Some Lessons from Job on Worship

                                       Picture from google image search wikimedia.commons.org



When you are down and out what is your response? Where do you look for hope?


One response from one man that was filled with faith really astonishes me. I think it is something we can surely learn from. It is the inspired word of God. It was spoken by an unlikely source. However, God knew. God knows us intimately. He knows our words before they come out of our mouths, He knows what is in our hearts. We see this in Psalm 139.

The words I am about to share from Scripture are spoken by a man like us except he was in a trial bigger than most of ours will ever be. It is in these times of suffering we really see what we are made of at the core of our being. They are the things that expose us and reveal if our belief and walk with God is true.

Two things we can remember about Job and what he endured.

1-God chose him to endure this, He knew Job's heart. He knew Job's faith would be sustained through it all because He is the One who sustains us. When all potential idols are removed all you have left is God. Is He enough? Is He what we really desire above all? God knows our hearts already but this trial would show Job what was really in His heart.

2-Job lost all his riches, his family, his reputation, his friends because they were betraying him with hurtful words, his wife who lost all hope and told him to just die, and he lost his health. Many of us store up our security in these things but they are not what sustain us. God allowed these losses to happen for reasons unknown to Job. When Job lost it all he says this astonishing statement;

 

 "For I know that my Redeemer lives,
    and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
    yet in my flesh I shall see God, 

 whom I shall see for myself,
    and my eyes shall behold, and not another.
    My heart faints within me!

~Job 19:25-27 

Now those are some amazing words. We take it for granted that we live in this history time period where Christ came, died, and rose again. We can look back at the cross. Job however had to look forward to the cross. He in the depths of his heart knew he had a Redeemer. He knew he would one day see God. He worshiped in this knowledge! He had faith to believe and worshiped through all the hurt and pain. This astonishes me. It really does. Just take some time to ponder it. Then as I ponder I must ask God to Help me with my unbelief and to help me keep my eyes fixed on Him, the One who has come and will come again for us. This is not our home. Our home is in Heaven with Jesus our Redeemer. Oh what glory that is to ponder in trial or out of it. Glory!

Evangelism Helps from Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Got this picture from just4kidsmagazine.com via google images picture search for Jesus and the Samaritan woman.

We are studying through the book of John together for our Bible curriculum this semester. As we read this account I was reminded of Jesus' actual humanity. He found himself tired and thirsty. Sometimes I think I error thinking Jesus was like the fish from Nemo, Dori, who "just kept swimming, swimming, swimming." But he was just as frail in body as you or I. He felt things like we do. From the warmth of the burning noon sun on his body to the sweat that comes from bodily perspiration. The tingling of the dust thrown around his legs and under his feet as he walked along the dusty roads. He chose to become like us, dressing himself in flesh as He was re-knit together in Mary's womb. The Creator and Sustainer of all created to be like us. Such an amazing sacrifice leaving all His glory and the joy of the Trinitarian companionship just to be like one of us.

As we study this passage in John 4 I think it would be good to take note of Jesus' intentionality. First pious Jews avoided traveling through Samaria like the plague. There was prejudice and hate even toward these people who were relatives. Samaria, in the time after of King David and Solomon when the kingdom was split in two, was set up to be the Northern kingdoms capital and center of worship. Instead of making the Northern tribes travel all the way to Jerusalem to the temple of God that housed God's presence they set up Samaria. A substitutionary place of worship. This should not have been because God's presence resided in the temple alone (not limited to this place but this is where they were to come to worship and sacrifice).

When the Northern Kingdom was overtaken the Israelites were moved out leaving only the poorest of the poor among the people and other conquered people groups were placed there to dwell as well. So those people would intermarry making them a mixed race of people. Thus avoiding a trip through Samaria whenever possible. This however was not the case with Jesus. He came for all people and took His disciples through Samaria. Jesus also spoke and shared the good news of salvation with a woman. In these times Jewish men would not associate with women in public. But Jesus came and broke all the pious religious rules. He was the equalizer, all people are equal in worth in the eyes of God.

Jesus shares about living water, eternal life, personal details of her life, and true worship, then that He indeed is the Messiah. He uses the elements around him and her physical need of water to speak about the spiritual need of the living water or the coming Holy Spirit who is the believers guaranteed deposit for eternal life. He exposes some sin in her life which is necessary to show her a need for a Savior. He directs her to a better way. Informing her of things to come in people worshiping in Spirit and truth. In the near future upon Jesus death on the cross the curtain in the temple will tear itself in two exposing the Holy place of God. The reason for this is God's presence would now dwell in the temple or body of every individual who will believe in Christ. This is the very place now that will house the presence and Spirit of the Living God.

After this encounter with Jesus the woman responds, "²⁸ Then the woman left her water jar, went off into the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Surely he can’t be the Messiah, can he?” ³⁰ So they left the town and began coming to him" John 4:28-30.

