Tuesday's Top Ten [Blessings to Beginning Your Day in Scripture]

I read a momma blogger who challenged women to begin their day in Scripture with a question, what does it matter if your home is a mess, if you're a mess on the inside? She asked it with much better clarity and fluidity than I just did, but for the life of me I cannot seem to find who wrote it; but I have not forgotten it. I take joy in tackling this challenge because I know that my focus must be internally and eternally valuable, otherwise I risk being self-reliant, lazy, disheartened, and forgetful.

Reading my bible is a daily undertaking with many, many blessings...

1. Scripture exists for our instruction. (Romans 15:4) Reading word by word, sentence by sentence, book by book teaches believers about who God is, what He has done, and the promises He made. The more we read the more we learn about GOD. The more time we spend in Scripture the more God will open eyes to the truth found in His words.

2. Scripture exists for our encouragement. (Romans 15:4) God has said all He needed to say for our encouragement through Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we have hope. Jesus offers promises of eternal life through faith alone in Him alone (Romans 6:23). When we read about who God is, what He has done, and the evidence of promises kept to people like Abraham and Sarah, or King David, or Moses, or Joshua we can trust that God keeps His word. If He said it, it will be so. And Jesus said that He is life and that by believing in Him, we will be saved (John 20:30-31, the purpose of John) then we know it is true. That is so incredibly encouraging!

3. Scripture exists to help us endure. Jesus struggled in his life. He was persecuted, hated, beat, and sentenced to death. We - as His followers - are not promised an easy life. Jesus said that because He is hated, and we love Him, we too will be hated. However, we are promised that if we persevere to the end, that if we run the race set before us, that if we hold fast to the only thing that will save us: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus - then we will spend an eternity with Jesus in His glory! That gives us reason to endure whatever God gives and whatever God takes away. No matter what God put in our path, we know He is working for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). Like Paul wrote in Romans 8:18, consider the sufferings of this present time to be nothing in comparison to the glory that is to be revealed to us. Wait, like creation, with eager longing for the return of Christ. Because nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). When we learn about this total security in Christ we should be encouraged as we endure trials, temptations, persecution, famine, danger, life, death, rulers, or anything else on all creation.

4. Meditate on God's wondrous works and you will laugh at the time to come (Proverbs 31:25). When you look at all that God has done (just look outside your window and notice the sky, the sun, the clouds, the moon, the stars, the trees, the plants, the birds - all of which exists to prove He is real - Romans 1:21) you will find comfort. He created the earth, the heavens and all that is in it and all of it exists to reveal the power of His word. Also, when you read portions of Scripture like Psalm 104 (my favorite Psalm right now) or Matthew 6:19-33 you begin to notice that He feeds the lions, the birds, He clothes the flowers; His creation looks to Him for food (Psalm 104:27-30). When you consider God's wondrous works (like Elihu told Job to do after losing everything) then you - like Job - will marvel at God, rest in His sovereign hand, and realize that you can laugh at the time to come because God.is.in.control. If He feeds the birds and lions and clothes the flowers, then He will take care of you. Grow in your faith as you meditate on His works every morning. As your faith grows so will your strength and you will not faint on the day of adversity (Proverbs 24:10)

5. When trials come, because they will come, you will be at ease, without dread of disaster (Proverbs 1:33). There are two times in my life where Scripture offered the only comfort in a moment of calamity and heartache. The first was when I received a disparaging text from a friend. The only thing I wanted to do was go back to the hotel room and read my Bible. Once everyone was asleep I pulled out my ESV Bible app and began reading in the Psalms. Psalm after Psalm after Psalm soothed my heart and put my soul at ease until I fell into a restful sleep. God is good. God is faithful. God is sovereign. When my focus changed from the problem to the Problem Solver I was encouraged beyond words. I praised Him for that time, thanking Him for opening my eyes and putting my heart at ease. The second time Scripture comforted my heart the most was after the recent death of a friend. I found out she had passed away at Menard's, shopping with my husband. I didn't have access to a Bible and I was carrying around my two year old. The week before her death I memorized with my children Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." As I wept and walked around Menard's the Holy Spirit kept bringing this verse to mind. When I went home that evening to reread it, I was renewed again by the amazing God we serve,

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. ... Come behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."

As God opens my eyes to Scripture like that doubt gives way to faith though my heart is breaking, fear gives way to fearlessness as I trust in the sovereign God of the universe, sorrow is intermixed with joy as I praise God for who He is. And I know that when trials come again - because they will come - I will be at ease, I will be still for HE.IS.GOD.

