FAITHFUL

Spring arrived this past Friday. Along with the tulips that are springing up all over my yard, beautiful bunny rabbits appeared, too. They were not your typical wildlife bunnies. These bunnies were domesticated and belonged to someone.  I tried to feed them, but they wouldn't take food from me. I learned later on that domesticated bunnies prefer pellets. I posted their pictures and a video on my Ring camera chat, hoping they would be claimed.

After enjoying these bunnies, I went to sleep. As I drove to church on Sunday morning, my heart was gripped with sadness.   Domesticated bunnies don't know about the outdoor dangers. One of the bunnies was killed, hit by a car.

I was distraught.

Monday morning, I was determined to find the second bunny. I made many calls and finally got someone to reply and coach me in luring the bunny out of hiding. Spring may have arrived, but today it was 30° and snow showers. I wanted him to survive.

So, on to PetSmart to pick up bunny pellets. I sprinkled them all over the yard in hopes that he would come out. It's late afternoon, and the bunny is nowhere to be found.

Then I heard it, “It's the bunny!”  My husband spotted him.

Poor creature was cold, wet, and his big, fluffy ears were covered in mud.

It's a great ending! I go outside in the cold with my jar of pellets. I sprinkle some and keep walking closer, and the bunny remains. My husband approaches the bunny rabbit and scoops him up. Hallelujah!

God is so good! Scripture says we must take care of God's creation. Elsewhere in the book of Exodus, it reads, " If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey, (in this case a bunny rabbit - my words), we have to help it.” It doesn't matter who the creature belongs to. At times, they need our help.

I can now say that I am the owner of a bunny, even if it's just for one night. A local rescuer will be arriving this morning to pick up FAITHFUL. 

Yes, I named him!  I named him Faithful because it reminds me of God's goodness.

My guest was given food, water, and a warm blanket to keep him overnight.

This entire ordeal had my heart running through a maze of emotions. First, I was excited to encounter them and enjoy their romp.  Their carefree outdoor play was a beautiful reminder of Spring’s arrival. My excitement and joy were visited by disappointment and heartbreaking sadness.  Monday, my heart was revived with hope!  

Emotions allowed me to feel excitement, joy, grief, and then hope again, all within a few days! It was exhausting.

Thank you, Jesus.  Thank you for including me in taking care of this creature.   

What a reminder as we approach Holy Week!. Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday also walked the people of God through a labyrinth of emotions.  No one fully understood what was happening. Their beloved friend, son, and Messiah was being dragged down the road to meet an appointment with death. Oh, there would be tears, suffering, and the sense of betrayal to all that is good! But the scriptures foretold, reminding and pointing to a story we call Redemption!

Yes, Jesus was crucified, was placed in the tomb, a dead man.  But the story doesn't end there. Three days later, Jesus would rise from the dead. Graves would be shaken, and witnesses would rise to bring glory to God!  Why were they searching for the living among the dead? That's not the end of the story. Jesus arose just like he said!

Yes, we remember the death of Jesus, an innocent man, altogether God in the flesh, Emmanuel. He was crucified to pay for the sins of this world. But don't park your emotions there, for joy arrives and it brings light to a world cloaked in darkness.

He did it for you and for me. He is my God, and He is FAITHFUL!

“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:11-14)

A special thank you to Karen!  Thank you for your help & rescue.

God bless you!~Liz

DEFENSE

The unofficial national holiday, the Super Bowl! Take the ball from one side and run it to the other side. Don't laugh, that's all I know.

However, I did watch the game.  I learned a little bit about the point system, touchdowns, and the brutal pain inflicted on the opponent. Ouch! 

Throughout the game, DEFENSE was the word that sparked my attention. The sportscaster's vocabulary was laced with it.

It wasn't just about scoring points. The DEFENSE was just as critical.  

I love the Word of God, and here is what I've discovered. The word DEFENSE promotes worship! 

Let's take a peek and open up the curtains on the stage of life. This is not a game!

Moses was chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of the land of bondage.  