This woman leaves the jar, the very reason why she approached the well, but Jesus left her with something so much more quenching--living water. She was so excited at the news and was apparently not embarrassed of her past life of sin because she shares her testimony with the town and the people start going to Jesus. Honestly when you are confronted by Jesus you have to make a crucial decision as to who you believe Him to be.

Now this next section is what I really want to show you when you see evangelism at work.

³⁹ Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the report of the woman who testified, “He told me everything I ever did.”

We need to share about Jesus and what He has done for us and in our lives. This is what caused many to believe in Christ. She shared her personal testimony with them and they believed. 

⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they began asking him to stay with them. He stayed there two days, ⁴¹ and because of his word many more believed.

The Word of God will move in peoples hearts and has the power to make people believe. Speak the word in your conversations, sing it in psalms, share it in advice. The word has power to take root and here people also believe because of the very word of God. Know it well so you can share it fluidly in conversation.

⁴² They said to the woman, “No longer do we believe because of your words, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this one really is the Savior of the world.”

Then the people said it is not only because of her words and testimony but they know the Savior of the world is present among them because of His Word.  Our faith and personal relationship with Jesus must become our own and now it had become that to many Samaritans. 

Now I think this was a great reason for an intentional trip to Samaria, don't you. Jesus did. That is why He traveled that way. The way most Jews would not go.

I challenged us with this.

1-Sometimes you have to go to the places you would not usually think of going. Jesus was not afraid or put off by those who others disliked. We need not be afraid of those who are different from us. If God calls you there then go! He has some work to do through you for His glory. 

Where is God calling you that is different from your normal safe paved out path?

2-It is so important to share what Jesus is doing in your life. It may make the difference of someone being drawn to Him. Share it as much as you can. It may save a life for Heaven bound eternity.

3-Know the word. Hide it in your heart. Speak it and read it as often as you can. It may be the very thing God uses to again save a life for Heaven bound eternity.

Be faithful. Be intentional. Share Him with others. Know Him. Own your personal relationship. Pray.

Do You Know Your Worth? Going Back to a Younger Me

This is a picture of me at 18. I look at this girl and see beauty. I wish I could go back and tell her things. But going back would have to start much earlier than 18. Rewinding back to maybe 13 would be a good age. See, I look at her and I see how beautiful she is. Yet when I was her age my self esteem was so low. I felt incredibly bad about myself and ugly. Because of that I fell into much compromise and sin. I missed out on God's best for me. Choices we make do this to us. The problem is I had not idea who I was in Christ.

Do you know who you are in Christ? If not learn who you are in Him. Read Ephesians 1. Let it truly sink into the core of you. Rest in that and believe it. Trust that God is for you. God loves you so much He sings songs over you (Zephaniah 3:17). If I really knew who I was and Who held me no matter the circumstances I would have been protected. I would have known my beauty and been okay because I am a daughter of the King.

Mean words, worldly values, tragedies, none of this can shake you if you are truly rested in Him. Our value is based on what God thinks of us not what others think. We are valuable because He greatly loves us. He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our mess. He loves us. Christ took the punishment of our sin on Himself. Only because of love. He woos us to Himself. If we truly believe this we will stand solid in Him.

Do you know your worth? Do you know who you are in HIM? I pray you do. Rest in Him and you will be secure. He is our Rock. He holds us in His hands. He never leaves or forsakes us. Do you believe this? Do you believe His word?

A Confession of Insecurity

`I have a confession to make. God gave me this ministry some time ago. The purpose was to connect people and encourage those in the faith. This life can be hard and it is so important to keep Christ the center. This is the ministry that God has given me in order to serve others in the unique community of the Internet. This is the reason for my online presence.

However, I found some really thriving ministries with some really amazing people. I adore each one of them and had the amazing opportunity to work alongside them. This was a good thing but as I kept up my work for others I neglected this place that the Lord gave me. I felt like those ministries were valid where mine was well just me. I thought that no one would benefit from this because it was me. Oh my!? Do you hear it over and over again...ME. What in the world?! And where did that slip in?! Good intentions that were God directed but disobeyed.

I had to cut back on contributing for other ministries at this time because of what had happened in my heart. Obedience is more important than sacrifice right? I need to invest in this place first and what God has given here. Then when I get it where God wants it to go, then I can help in other ministries. I still consider myself partnered with them because I love them dearly and I am still going to point you to them. It is so important to walk shoulder to shoulder with other like minded believers.

God has shown me that if He is in it that is all I need. Hang with me as I seek Him, pray and redefine this ministry in the way He wants it. I know some exciting things are coming. I just need to take time in clearly moving as He leads. Thanks for your patience with me in this. Please pray for my family as we work it all out. I know obedience is the most important thing and I cannot wait to see what God does with it as I open my hands and let go of some securities in other people and jump into the unknown with Him.