6. Faith originates from the word of God. (Hebrews 11:1-3) This portion of Scripture defines faith so well: the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not seen. What is assurance? What does it mean to be assured of something? It means we have confidence, a guaranty, we have freedom from doubt. Isn't that an amazing thought? We have confidence in the things hoped for. We have freedom from doubt from these promises God gave: He promised an eternity in His presence because of our faith in Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection on the cross (Romans 10:9, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, Ephesians 2:10-10, &etc.) Because God has promised; I believe, with confidence, that it will happen.

The second part to that definition is conviction. What is conviction? If you're convicted of something you have a fixed or firm belief due to evidence. What is our evidence? Keep reading in Hebrews,

"For by [faith] the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

We look to creation and know that, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1. How did He create it? by the word of God! We can look to His works of the past (i.e. the creation of His world by His word) to give us confidence of future promises! God spoke. And it was so. Faith does not focus on uncertainties, or unknowns, or trials, or future possibilities; faith looks up to the Creator and meditates on His wondrous works, trusting by faith alone in Christ alone through Scripture alone.

7. Faith is sustained by the word of God. How do we remain steadfast in our faith while living in a world full of lies? Through faith alone in Christ alone found in Scripture alone. It is there we find the hope of salvation offered in the gift of salvation by Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We hold fast to the Jesus Christ of the Bible so that we are not swayed by "human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes, by every wind of doctrine, by empty/hallow philosophy, or tossed to and fro by the waves" (Ephesians 4:14 and Colossians 2:8).

8. Seeing that God is faithful to His word results in a whole-hearted trust in GOD. For example, He promises Abraham and Sarah they will have a child in their old age. Sarah spent her life barren. That resulted in years of heart break. BUT God is faithful to His promise and gives her a child. Sarah experienced -first-hand- God fulfilling His promise. Therefore, she trusted God (Hebrews 11:11, 1 Peter 3:5-6). With endless examples like this to follow throughout Scripture, we too grow in our faith knowing God will come back and give us Himself. He fulfilled promise after promise after promise, reading His faithfulness results in assurance for readers who believe it to be true.

9. God's word gives confidence with a clean conscience. God has promised that because of our faith "that Jesus died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) that we will be saved (Romans 10:9). We have complete assurance that Jesus became sin to take the wrath for that sin on our behalf. Due to this fact, we have confidence of a clean conscience and are able to enter the holiest of holy places: the presence of God! (Hebrews 4:16, 10:19)

10. Knowing God according to what He has said about Himself in His word results in fearlessness. That was how Peter described Sarah, "she did not fear anything that was frightening" because she trusted in God. (1 Peter 3:6) And we have something better than Sarah! We have the Bible, a book that she did not have. The more that we as women read it and take note God's attributes or God's sovereignty, the more fearless we become as our trust grows. And that is what God finds beautiful - a full and complete trust in Him (1 Peter 3:4).

Plus one...

You will be like a tree. If your delight is in the whole of God's Word, and if you meditate on it day and night, you will be like a tree, "planted by streams of water, that yields fruit in its season, and its leave does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:2-4) You will have what you need, you will be useful, you will be eternal, productive, you will have substance - unlike the chaff described in the very next verse. Reading the Bible every day produces amazing results. God will not waste the time you spend in it; you will be blessed. Read it.
Meditate on it.
Memorize it.
Study it.
Learn it.
Grow in it.
Put these words all over your home.
Discover who God is according to what it says.
Be changed by it.

Beginning your day learning about God - who He is, what He has done, the promises He kept and will keep - encourages your soul, gives you reason to endure, relieves you of self-reliance, renews and sustains faith, offers freedom from doubt, ables you to laugh at the time to come, makes you fearless and confident and strong.

That is a pretty incredible way to begin your day.

Most Impactful Scripture of 2017

As I read through my Bible, I'm always amazed at how (no matter how many times I've read from Genesis to Revelation) something new is learned, something new encourages me, some new revelation blows my mind. There are specific portions of Scripture that I can point to that were most impactful as I reflect on the year. One year it was Romans 11:33 - 12:2, another was Job 38-41, or Ephesians 2:1-10, another was Exodus 1-15. I debated for a long time between Luke 1:1-55 or Psalm 46. I decided on the later.

Grab your Bible marking pens, if you mark your Bible. Here's my key:

(I gave that only because I'm going to mark the Psalm as I marked it in my Bible, that way you understand the colors.)

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. OF THE SONS OF KORAH. 

ACCORDING TO ALAMOTH. A SONG.

God is our refuge and strength, 

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, 

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam,  

though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy habitation of the Most High. 

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;

God will help her when morning dawns.

The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; 

he utters his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,

how he has brought desolations on the earth.

He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; 

he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

he burns the chariots with fire.

"Be still, and know that I am God.

I will be exalted among all the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!"