Read the story, and you'll see the opposition. Opposition from the outside and even contention from within.

Moses knows conflict. He knows about advancing and retreating. He recognizes when the enemy is coming after him, and he knows where his refuge is! 

Hide me in the cleft of the rock!  But show me your glory, Lord!  (Exodus 33:21-23)

Let's listen to the song of Moses. Turn it up and incline your ear. “The Lord is my strength and my DEFENSE; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)

There is a game we are all in!  The one who dies with the most toys wins?  NO, the one who is sealed in SALVATION is the victor! 

Let’s take off the blinders.  There is more to this beautiful life.  “ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Moses recognizes that his God is his DEFENSE! The enemy is coming after him. Grumbling from his own camp is rising. But he remembers the voice of the Lord, “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)

A Holy God revealing himself to secure his attention and Salvation.

A Bush that burns but is not consumed. A God who is Holy yet chooses to commune with his creation. He is our DEFENSE!

SALVATION is found in our GOD!  JESUS has arrived, and the opposition is fierce. 

Challenges will come; perhaps already here. “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

“The Lord is my strength and my DEFENSE; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)

This was Moses song. The word DEFENSE is interchanged with the word SONG in some translations.   

Victory because God is our DEFENSE. 

A SONG OF WORSHIP because he is my GOD.

This is what he tells us, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

This is a small nugget of God’s Truth.  He knows the challenges we have.  Jesus is aware of the struggles.  He has come as our DEFENSE.  Victory is found as we hide in HIM. 

I'm not sure if I'll schedule myself for next year's Super Bowl. But like always, I am thankful that God reminds us of who He is in everyday activities.  Take a cowhide leather ball and toss it left to right. Defend your turf as pain is inflicted on you.  Points were scored, and DEFENSE secured their victory.

I know a NAME!  Thank you, Jesus.

“The Lord is my strength and my DEFENSE; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)

A little note:  When I surrendered my life to Jesus 37 years ago, it was this very same Scripture that my cousin read to me.  Indeed, He is my DEFENSE and become my salvation. 

God bless you!~Liz

God Visits the MESS

Recently, a song caught my ear and ministered to my heart as well. The song's title is “Testimony” by Terrain. 

This song leans toward the heart, pricking it and causing us to think and contemplate the goodness of God.  He has done more than we see!

Often, we don't acknowledge all that God is doing. We may not fully know! We focus on the pit, a place of dissolution, and wonder why God has overlooked us. But has he?

As I listened to the song, I found myself thinking about Rahab. Sometimes we can easily see what God is doing in someone else's life. I'm currently reading through the Book of Joshua. Rahab is the focus of Chapter 2.

“Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.” So she sent them away, and they departed. And she tied the scarlet cord in the window. (Joshua 2:21)

Read Joshua 2 and share the excitement that's in my heart. This is Rahab!  She's not respected. She has been taken advantage of. Even verse one begins with a description that taints her name.  She is the prostitute Rahab. She's not described as a daughter, a sister, or a friend. She is identified as a prostitute. Sin-ravished lifestyle is her description.

We are reminded in scripture that our identity is in the Lord. He has knitted us together very carefully, poured his own Spirit in us, and has given us purpose. Why don’t we always see it? 

Sin had painted the landscape of our lives very differently, a brush of despair, destitute, and darkness. Grim if you will.  

But, God visits the MESS!

Rahab, the Canaanite woman, feared the Lord.  When the king of Jericho sent messengers to her and asked her to reveal where the men were, she protected them. The prostitute protected the men of God. God, in turn, protected Rahab!

I can visualize Rahab singing this song!  Look what the Lord has done!

Rahab is found in Jesus' lineage!  What!!

Yes, Rahab is protected when Joshua conquers Jericho.

In Matthew 1:5-6, the genealogy of Jesus we read, “Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.”

LOOK WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!

What is he doing in us?  

I testify he is doing mighty things that my eyes and heart have not yet caught up with!  In the middle of the chaos, God has taken what the enemy intends for damage and is turning it for good!  YES, He is!  