A Snake on a Pole and Jesus

"Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die."
~John 12:30-33

Right before these verses above, Jesus is talking about His end and said to the Father, "Father, glorify your name!"

Then out loud from Heaven God spoke for everyone to hear, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." Some of the people there thought it was thunder others though and angel spoke but we know from the text it was God. Can you imagine the God of the universe speaking out loud for a crowd of us to hear Him all at the same time? That is amazing.

Now look to the text I posted above in John 12:30-33. Jesus tells us why and what is up. He was telling them how men and women would come to Jesus and what kind of death He would die which we know is death on a cross. He was nailed to this object and lifted up to hang there until He slowly died.

But there are some other amazing treasures through the word that point to this place. I will point out two today that really stirred my heart about how God's word is perfect and complete.

Take a journey to the Old Testament with me. The children of Israel are again complaining after God has provided for them over and over again. When that happens again this is what God does.

Numbers 21:6-9 states, "Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live." So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

God had the power to take away those snakes upon repentance but He chose instead to give them a snake on a pole to look at for the cure. He left the snakes with them. Have you ever been in a situation where you just wish God would take it away? Sometimes He chooses not to. Sometimes we have to walk through things but God is always there to get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. That was what was meant in creating the snake on the pole. Unfortunately sometime later the children of Israel chose to worship it. Probably after the harmful snakes were gone. This snake on a pole was to represent their need for keeping their eyes on Jesus to come. Here is how we know.

We also are bitten by the poisonous sting of sin. We need a way to take it away from us lest we die. Just as a poisonous snake bite can kill you. God provided that cure through Jesus. John 3:14-15 states, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."

Isn't it amazing how God's word fits together perfectly? Let us keep our eyes on Jesus. He is the only true healer. Any problem in life He can get us through if we keep our eyes on Him. Our circumstances may not change but He never leaves or forsakes us. He is our hope.

Father thank you for your rich word full of treasures! I am amazed by it day by day. Lord open our eyes to see you and know you better each day. Guide us in the right way and help us to keep our eyes on you lest we turn to complaining. We love you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Featured on Virtue Alert - Confessions of a Former Mean Girl

Check it out! Go over to Vicki Courtney's site for teens, Virtuousreality.com to see my article! I won a writing contest over at her blog a while back. I won the chance to have my article featured on the site. While you are there check out Vicki's blog as well. She is yet another wonderful woman of God that I highly respect.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional-Hard Times

-God is love
1 John 4:8b

As she lay there on the hospital table, I held her hand. I kept asking God to give her the strength to get through this hard test. More than anything I wanted to take her place. As the tears started to role down her sweet face it was almost all I could take. I knew though in my heart of hearts that this test must be done or it could negatively effect the rest of her life. Though more than anything I wanted to save her from the table and just run away somewhere far far away.

"Be strong, this in not the time for your own tears" I told myself. "You know this has to be done." So I spoke reassuring words and smiled at her. Praying the entire time. I was so proud of how brave she was. She was afraid but we talked about how God is love and His perfect love casts out fear. She clung to that and made it through.

As her mother and her father we were, on her each side of her, holding her hands the entire time of this trial, I could not help but to think of our Heavenly Father. He loves us so much more than I could ever have the capacity to even love my own child. He has to allow us to go through certain trials because if we don't endure those it could negatively effect the rest of our lives.
In His great love He does not want us to have to go through the pain but for doing it we will be better off. He never leaves us through these trials either. He is more attentive than ever but sometimes our attentions are on the trial at hand instead of His love and care for us.

God is so good. We may not understand the trials we have to face but we have to hold tight to the fact that pressing through will make us stronger and more like Him as we turn our face to and put our hope in Him.

Unfortunately I got a call this morning about the test report. Things are not good so we will be seeing our kidney specialist the end of the month to discuss next steps. Please lift us up in your prayers. These past seven years have been hard dealing with these issues but this appointment is the one where we will discuss correcting everything that needs it.

Father, we love You so much. Thank You for every good gift You give to us. You said in this world we will have trouble. So many troubles we do not understand but we do know and trust You are God. Nothing is impossible with You. Nothing is too big for You to handle. Lord, grow us through our trials and help us to see You better. We love You and praise Your holy name.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
~Jeremiah 17:9

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“All Together-Chipped Toe Nail Polish and All”

We were heading out for the wedding. I was dressed very nice. Hair was fixed great. Makeup good. All was in order or so it looked. On the outside things looked all together but were they really? If you examined me closely you would notice one thing undone-my chipped toe nail polish. Very visible because I wore sandals.
Read more here.

Rejection Time-Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven”
~Ecclesiastes 3:1

I love God’s timing. His timing is always perfect. There are no mistakes in His plans. He knows exactly every detail of our lives. He knows when we need things at just their proper time.