The Lord of hosts is with us; 

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Psalm 46

(*Note - The underlined portion is underlined in red. Whenever things are repeated, I know it's important.)

Mind Boggling Details About This Psalm.

From the beginning you see who God is. He is a refuge. He is the source of His people's strength.

And for those reasons, they will not fear even if the earth falls apart. 

There is a complete trust in God in the midst of colossal calamity.

From the first three verses it is clear that the Psalmist wrote this for Israelites as a means to teach them (through music) to have faith in God - no matter what. And it continues to enthrall the singer...

The city of God = Jerusalem. In the time this Psalm was written God was in the midst of this city. His presence was in the temple. Today, that is not the case. His dwelling place is in his people through the Holy Spirit. The Bride of Christ (those who have faith alone in Jesus Christ alone) are "the holy habitation of the Most High".  Back then the Israelites could look to the temple and feel secure of the promised protection because of their faith, today we rest in the security of salvation through Christ alone, who gives the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49) - the guarantee of our inheritance until we die and acquire possession of it (Ephesians 1:13-14). The promised inheritance is an eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in the city that is to come (Revelation 22:3). This city will not be moved! Jesus will reign supreme as King in this eternal kingdom!

The moment God speaks - all of this turmoil will end.

As God's people look at the works of God, as they reflect on his sovereignty (how he brought desolations on the earth, and then how he ended it - verses 8-9) and rest in this phenomenal truth:

"Be still, and know that I am God. 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalm 46:10 

then they have full assurance that God is with us and God is our fortress. He will not fail.

Why This Psalm Moved Me to the Core.

I have full assurance that because of my faith in the fact that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, that I am His. The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is the same power that resides in me (Luke 24:49, Ephesians 1:13-14). These truths alone help me rest knowing that because Jesus did all the work, I have nothing to fear. Nothing can separate me from His love. 

When I read Psalms like this I am moved beyond words. God is my refuge. He is the source of my strength. He is my fortress. He is in control of the desolations (verse 8b) and He brings them to an end (verse 9). When I read attributes (yellow) like "he utters his voice, the earth melts." (verse 6) I find myself in awe (and a bit fearful) of this powerful God of the universe. 

Those verses are an amazing introduction to what God states in verse 10, "Be still, and know that I am God." 

Though the earth fails.

Though wars wage.

Though earthquakes quake.

Though volcanoes erupt.

Though glaciers melt.

Though presidents fail.

Though fires break out.

Just be still. Be still and know that God is God. He is in control, He is with His people. He is our fortress. 

That is extremely comforting after this last year. So much has happened. Though January and February of 2017 were two of the hardest months I've ever experienced, though April brought many changes to my lifestyle, though July 8 brought sorrow, be still and know that God is God. He will be exalted. He will reign supreme in 2018 as well as He did in 2017. Of that I am certain. 

That is the woman I must become, a woman who laughs at the time to come (Proverbs 31:25). Who, like Sarah, considers God faithful to deliver on His promises (Hebrews 11:11) and does not fear anything that is frightening (1 Peter 3:6b). Though the earth fails, though nations wage war, though earthquakes quake, and fires roar, I do not have to fear because God is God and He is in control.

Story Behind It.
In my daily reading I reached this Psalm the week before a friend passed away. I was so moved by this Psalm I wrote down verse 10 so I could be reminded of it daily, thus committing it to memory. It was this Psalm the Holy Spirit brought to mind over and over and over again after learning of her death. In moments when I felt my faith might fail, or that my assurance was tested, or grief overwhelmed me, I opened my Bible to this Psalm over and over again. And in those moments when my Bible wasn't readily available, "Be still, and know that I am God" played time and time again. This portion of Scripture offered immense comfort in the midst of sorrow.

Just be still.

Then this Christmas my sister-in-law made me the most precious gift. She visited a few weeks after all of this, and I honestly do not remember if I told her this story or not, but I am incredibly thankful for what she made me. It is near and dear to my heart...

What an incredible reminder this verse holds of this last year, which will now hang in our home for years to come. So no matter what God gives or takes away, just be still and know that God is God.

Be fearless.

Favorite Passage in Genesis

I began writing a top ten, the title being 'favorite passages in Scripture' but when my list began with my favorite in Job, to multiple pieces in Ecclesiastes and Romans and Ephesians and Hosea and Isaiah... Proverbs... Psalms... I quickly realized that I could not narrow it down to a mere ten. Sooooo I scraped that idea because it became an impossibility to pick ten. Therefore, I'm going to pick my favorites from each book, beginning a series of blogs about my favorite passages in Scripture. Who knows how long this will take, but I cannot wait to share with you my favorite part in Genesis!

