When Things Don't Go As Planned

After my workout today, (I was able to leave the hubby for a little bit and go to the gym-first time since becoming his home care nurse😬) I pulled up in front of the beach for a little quiet Bible study time. As I sat in my car with the prime view, my peace was suddenly interrupted by people screaming and yelling. A family carrying a large cooler, canopy, umbrella and several supplies for their beach day, dropped the heavy cooler spilling its contents. The canopy then fell out of the bag as they scurried to pick up the items rolling down the stairs. After the initial anger, everyone started laughing. They put everything back in and headed on their way ready to enjoy the day. 

Later that evening the hubby and I took a walk (I'm trying to get his stamina up for the upcoming wedding weekend adventures I have planned-hikes, deserted mines and a ghost town😜.) 

We were having a great time until we passed a lady with her dog. She must've seen us/avoided us in the past with our Allie-girl over the years and said, "I'm glad there's no dog with you today for my dog to bark at."😩😢

I almost started crying right then and there. 

I sure do miss my Allie-girl and the reminder of her passing hit deep.

So here's the thing friends, it's rare that your day will be filled with all good stuff. They are often filled with waves of emotions...ups, downs, twist, turns and spills. Today I'm thankful that our happiness is not dependent upon ever changing emotions. I'm thankful that as we look to our Unchanging, Steadfast, Loving LORD...we're strengthened for life's journey. HE reminds our hearts/minds that this is only a moment. HIS Truth brings to light the many times HE'S put our feet back on solid ground. 

Our emotions are secured in CHRIST...the Anchor of your soul. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."~Hebrews 13:8

"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”~Revelation 22:13

Jump on the "Thankful Train"...what are you thankful for?

Are You Running in Circles?

Her tail began to wag furiously in anticipation; treats...her favorite highlight of the day. I opened the back door. She ran out thinking I was going to give it to her out there. But I quickly shut the door.

You see...I have a problem, I love to play jokes, whether it's on my hubby, kids, friends and yes even my piercing blue eyed, beautiful Siberian Husky, Allie.

She sat outside for a minute staring at me through the window and then quickly ran through the doggy door, into the living room and back into the kitchen. I promptly had the door open for her again. She ran right out. I closed the door. Back through the doggy door she came, circling back in to the all too familiar open back door. Slam. I was seriously curious to see how many times it would take her to catch on. We were all standing in the kitchen laughing. She ran back in and as I opened the door she stopped and stood next to me, waiting this time for me to go out first. The third time was the charm. She wasn't going to fall for it anymore.

How many times does it take you to learn a lesson? Are you continuing to run through the same door that's led you down the wrong path time and time again? As you crawl your way back through the small "doggy door" trying to start over again...do you find yourself running straight at the door you know will close on you? Without changing habits, you will never see different results. The Lord is always calling you to Him. He has given you an escape. He wants you to learn to seek Him before you go running in the wrong direction again. He wants to teach you to "wait on Him." He will open a door that no man can shut when you "allow" Him to go before you preparing the way.

Pray, seeking Him for the right path. Learn from your past mistakes. Don't continue to run in circles, never getting anywhere. Jesus wants to guide you to your true purpose, away from past sins that so easily entangle, attempting to drag you back in...a constant trick...a joke. You know the door will slam shut on that empty way of life. The Lord has sacrificed everything to show you a better way...a way out!

Today, call out to Him. Ask Jesus to guide you, heal you, forgive you. Ask Him to make ALL THINGS new; setting you free from the chains of bondage which have held you captive for far too long. Lay it all down. Ask Jesus into your life, your heart...setting you free. Ask Him to take you deeper in His love. He is your Savior. He stands with outstretched arms, waiting to embrace you and go before you on the journey He has prepared for you. A safe passage.

It's time to stop running in the wrong direction. You are loved! You were called for more!

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."~Romans 8:37


 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”
“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."~Revelation 3:7-8

AND AGAIN...

"The key of the house of David
I will lay on his shoulder;
So he shall open, and no one shall shut;
And he shall shut, and no one shall open."~Isaiah 22:22 

 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."~Jeremiah 29:13

HOW DEEP ARE YOUR SCARS?

