Resisting the Urge to Run

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13-14

Exodus 14:13-14 is Joanne of An Open Book pick for this week’s Monday Manna. It provides an opportunity for fellow bloggers to chew on the same scripture passage and share their insights.

Most of us are probably familiar with the Israelites exodus from Egypt. Oppressed for hundreds of years, they suddenly found themselves in the midst of God’s deliverance plan. However, it didn’t feel or look much like deliverance to them. In fact, it seemed foolish to leave oppressive comfort for a wilderness journey full of the unknown. So foolish that they were complaining and seeking to go back to bondage. Not to mention that their taskmasters were now pursing them.

When posed with danger, it is natural to be scared and to be tempted to run. Which makes Moses instructions sound illogical and like a sure recipe for disaster. So what does it take for one to be able to follow such unnatural instructions?

The exact same thing it takes for you and I to follow the illogical instructions, we hear uttered to us in our daily lives. TRUST.

To stand still when everything in us wants to run.

To forge ahead when our knees are shaking.

To face our enemies instead of avoiding them.

To rely on God rather than defend ourselves.

All takes TRUST.

Not in ourselves but in the one who is with us always to the ends of the earth.

What does this passage speak to you?  To find out what others are saying visit An Open Book.

But, I want to go this way {Monday Manna}

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
       neither are your ways my ways,"
       declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

When I saw that Isaiah 55:8-9 was the passage for Joanne’s Monday Manna, one of the first things to come to my mind was His thoughts and ways are definitely NOT like mine. Which of course is a good thing but that doesn’t mean I always see it that way. That probably doesn’t sound very nice for a self-professed Christ follower, but, nevertheless it’s true anyway.

As I thought on this scripture, my mind went back to all the “thoughts” and “plans” I had for my  life over a decade ago. I can look on those thoughts and plans of mine with both gladness and sadness. Some things I thought for sure were what I wanted only to get them and find that it wasn’t all I’d chalked it up to be in my own mine. Others meant so little to me then but now as the days, months, and years fly by without any sign of them on the horizon, I find myself questioning Lord how long.

Just like He guided the Israelites along the long way to Canaan for a reason, I have to trust that the steps I’m taking along my life journey are preparing me for the promised place. Even when I can’t perceive the good in it, I must trust that He indeed has a plan and it’s good and not evil.

Darkness Doesn’t Last

As I walked amidst the darkness this morning, I was reminded of something the Father whispered to me a few weeks ago. Darkness loomed that morning, much like it did today when Bella and I headed out for our walk.  What He whispered was something so simple but gave me so much comfort. Three simple words-morning always comes.

Told you it was simple. Morning always comes. I know that life is full of cycles and morning naturally comes after the night. Yet, when going through the night seasons of my personal live, I often forget that it’s only temporary. So He used the sun breaking through the darkness of the night to remind me that change does come.

I’m opening up the pages of my journal to share what I wrote down that day. Hope that someone finds encouragement in it as I did when I wrote that day. Even now I find strength to continue walking through the shadow of death.

Morning always comes. Hold on through the night. Don’t faint through the night season because morning always comes. Just as when the season changes there are times when the day is filled with more darkness than light, so are our lives. But, morning always comes. You have to see me through the eyes of the spirit at those times. I’m always shining but darkness (which I allow) covers my presence but I’m always with you. That’s why you have to build up your spirit man so that during those seasons you’ve stored up a supply of my light (His Word) so that it can illuminate from down on the inside of you.

Illumination from your core-your God self. My people are looking for too much external light. You have to learn how to walk in and through the night. When I send the darkness, I’m giving you an opportunity to grow. The allowance of the darkness is proof of my trust in what I placed in you. But know that morning always comes, my love. I will reveal myself. I will show up. I will fulfill my promises. I’ve already sealed them with a yes.

Yes to what you long for. Yes to power. Yes to signs, miracles and wonders. Yes to no more barrenness. Yes to deliverance. Yes to wholeness. Yes to household salvation. Yes to peace. Yes to fruitful relationships. Yes to love. Yes to strength. Yes to more of my presence. My answer is yes; I will do it. You need only ask and trust me.