The story of Joseph is a favorite because it is quite clear that God at work setting up the story of the passover where He reveals Himself as the only true God - establishing His mighty name and the giving of His Word. The Israelites had to be in Egypt in order for any of this to happen and He used Joseph in amazing ways.

The Background Story
First God gives Joseph dreams that illustrate the power he'll have in Egypt, but his lack of humility to his brothers gets him in a bit of trouble. They act on their jealousy by selling him into slavery. He ended up in the home of Potiphar, who was an officer of Pharaoh and there he became the overseer of the home because, "The Lord was with Joseph and he became a successful man." (39:2) But Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him and when she failed at doing so, she accused him of trying to rape her. He was sent to jail, "where the king's prisoners were confined" (39:20). These things were horrible, but they were not an accident! He was a slave to one of the most powerful men in Egypt so that he would end up in a specific prison so he would interpret the dreams of the man who tested PHARAOH'S cup. God orchestrated each of these events to put Joseph in a place of power so that Israel would bring his family to Egypt so that years later God would deliver His people with a mighty and outstretched arm! 

My favorite passage explains this, but just to clarify this fact, look at the rest of the story: The keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners. Why? Read 39:20: "BUT the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison." "Some time later" (it could've been many years) two men were thrown in prison for angering Pharaoh. It 'just so happened' that they were put in the prison with Joseph, where he attended them. They each had disturbing dreams and were distraught because of them. Joseph's response to them both, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me." (40:8) Once they did, Joseph told them the interpretation and they came true. It wasn't until two years later that the cup-bearer remembered Joseph and it was all because Pharaoh had disturbing dreams! As a result, Joseph gave God the glory for the interpretation, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." (41:16) Once Joseph told Pharaoh about the seven years of prosperity followed by the seven years of famine, Joseph makes this amazing statement, "God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do." 41:28 Pharaoh was so amazed at Joseph's wisdom that he Pharaoh put him second in command. During the seven plentiful years (that God brought about - reread 41:28) Joseph stored up food to prepare for the famine (that God brought about - reread 41:28) and when his brothers heard of Egypt having food, they went to get some for themselves, and once they realized it was Joseph they bowed down to (remember the dreams that began this fiasco in the first place?), the entire family came to Egypt and Joseph took care of them!

*You should know that this portion of my Bible has a lot of purple underlines and highlights. Purple = God's sovereignty (In other words, every piece that illustrates that God was in control is purple.) I encourage you to read this story beginning in Genesis 37.

My Favorite Passage
I do not know how long Joseph was a slave or how long exactly he was a prisoner or how many years he had to wait to see his father, brother Benjamin, or how long it took to see his first dreams fulfilled (where his brothers bow down to him), but this story illustrates God's sovereignty beautifully: God works all things out for good according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) ALL things. Not just some things. He works out the good and the bad for His purpose and my favorite passage in Genesis proves it:

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." Genesis 50:20

Joseph forgave his brothers and in doing so relayed this message: when you sold me into slavery, you meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. Nothing was an accident, or happen-chance. God did it because He had a plan to save lives and He was going to fulfill the promise He made way back to Abraham, which Joseph reminded his brothers on his death bed, "I am about to die, but God will visit you and bring you up out of this land to the land that he swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob." Genesis 50:24

Which brings me to my next favorite passage in Scripture... so stay tuned!

Tuesday's Top Ten [Bible Verses Relevant to Presidential Elections]

"... there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." Romans 13:1 If it were true in Paul's time (the author of Romans) then it's true today. And what was Paul's advice to the Roman Christians who endured persecution from the rulers (instituted by God)? Submit to them. Therefore, we shall as well and TRUST God's plan, whatever it may be.

"The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men." Daniel 4:17 If it was true in Daniels time that God, the Most High, rules the kingdom of men and sets over it whom he will, then I believe that our unchanging, all-powerful, all mighty, sovereign God still rules the kingdom of men and sets over it whomever HE chooses. And from the looks of it, it'll be the lowliest.

"The kings heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." Proverbs 21:1 If God controls the heart of a king, I am 110% convinced that includes the president of the United States. Do I know why things are going the way they're going? Nope. I am not God and I do not know what the future holds except this: He wins. (Read Revelation 19:11 - 20.)

Have you read the story of how God saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt? (Exodus 1 - 15) Time and time and time again God tells Moses that He is going to harden Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh. The king of Egypt. A man whom the people worshiped as a god. (Remember? The kings heart is a stream of water int he hand of the Lord.) Egypt at this time was one of the most powerful nations in the world (sound familiar?  Hmmmm... like the United States is today?) Read statements like, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." (Exodus 4:21) and again in 7:3, "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Then I will lay my hand on Egypt and bring my hosts, my people, the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great acts of judgment. The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them." and again in 9:12, "But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh, and he did not listen to them, as the Lord had spoken to Moses."  and again in 9:14-16, "I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." again in 10:1-2 and 10:20 and 10:27 and 11:10 and 14:4, 8, 17. What was God's reasoning? To proclaim HIS NAME! So that the most powerful nation on the earth and the people of Israel knew that HE IS GOD and there is none like Him. He will do what He will do when He pleases because He is God and it is HIS NAME and HIS WORD that will endure for all eternity (Psalm 138:2). It is just as true now as it was in the day of Moses! He will harden hearts and His Name will be proclaimed, even kings and presidents IF it is HIS will.