Lord help us refocus!  

We are a testimony of what God is forming.  He has already completed it.  There is a work that is happening beneath the surface.  It’s working out God’s perfect plan in us.  We must stand and testify by faith in the things we don’t fully see.  God is not asleep, he is working out HIS plan in our lives!

I hope you are as excited as I am.

God visits the MESS!  

He is an EXPERT! He is tilling the ground and making something beautiful! HALLELUJAH!

“I am a living, breathing, walking testimony. 

I am the living proof of what the Lord has done. 

May call it crazy, but they can't take away my story, 

'Cause I am a living, breathing, walking testimony.”

God bless you!~Liz

TESTIMONY By Terrian

Joshua 2

POSITIONED - Can I get a Witness?

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them." Joshua 1:5-6

Did God speak audibly to Joshua, or was this an impression from the Spirit?  Did the people hear when God charged Joshua to lead, or did he speak directly to Joshua?

Scripture does not say that the people heard the charge to Joshua. What we do know is that Joshua knew the Lord was speaking to him. Whether the voice was audible in the company of witnesses or an impression in the quietness of Joshua’s heart, his obedience was confirmed as Joshua moved forward. He knew God had spoken.

Was it hard for Joshua to move without knowing that the Israelites had heard God's charge over him? Would they listen? Would questions arise whether he was properly trained? Would he be compared to Moses? So many questions that could have halted his calling. When God speaks to us, we must take him at his word and move!

Moses heard his charge at the burning Bush. He moved by faith. Later, the people heard God speaking in the pillar of cloud, a confirmation of his calling, but was it necessary for him to obey?

The birth of the calling is sometimes spoken to the individual. Whether the calling comes in the witness of many or when you're by yourself, our response must be to approve, surely God is in this place.

David was anointed and called before the witness of his brothers and father. “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.” (1 Samuel 16:13)

It may seem easier when the charge comes in front of the witness of others. We may conclude that because others hear God's charge, the task will be smoother.  The people will respect us and know the calling God has spoken. People will encourage us. People will come alongside us.  People, people, people…a dangerous thing we lean on.  Ask King Saul!

Moses' charge was later confirmed, but the road was not smooth. They grumbled against Moses. Opposition was often Moses's companion.

David’s challenges came from his own family and from the King whom he would ultimately replace.

God speaks! Often, he speaks quietly when we're by ourselves. The Holy Spirit has a way of speaking impressively, so we know that He is speaking.

In Genesis 28, Jacob had an encounter with the Lord. He was alone. God spoke to him in a dream and promised him that his descendants would be like the dust. No other witness except the conviction and presence of the LORD, YAHWEH.  When Jacob awoke, he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” (v 16)

As I read Joshua 1, I see the charge placed on Joshua. We don't read of any witnesses acknowledging that Joshua heard correctly. We don't know if the voice was audible or just the impression of God’s Spirit upon Joshua. What we know is that Joshua was charged to do as God said. Verse 9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” And Joshua obeys!

Faith is an interesting position to be placed in. Faith is an action. By faith, we embrace the charge, or we may say the calling. As we wait, it's in a position of faith. Faith does not come with a crowd of witnesses; it does not come with a pat on the back; it comes with the assurance that God has spoken.  Our entire life's position as a follower of Christ is a walk of faith.

Is God speaking to us? Yes, he is speaking. We walk according to this gift we call faith. God is Good!   Sometimes he’ll send us confirmation, known as witnesses, that spur us on to continue the good work. But whether he does or does not, we must obey.

I know the charge placed on my life. I know the gifts that he has placed in me. Over time, in his grace, he has sent those who have confirmed my calling.  I have submitted to obey Him as long as I live. 

This life of redemption was purchased by Jesus.  He gives us directives, he orders our steps, and the amazing thing is that he is already going before us!  I’ll follow his footsteps.

What is He impressing you to do?  What glory is your life displaying that honors God? We do have a Witness, it’s the Spirit of God!  Now let’s walk and obey. 

God bless you!~Liz