I focused on the cracks in the wood floor; the deep scrapes and scarring. They've been there every single time I've sat close to stretch, but today I noticed. They seemed more obvious...battle wounds; class after class, weight bearing down. It's old and worn now. It's taken much. As I continue to stare, my battle wounds come to light. A struggle in the waiting currently engulfs me. 

Is that why I noticed?

Is it cancer? How bad? What am I going to have to face?

Old scars from the last time I went down this road a year ago...re-opening, tearing deep.

But I received a miracle. It was gone and I required no further treatment. 

Scars leave a mark. A reminder left behind.

Jesus shared His scars of sacrifice with a doubting Thomas~(John 20:24-27). A reminder of the truth of His love, words and actions. The scars remained but the truth prevailed. Hope to the hopeless. Love for the unloved. Forgiveness to the lost. Healing's for the sick. Resurrection from death. Promises of a new way of life, above all we face; above all we're dealing with.

Jesus Christ bears the truth and love. As we look to Him in the middle of a crises...we are healed.

As I focus on Jesus in the waiting, my worry gives way to peace. My fear gives way to trust. 

We are all scarred. We all have a choice. Are you...am I...going to continue to look at the scars too long? Or are we going to focus on the Healer, Jesus Christ? It's a moment by moment, minute by minute choice. What are you choosing? Today I choose healing. My Lord and Savior meets me as I seek Him. Today Lift your eyes up...your Savior, Jesus Christ is holding out His love scarred hands toward you. Grab Hold. Be healed.

Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”

So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts.~Zechariah 1:3

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”~John 8:12

IT LEAKED OVER EVERYTHING!

I changed plans, instead of a nice day relaxing on the beach after yoga, I decided to take a walk deep into the wetlands. I stopped and picked up my favorite tri-tip/veggie bowl, threw it in my bag and headed off down the trail. I walked for quite a while before stopping at a quiet location with benches. It was time to sit and eat, bird watch and write. As I pulled my bowl out, I realized the delicious teriyaki juices had seeped out, right through the paper bag and into my backpack. It poured all over my Bible and writing tablet...soaking in from the cover to the pages.

Absorbing in.
The good stuff.
The flavor.
The very thing that makes it good.

I was struck by the comparisons to my life's journey. As I made a choice to turn from my old empty life and walk toward Jesus, as I made a commitment to read The Bible at least 10 minutes every morning, to pray daily, changes began. Small at first. My attitude...I wasn't always expecting the worst in my day. I felt hopeful...the good words of God seeping in. Trials would come, but they were no longer my undoing. Day by day, 10 minutes stretched into 15, 20, 30 minutes; the sweetness, the craving for more truth, absorbing into the deep recesses of my emptiness. My words, my actions, my desires...they all began to change.

How can it be that simple? 

Reading and praying, "Yes JESUS, have YOUR WAY in my life!" The truth. The good stuff of Christ being absorbed. 

Just like my leaking teriyaki sauce, that covered everything in my backpack, Jesus' truth, words, forgiveness, grace, love, and light will sink deep into your heart when you open The Bible. Pray. Ask Jesus into your life. He comes like a flood...a wave of rushing water to the dry, parched soul.

If you are at a crossroads, stop and ask Jesus which way to go. He is, He has, the answer you've been looking for. He will pour out His love. ASK HIM! 

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."~John 14:6

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”~Mark 9:28-29

"Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you: I will make my words known to you."~Proverbs 1:23

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams."~Acts 2:17

Can You Be Thankful Right Smack In The Thick of It?

 

Today I'm thankful for some quiet time to just sit in my car before work and watch birds gathering food from the leftover fruit hanging on changing trees. A reminder...they are still provided for in bare seasons.

My life always has changing seasons...I need to remember that there's always fruit in change. It may not seem like it during the process, but it comes. In the midst of it I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures:
 
"Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"~Matthew 6:26-27.

I keep my mind, thoughts and focus on Jesus instead of issues, struggles or problems. He loves me and He is for me. What an awesome reminder today! 