So what must we do? Like the Israelites coming out of Egypt: Be silent. He does the fighting. We must only trust in HIS plan, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." (Exodus 14:14) How did God fight and win? Read the story in Exodus and then in Revelation 19-20. He wins. He ALWAYS wins. So no matter the outcome of this presidential election, HE WON.

"Behold I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Revelation 22:12 No matter the president chosen on this day or from now until the day Jesus returns, HE is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. The Alpha and the Omega. The King of kings and Lord of lords who institutes authority, sets over rulers, rules the kingdom of men, and holds the hearts of every ruler in his hand as though it were a stream of water. He is worthy of praise and our complete and utter trust.

"I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away." Ecclesiastes 3:14-15 God has decreed everything that's going to happen and He does things for a purpose. Who are we to question it? It's already been done.

Plus we do not understand His thoughts or His ways! "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:8-11 Can't get much clearer than that. Whatever He says will be done and it will accomplish His purpose and it will succeed, because He declared it. That is as true in Isaiah's time as it is today!

Because, "For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps." Psalm 135:6

and He also declares things that have not been done, "I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand and I will accomplish all my purpose;' Isaiah 46:10

And 11 for good measure:
If you don't like this truth I dare you to take it up with God! Job tried with comments such as, "Today also my complaint is bitter; my hand is heavy on account of my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! I would lay my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments." (Job 23:1-4) What bold arrogance! And it would be easy for us to justify his complaint, after all he had much to be bitter about. He lost everything. Yet, we complain as much, or more, than Job making comments such as, "Today my complaint is bitter on account of the new president! Oh, that I knew where I could find God that I might come to his throne! I would lay my case before him, because my way is best and I would argue the authority he set in place because I know best." You might receive such responses such as this, "Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? Adorn yourself with majesty and dignity; clothe yourself with glory and splendor. Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is around and abase him. Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low and tread down the wicked where they stand. Hide them all in the dust together; bind their faces in the world below. Then will I also acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you." (God's response to Job in 40:8-14.) In other words, can you do such things as command lightening to strike a mark (Job 36: 32, 38:35) or lay the foundation of an earth (Job 38:4) or loose the cords of Orion (Job 38:31) or thunder with a voice like his or adorn yourself with majesty and dignity, glory and splendor? You can't?! Well then stop and consider the wondrous works of God (Job 37:14) and do nothing else! Respond as Job does after hearing the word of God, "I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted." (Job 42:2) Hallelujah and AMEN!

No matter the president, no matter your earthly circumstances, look up, watching and waiting for the returning of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is King. And the one who will stand as President will be President because it is HIS will. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is outside of His control. Not even the President of the United States.

Whew. What an amazing relief.

Now, go do your duty and prayerfully vote, but vote resting in the almighty sovereignty of God, knowing that not one purpose of His can be thwarted and whatever He pleases, He does, because He.is.God. 

Tuesday's Top Ten Plus Ten [Favorite Bible Stories]

Last week Melany and I wrote about what we believed about the Bible and this week is all about our favorite Bible stories! The Bible is one amazing book...

1. The woman who washed Jesus' feet with her hair. (Luke 7:36-50) I wrote about this story nearly two years ago and every time I read it, it has the same effect on me. (Read my post titled Canceled Debt.) I can relate to this woman and Jesus' statement, "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." (vs.47) That's me. My sins are many and so I kneel before God in thanksgiving and praise for the work He has done and is doing in my life.

2. When Jesus claims authority over the Sabbath. (Mark 2:23-3:6) This story shows up again in Matthew 12:1-14, Luke 6:1-11, and John 5:15. It's basically written the same four different times and here's the gist: "One Sabbath [Jesus] was going through the grain fields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" Jesus response to this question blows.me.away. "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and at the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to this who were with him? The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." (vs. 25-28) Basically, the needs of David's men took precedence over ceremonial bread and Sabbath rules! Jesus is telling them that HE IS GREATER THAN DAVID AND THE TEMPLE! He made the Sabbath, He owns it, He made the rules and Jesus was telling them, "IT IS MINE!" The best part of this story is the continuation into chapter 3 of Mark where Jesus intentionally provokes controversy when He entered the synagogue and told a man with a withered hand to "Come here." (vs.3) and proceeded to ask this amazing question, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" And no one had an answer for him. After He healed the man's hand the Pharisees sought ways to destroy Him. And this is why this story is so extremely powerful: Jesus put the issue of the Sabbath on a new plane: the Sabbath is for expressing Jesus' rule and authority - not Moses' - it is for worshipping CHRIST. It is for relieving man, not burdening him. And for showing mercy and doing good - just like CHRIST. Jesus is telling them to REST IN ME. WORSHIP ME. EVERY DAY. I AM YOUR SABBATH.

