to forget memories.

I don't really understand what God wants with my threads. What could the Grand Artist and Designer of the universe, the Breath of Life, and the Master of all things do with some useless threads? And then, I read this...

Exodus 28:5-6 "...they shall take the gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and the fine linen, and they shall make the ephod of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, artistically worked."

My heart found hope this morning when I read those verses. God wants my threads, the ones that I willingly offer up to Him so He can fashion them into a holy garment for me to wear in service to Him. Those threads are not wasted. He has a plan to use them and me. But the formation of the holy garment requires His touch-His Artistic Design.

So willingly I offer my threads to Him and wait. And eagerly anticipate the day when I get to wear those threads and serve others on His behalf.

Further encouragement:
Isaiah 61:3- "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness..."
Isaiah 61:10- "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness..."

*To learn more about the ephod, I recommend the following:
http://www.templemountfaithful.org/Newsletters/2001/5761-9.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephod
http://bibleencyclopedia.com/ephod.htm

The Settled Word

Psalms 119:89 "Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven" (NKJV)

This particular verse just jumped off the page at me as I was reading my Bible this morning. There is a lot going on in this passage (verses 49-96) but what I see most is that no matter what is happening on the outside- trials, afflictions, other people making bad choices that affect me- those things cannot change God or His Word.

God's Word is settled. Literally, His Word is stationed, appointed, set in place. God's Word is not formed or shaped or eroded by circumstances- it is already established and founded. What confidence this gives me knowing that I can trust God's Word. God's Word is enduring and believable. It has stood and continues to stand the test of time.

Regardless of what we face each day: financial difficulties, parenting woes, health problems, soul anguish- we can be secure that our environment and circumstances do not dictate God's willingness to respond to our need. He has already declared His promises for our lives, His guarantee of power and authority, His everlasting love, and ultimate victory over our destiny.

Knowing this helps make my choice easy today. I choose to trust God's Word. I press in and move forward. His Word is sure and upon Him I can depend!

Further encouragement:
Isaiah 40:8- "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the Word of our God stands forever."
Isaiah 55:11- "So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it"
Luke 11:28- "But He said, 'More than that, blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.'"
Mark 13:31- "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away."