Jump on today's THANKFUL TRAIN...tell me what you have to be thankful for? It doesn't have to be big, just something to remind yourself that you ARE blessed no matter what's going on at the moment:)

Is Life's Bokeh Stealing Your Attention?

Lord, open my eyes to see You more clearly. To see the blessings. To see the love. To see You in the midst of trials, weariness, worry, anxiety...always to see You first. Let all other things fade, become less clear, like the bokeh on my new camera lens. Bokeh: a word mentioned often in photography. Something to strive to achieve in pictures. Bokeh, "the blur, or the aesthetic quality of the image; the out of focus areas in an image around the subject."

When I look to You Lord, You are teaching me to achieve the aesthetic quality of life. To blur out all struggles and strife around me and focus on You. First. Always first. Then and only then can I see the truth of Your life giving, life guiding, life saving love. I can be sure that You are taking care of the blurry areas of my life by focusing on Your clear image of love for me. Thank You Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen.

"Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!" Psalm 105:4

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:25-26 & 33

A Light In Life's Clouds

Sometimes you may need to take a step back from your current situation to see God's Light shining through!

Never give up on your trust, hope or faith...things WILL get better. It's always darkest before the dawn. There's always a light at the end of the tunnel, a silver lining in every cloud and a rainbow (God's Promise) after the storm. I've found all this to be very true in my own life. The problem may often be remembering everything that God has already guided you safely through.

Today, I'd like to encourage you to take a moment to reflect on past "impossible" situations that the Lord has taken care of...carried you through...fixed! Let this be the light and truth of God's love and faithfulness to you."

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 
Deuteronomy 31:6

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" 
2 Corinthians 4:17

"The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." 
Exodus 14:14

"You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you." 
2 Chronicles 20:17

PRAYING IN TIMES OF CRISIS

I normally write all my own stories on my blog, however today I came across an INCREDIBLE article that I feel needs to be seen, heard and read again and again. It is a little long but incredibly powerful, insightful, and encouraging. Please take a few minutes to read it...it is life changing!

PRAYING IN TIMES OF CRISIS
By: Kevin Meador

How do you seek God when you are in the midst of a crisis? Every believer will face crisis moments. You will encounter those times when your faith is tested. Following Jesus does not mean that you are exempt from suffering. It does not mean that your life will be crisis free. The Bible openly declares this truth, "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials" (James 1:2). The Bible does not say if you will face trials; it says when you face trials. God wants you to know that you will experience these times in your life.

These crisis moments can be triggered by a variety of events. It might be the death of a loved one. It might be marital or family problems. It might be church problems. You may be struggling at work. It could even be that your blood pressure is up and that your bank account is down. You will experience those times when you don’t know what to do. You run the gamut of emotions- fear, doubt, anger, despair. Your faith in your Father is being tested.

It is in these times that God calls you to seek Him. The believer should seek God on a daily basis. Prayer should characterize your lifestyle. Yet, in these crisis moments, you should intensify your praying. You should forsake any attempts to depend on yourself or to look for a fleshly answer to these experiences.

The prayer life of Jehoshaphat provides you with an example of how to seek God in a crisis. Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah who reigned in the ninth century B.C. In 2 Chronicles 20, he experiences a crisis. He does not know what he could or what he should do. But, he seeks the Lord. His example of prayer will hopefully give you insight on how to seek God when you experience times like this. His example reveals five basic truths about seeking God in the midst of a crisis:

Realize your helplessness.

The opening verses of 2 Chronicles 20 set the stage, "It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, ’A great multitude is coming against you from the beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar’ (which is En Gedi)." (vv.1-2). The text does not indicate why these other nations decided to attack Jehoshaphat. All the text says is that the odds were three against one. Three nations were coming to attack one man, Jehoshaphat. They formed a "great multitude". That phrase occurs three times in this chapter. And it left the king shivering for fear of his life, "And Jehoshaphat feared" (v.3).

Jehoshaphat realized his helplessness in the midst of this crisis. Fear gripped him because he knew that he could not stand against this united force. This great multitude was more than he could handle. He openly declares this to the Lord, "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us" (2 Chronicles 20:12). He recognized that he was helpless in this midst of this crisis. He acknowledged that he could not deal with this
situation on his own.