3. The story of Job. Although it has a sad beginning, I LOVE this story. Job loses every thing: his wealth, his children, his health and then every one turns against him - including his wife (2:9). His three "friends" give horrible advice, telling him he deserves what happened to him because of his sin. Here's the thing, Job was a righteous man and it had nothing to do with Job's sin. God gave Satan permission to touch all that belonged to Job to see if Job would continue to follow Him or turn away from Him. Instead of blaming Job for all his tribulations his friends should've taken Elihu's advice in 37:14, "... stop and consider the wondrous works of God." (which I believe is the entire purpose of this book). No matter what you're going through, stop and consider the wondrous works of God! Even if you lose everything... praise God! Do not be like Job who started out doing just that, but then turned to complaining and begging God for an answer to his "why me?!" Instead of praising God, he begins to conflict with God (see 3:26, 6:8-9, 7:11, 9:15, 10:1-2, 13:3, 13:15, 21:15, 23:1, 23:4, 23:17, 31:35, 31:37). And God's answer to Job is awesome, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know!" (I'm sensing God's wrath and perhaps a bit of sarcasm?) God continues to lay out his mighty works in chapters 38 - 41 and after this AMAZING discourse, Job promises silence in 40:4-5 (which I believe is the climax of the book) and repents in chapter 42! Read it to find the happy ending, but learn from Job: no matter what - praise God! And if you need reason to praise Him read what He says about Himself in 38 - 41 (My favorite is when He tells Job that He can put Leviathan on a leash... wow... or when he simply states, "Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine." (41:11) Even what was taken from Job and even what was given to him at the end. Amazing.)

4. The Lord freeing Israel from bondage in Egypt. (Exodus 1-15) If you want to read a perfect example about God's Sovereignty - read this story. Every time I came across something that pointed to God's sovereign hand - I highlighted it. God was in control from the beginning starting with why the Israelites were there (see #9) to the very end when the Israelites were freed from slavery. In this story you learn God's name (3:14) and you learn the reason this event is about to take place, "So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it;" (3:20). God's sovereignty is on display with Pharaoh when He hardens his heart again and again, "I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go." (4:21) Why did he do that? Well each of the plagues pointed to each of the god's the Egyptians worshipped. In other words, God is sending sign after sign after sign stating, "I AM THE ONLY LIVING AND TRUE GOD!" Need proof? Read 7:5, "The Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out my hand against Egypt and bring out the people of Israel from among them." or "By this you shall know that I am the Lord..." (7:17) or "...so that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God." (8:20) or in 9:14-16 (my favorite), "For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth." (bolded mine) or 9:29 or 10:3 or 11:9 or 13:8-9 or 14:4 (another favorite) "I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord." He states that again in 14:17-18. He is in control! This story makes His sovereign hand evident from beginning to end. They were in bondage because God wanted His Name glorified in all the earth! They were freed from bondage because God wanted His Name glorified in all the earth! Praise God for His sovereignty!

5. The story of Onesimus, the slave of Philemon. There's this itty-bitty book that's less than one page in length, sitting in the New Testament, that shares an amazing story of forgiveness and grace. Paul is asking Philemon to forgive his slave (Onesimus) who ran away from him and probably wronged him in more ways than that. Paul is asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus in his home, not as a slave, but as fellow follower of Jesus Christ. The key verse is in 18 where Paul is giving a wonderful example of what God did through Jesus Christ, "If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account." In other words, just like Christ, Paul was willing to pay this man's debt, but Paul, knowing Philemon's faith in Christ, would forgive and welcome Onesimus (just like Jesus). Beautiful.

6. The widow's offering. (Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4) This woman had little, but she gave all she had. Jesus praised her for her sacrifice. I need to be more like this woman.