Yet with that knowledge can come some disappointment on our end. We want that job promotion. We want that baby. We need that raise now. You get my point. But God does not let the thing work out the way we decided we wanted it to work out. Now why is that?

Read the rest here.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

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Random Stuff-RMS Devotional, Bible Study Info, And A Funny Story

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ABUNDANT GRACE STUDY DETAILS
For those of you doing the Bible study please make sure you have sent me your email address. It is not too late. There are currently 25 of us as of now. It should be so much fun! This is how it will work. I will email you the weeks worth of work on Sunday nights. Also on Sunday I will post a podcast corresponding that will be less than 10 minutes that you can listen too as well if you choose. We will do the work and on Friday night or Saturday I will post small group discussion questions that we can discuss on the blog. Also, feel free to email me anything to post if you do not have a blog. I am really hoping we will have a lot of discussion because that is how we will learn from one another. Also, please be thinking of things to help improve the study as well. My goal is for us to grow in the word and become more like Christ through it otherwise it is just a waist of time. I want it to be transforming and that is what I am praying for each one of you. Hope that helps explain everything. I will also email the instructions on Sunday to you.

THE FUNNY STORY OF HUMILITY
I have to tell you a really funny story. Or at least it was to me! :) Rather humbling. I was scheduled to get what I thought was a call from the people hosting the virtual home school conference at 4pm yesterday. When no call came in I checked my email and found I was suppose to log into their conference software so we could test it and see how it would work for the conference which has over 100 people registered thus far! Wow! Anyway, I am logging on to test the stuff and automatically my web cam which is built in decides to come on. Oh MY! Can I just tell you that I was not webcam ready in appearance. I was so embarrassed and God kept reminding me that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Oh how I was humbled. So, I had my conversation with them and the web cam focusing on me the entire time.

Why was I not webcam ready? Well, since we did not get to travel because of cost factors our family has been having fun lazy days relaxing a nice sabbath of sorts. We had just finished swimming and I took a quick shower. Since I was seeing no one (SO I THOUGHT)-I threw on a sweatshirt and threw up my hair. I sported no make up and my glasses. What a first impression. I just love it though and how God humbles us. Again the focus was on me when it really needed to be on God. I am fearfully and wonderfully made! :)

Am I alone in this or do you have any humbling stories you can share with me?

The Gas Sacrifice-RMS Weekly Devotional

"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8).

It used to be the sacrifice that was required for gas was the horrible smell that came from the back side of someone that you would have to smell for a moment and politely hold in the words that you wanted to say. Like, "Eww, you stink" or "You could have warned a girl!"

My other experience with gas is the horrible cramping pain it can cause in ones stomach when things just don't sit right-you know what I am saying?

Well, for the first time gas has caused some deep heart ache and I am not talking from heart burn. I am talking from heart break. After realistically assessing the finances it would take to participate in a wonderful family reunion and I am talking reunion of a lifetime. A reunion with not only bunches of relatives and family friends that I most dearly love but a reunion with my grandmother I posted about a few months back that has been found. It has been about fifteen years since I have seen her. I fear I will now not get a chance to.

You see, I went to the She Speaks conference in Charlotte, NC this past weekend. It was a ministry event and I was so thankful to God for providing it. But the unexpected expense of gas for my tank was unimaginable. I spent $160 dollars on gas and all the driving I did was to and from the hotel and my house. Can you believe it?! I know you can because we are all there now.

This Friday I was suppose to leave on an even farther trip. But due to our finances we had to cancel it. The cost would be too much financially for us to bear. You see, God tells us to leave no debt outstanding except the debt of love (Romans 13:8). Because of this and how hard we have fought to get and stay out of debt, we had to make the sacrifice of this trip.

Now, sadly many are disappointed. I too am disappointed. Gas has caused much heart ache and again pain. But do not be sad. God does honor those who honor His word in obedience. I am believing God to restore to us this time that is being challenged by these rising fuel costs. Never before have we had to cancel a trip but the times are changing.

Father, we know that You provide our every need. We thank You for that. Though life comes with certain disappointments I know You will honor the sacrifices we make in obedience to You. Even when it hurts terribly. Thank You for being our comforter and our ever-present help in time of trouble. Please help us to remain in unity with those who have been disappointed. In Jesus Name.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

The weekly devotional can be found here.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

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This CD ROCKS!

Oh my, I just had to let you know that this is the best CD that I have heard in a long time. You must check it out! Here is his website.

AND....................
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Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

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Happy Mother's Day-Refresh My Soul Devotional

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Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

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Don't forget that Monday is Marriage Monday over at Chrysalis.
Topic: The Crazy Way We Met-Should be fun and yes I have a story that goes along with this devo.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

The weekly devotion is up here.

Refresh My Soul Weekly Devotional

The weekly devotion is up here.