Praying that He’ll strengthen you as you walk through the darkness.

 

Can’t Afford to Trash it

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. Hebrews 10:35 NIV

Paper, plastic, computers, old furniture, cell phones, food scraps, and even unused medicines are just of few of the many things that find its way to dumpsters daily. According to the EPA, Americans discarded 250 MILLION tons of trash in 2008. Each of us contributing about 4.5 pounds of trash daily.

Whew, I knew paper had a way of accumulating around my home and office but those statistics are surprising.  From the looks of the piles of paper around here, it’s time for me to buckle down and do a thorough purging. Some things I hang onto way too long. Beyond the paper, there are times I have to consciously throw out stinky thinking, complaining, and clear out useless activities from my daily routine.

At times the stresses of life and work pile up so high threatening to smother out my hope and expectation. However, Hebrews reminds me to keep a firm grasp of my confidence in God.

Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. Hebrews 10:35 (AMP)

Visit Internet Cafe for more Word Filled Wednesday devotions.

God of the Detours

Being a bit directionally challenged (as I like to call it), I like to take a familiar route. And on the occasions that I'm venturing off into a new city, I refuse to leave home without driving directions from Yahoo maps. Unfortunately, I don't have GPS yet so written instructions to and from is a must! Even with directions there has been times when I missed a turned, sending me into a state of utter panic. Had one such episode this past weekend. Although I've learned to be a bit more relaxed when I've suddenly found myself off the intended route, it still causes me to grip the steering wheel tightly with apprehension. All the while looking for something that looks just a wee bit familiar. Last week one of my dear cousins shared an experience she had while driving in a note entitled, God of the Detours, that spoke to the part of me that longs to cling to the familiar way. With her permission, I'm sharing it with you today.

I think I had an" AH HA" Prophetic Moment while driving en route to the radio station. Every Wednesday I go to the radio station to record a broadcast and I always go one particular way. It's a longer route, however I don't mind the extra minutes driving because it gives me a chance to relax, reflect and regain me in those moments of solitude.

This morning with music blaring and me singing to the top of my lungs, "There's Nobody Like You Lord". I 'm driving my way when suddenly I found myself in the midst of orange cones, workmen, machinery, detour signs and construction. My way was blocked, it was being reconstructed! Needless to say I was very displeased but in the midst of my ughs and omg's, I had to make a decision to either stay barricaded in a lock down position, that would keep me at a standstill and miss the recording or I could venture on the detour roads and see where they led.

Anyone that knows me knows that when it comes to driving I'm a one way kinda girl, so with apprehension in my throat I followed the one detour sign and immediately felt out of place on this unfamiliar road in this unfamiliar neighborhood and it was in that moment that I heard the Spirit of God say:

This is symbolic of you and so many of many children when it comes to your relationship with Me. I have so many blessings that I want to give to you but you keep looking and expecting me to be a ONE WAY KIND OF GOD, BECAUSE I BLESSED YOU THAT WAY LAST WEEK YOU LOOK FOR IT TO COME AGAIN THAT WAY AND WHEN YOU DO,YOU MISS THE DETOUR SIGNS AND IT KEEPS ME BLOCKED, BARRICADED AND LOCKED FROM RELEASING THE BLESSING. BECAUSE YOU STILL TRAVELING ON A ROAD THAT'S UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND I'M NO LONGER ON IT! EVERY DETOUR IS NOT OF THE DEVIL MY CHILD THERE ARE SOME DETOURS THAT I HAVE PURPOSELY DESIGNED TO BLESS YOU ON YOUR WAY AND IF YOU'LL JUST TRUST ME ON THE DETOURS YOU WILL ARRIVE AT YOUR DESTINATION BLESSED.

Can I tell you that not only did I arrive at the radio station, my destination, but I arrived: SAFELY, ON TIME, and BLESSED.
Whatever DETOUR you're on right now, don't despise it, IT just may be your ROAD OF BLESSING!
Author: Christie Williams