7. The plot to kill Jesus. (John 11:45-57) Ahhhh! Another amazing example of God's sovereignty. This event happened just after Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and as a result of that miracle many people were following Jesus. This of course upset the Pharisees and the chief priests so they gathered together and plotted how to kill him. What the high priest says is this, "You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish." (vs.50) What John wrote about this one statement is incredible, "He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." (vs.51-52) Get this: "These words spoken by the high priest sealed Jesus' fate. These words were his death warrant. Caiaphas, the high priest, wanted Jesus dead and out of the way so he spoke these words. God wanted Jesus dead and risen and reigning forever, so he spoke these words." (- John Piper) Isn't that amazing?! God parodied this high priests words into truth! God himself issued the death warrant for Jesus knowing that Jesus would prevail! Jesus would be victorious! The only reason the high priest spoke these words (remember, "he prophesied") is because GOD BROUGHT THESE WORDS TO MIND. God is the author of HIS story; this story makes that evident. *Mind.Boggling.*

8. Abraham's faith in God when he was asked to sacrifice his only son Isaac. (Genesis 22:1-19) Abraham had an unwavering faith in God and His Word. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac, even after God had promised that a mighty nation would come of his son, Abraham followed through. His statement to his son when he asked, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" Abraham's response, "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son." (vs. 7-8) What faith! Just as he was lifting the knife God called out to him saying, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." Abraham knew the Lord would provide because Abraham knew God would keep His Word. Do I have faith like that?

9. When Joseph makes himself known to his brothers that sold him into slavery. (Genesis 45:1-28) This part of the story is awesome because of Joseph's response to the brothers who wronged him: "... do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." He again points to God's Sovereignty in the midst of heartache in verse 7, "God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here but God." God is in control of this whole story. Which leads into the future where God displays his mighty Name through Pharaoh and the plagues (see #4)!

10. The Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) There is no better story than that of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is through His work that we are righteous. And because He is our High Priest, our Mediator, our Savior we have reason to praise His Name - now and for all eternity.

My goodness. Writing a brief summary of all my favorite stories makes me want to jump up and sing praises to an amazing, almighty, sovereign GOD! 

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant Book Review

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Veronica Roth, if you ever read this review (ha) take what I say next as a compliment, if I ever meet you I'd pull a Dauntless and punch you in the face.

Seriously.

Reason being? I LOVED these books and highly recommend them to any and all readers. However, take the advice of two of my former students, "Prepare for severe emotional trauma." (Hence the reason for wanting to "punch her in the face" for getting me emotionally involved in a fictional story... ugh...) If you're anything like me, you fall in love with the characters authors introduce you to, or you hate them. In my case I have a serious dislike for Tris and I LOVE the character Tobias. I think the traits I most admire in people and in characters (based on my original top ten character list) is loyalty, devotion, sensibility, and selflessness and all those traits describe Tobias.

PLUS, Veronica Roth is a Christian. In each book her first acknowledgement goes to God and His promises. Also, she inserts Biblical truth throughout this story: depravity, life after death, devotion, God's sovereignty and our inferiority.

Depravity? 
Depravity is the abandonment of all things good. Because of our sin, things will not get better. It's a fact of life. There is no good in people except from God. (That's Romans 1-3.) It's evident Roth understands this Biblical truth in her writing,

"One of the lines I remember from the Dauntless manifesto is, 'We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.'"Will sighs.He doesn't need to say anything else. I know what he means. Maybe Dauntless was formed with good intentions, with the right ideals and the right goals. But it has strayed far from them. And the same is true of Erudite, I realize. A long time ago, Erudite pursued knowledge and ingenuity for the sake of doing good. Now they pursue knowledge and ingenuity with greedy hearts. I wonder of the other factions suffer from the same problem. I have not thought about it before.Despite the depravity I see in Dauntless, though, I could not leave it. It isn't only because the thought of living faction less, in complete isolation, sounds like a fate worse than death. It is because, in the brief moments that I have loved it here, I saw a faction worth saving. Maybe we can become brave and honorable again." (p. 140-141, Divergent)

When Tris receives peace serum, which makes her loopy, Tobias states to the Amity leader that she must give all Amity members the serum in order to keep peace because...

"I'm not an idiot. Every member of your community has trouble keeping the peace, because their all human...." (p.63, Insurgent)

We are such dirty, rotten sinners that we want nothing to do with God. (Again, that's Romans ch.3.) In fact, Paul quotes Scripture that states, "No one seeks for God. No one understands." Scripture states that our "throats are open graves" and we seek destruction. There is nothing good in us because we are sinners. As a result we deserve death. BUT while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, and our faith in Him is our ONE AND ONLY ticket to heaven. (Romans 5:8) Isn't that an amazing gift?

Life After Death? 
Tris' (Beatrice) thoughts on life after death:

"I don't believe that what comes after depends on anything I do at all." (p. 379, Insurgent) 

Nope, it doesn't. Salvation is a free gift of God through faith in Jesus Christ alone. By believing in the gospel (that Jesus lived, died, rose again, and is seated at the right hand of God all according to Scripture) is our gift of salvation. That's it. By confessing and believing that Jesus is Lord, that He is who He said He was, we are saved from an eternity in hell. It doesn't have anything to do with us, so that no one can boast. We boast in Jesus and His work. Not ours.

A conversation had an an Amity religious ceremony:

"May the peace of God be with you," she says, her voice low, "even in the midst of trouble.""Why would it?" I say softly, so one one else can hear. "After all I've done...""It isn't about you," she says. "It is a gift. You cannot earn it, or it ceases to be a gift." (p.440, Insurgent) 

She's absolutely right in that the hope we have in God as a result of the gift of Jesus Christ (aka the peace of God) has absolutely nothing to do with what we can or cannot do. It is purely the work of God. Salvation is a gift!

Devotion? 

"I used to think that when people fell in love, they just landed where they landed, and they had no choice in the matter afterward. And maybe that's true of beginnings, but it's not true of this, now.I fell in love with him. But I don't just stay with him by default as if there's no one else available to me. I stay with him because I choose to, every day that I wake up, every day that we fight or lie to each other or disappoint each other. I choose him over and over again, and he chooses me." (p. 372, Allegiant)

How beautiful is that? Love is a choice we make over and over and over again. It isn't an emotional experience. It is a choice. Perfect.

Our Inferiority? God's Sovereignty? 

"How big is it compared to the rest of the world?" Peter says from across the plane. He sounds like he's choking on each word. "Our city, I mean. In terms of land area. What percentage?" "Chicago takes up about two hundred twenty-seven square miles," says Zoe. "The land area of the planet is a little less than two hundred million square miles. The percentage is...so small as to be negligible." She delivers the facts calmly, as if they mean nothing to her. But they hit me square in the stomach, and I feel squeezed, like something is crushing me into myself. So much space. I wonder what it's like in the places beyond ours; I wonder how people live there.I look out the window again, taking slow, deep breaths into a body too tense to move. And as I stare out at the land, I think that this, if nothing else, is compelling evidence for my parents' God, that our world is so massive that it is completely out of our control, that we cannot possibly be as large as we feel. So small as to be negligible. It's strange but there's something in that thought that makes me feel almost... free." (p. 186-187, Allegiant) 

We are small. Teeny. Tiny. In comparison to a God who holds the universe in His hand! He is in fact, in control of it all, and she's right, it's worry-free!

Despite Veronica's obvious attempt to transplant Biblical truth into her story, I would not consider this a "Christian" series. I highly recommend it because it is very well written! She has a knack for planting seeds while telling an excellent story. Prepare yourself, however, for a not-so-happy ending BUT also concluding with an ounce of unexpected hope.

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"The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett [Book Review]

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this way back when and watched the movie more times than I can count growing up. I love the story itself, I always have, always will. After finishing it this go-around, as a woman concrete in my theology as a Christian, I grimaced at the author's take on the Doxology in comparison to magic. It left an awful taste in my mouth, I love the story line without it. If I go into to much detail I would give away the story, but let me let me quote the Doxology to you... "Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen."

Beautiful song. EVERYONE Praise God in all circumstances: for your blessings and for your trials because He is sovereign and beyond our understanding.

How beautiful would this story be if she stuck to one concept: God's Sovereignty. God's sovereignty in Dickon's healing. God's sovereignty in his Father's life, his mother's death, for the change in attitude, and for the friends in his life. Rather, they sang the song not as praise to an almighty God and what He does in our life, but a "fitting" song to go along with Dickon's speech on magic and what "magic" did in his life. Bleh. Didn't like it. It seriously ruined it for me.

If she would've JUST talked about magic. Fine. (It's a fiction story for crying out loud!)

If she would've JUST talked about God's Sovereignty. AWESOME, even better!

But to take a hymn designed to express praise to a sovereign God and mix it with chanting about magic? Backwards and screwy. I JUST did NOT like it.

So I recommend the book as a GREAT story, but not one I could recommend to teach any valuable lessons on Christianity (which I didn't expect it to) but don't talk about magic mumbo jumbo and mix it in with a praise song for pete's sake. Christian parents: If you read this with your child, be prepared for this conversation!

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"The Dime That Lasted Forever" by Rochunga Pudaite [Book Review]

The Dime That Lasted Forever by Rochunga Pudaite
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Story after story came alive as Rochunga shared God's faithfulness in his life. His life of prayer and thanksgiving in all circumstances is an inspiration! Time and time again God met his needs. Rochunga's faith is one to emulate and his story is definitely a "must read". Christians will find encouragement in each page as Rochunga gives glory to our miraculous, mighty, all-knowing God.

Wow. Thank you Rochunga for sharing your adventurous testimony, giving encouragement to all who read it!

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