This sense of helplessness compelled him to pray, "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah" (2 Chronicles 20:3). He prayed because of his helplessness. And he didn’t mouth a surface prayer. He prayed with intensity in this crisis. The text says that he "set himself to seek the Lord". He then proclaimed a fast. This fasting would only intensify his praying. He poured his heart out to God because He knew that only God could help.

The root of this intense praying is his helplessness. That is why it is crucial to realize your helplessness in the midst of a crisis. The acknowledgment of your helplessness will drive you to pray. It will motivate you to seek the Lord and depend on Him for His strength, His solutions, and His direction. Helplessness is not a hindrance to prayer. It is actually a help to seeking God. Let your helplessness drive you to seek God. Realize that you cannot handle the crises of your life and that you must pray if you are to face them and grow through them.

A crisis is like a magnifying glass. A magnifying glass increases the apparent size of an object so that you can see it better. It enlarges your view of an object so that you can gain a better understanding of it. A crisis does this in your life. It enlarges your view of your helplessness. It helps you clearly see your need for God. It vividly points out your helplessness that exists daily and not just in the crisis moments of life.

When a crisis shows you your helplessness, let it drive you into God’s presence. Use it as a motivation to cry out intensely for God’s grace, power, mercy, and help. Allow your helplessness to move you to a deeper, more fervent and faithful prayer life.

Commit yourself to seeking the Lord.

When Jehoshaphat learned that this great multitude was coming to attack, he could have immediately begun making plans. He could have started mobilizing the army of Judah. He could have sent ambassadors to other nations for help. But, he did none of those things. He began by seeking the Lord. 

The text says that he "set himself to seek the LORD". This indicates intensity in prayer. But, at the same time, it indicates perseverance. He determined to seek the Lord until he received an answer from the Lord. He committed himself to seek the Lord in the midst of the crisis. He was going to pray and wait on the Lord. He confessed that he did not know what to do, "For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do" (2 Chronicles 20:12a). Yet, he then states his commitment, "But our eyes are upon You" (2 Chronicles 20:12b). He was committed to praying and waiting on God in the midst of the crisis.

Our response to a crisis is often to find a solution. It is to try and work it out on our own. It is to relieve the pain. It is to work out the problem in our own strength and wisdom. Sometimes our pride moves us to think that we can handle the crisis. Sometimes our desperation motivates us to try and deal with the crisis on our own.

Yet, your first response to a crisis should be to commit yourself to seeking the Lord. The commitment of your heart must be, "Lord, I don’t know what to do,
but my eyes are fixed on You." Your commitment must be to pray and wait on the Lord. There are times that God will answer you immediately in the midst of a crisis. Yet, there are other times when God’s answer comes after a time or unfolds over a period of time. We live in an age of fast food, drive-through banking, and instant communication. We are used to instant gratification. Yet, as a child of God, you will be required to seek Him and wait on Him and His timing. 
Sometimes you will have to seek Him intensely and wait for Him. Jesus said not only to ask, but also to seek and knock (Matthew 7:7). 

There are going to be times in life when you will not know what to do. What do you tell a father whose son is in rebellion toward God and hates everything that his father believes and loves? What do you tell a young woman whose husband has told her that he doesn’t love her anymore and the marriage is ending? These are extreme examples, but they illustrate the point. There are times when you will have no idea what to do or what to say. You will not know what the next step is. It is at these times that you realize that you are at the mercy of God. You are reminded that you must look to Him in prayer and wait on Him. These words are not superficial cosmetics that cover and ignore the pain and problem. These words are
spiritual counsel from God’s eternal Word.

I realize that saying, "Commit yourself to seeking the Lord and wait on Him" sounds trite, even empty. This is especially true when you are hurting and don’t know what to do. Yet, what else can you do? Who else can you turn to? It is God alone who can strengthen you. It is God alone who can sustain you by His grace. It is God alone who has the power to help you and provide answers. He is your God, your Rock and your Refuge. That is why you must turn to Him and wait on Him. When the crises of life come and challenge you, commit yourself to seeking the Lord. Wait on Him for the answers and solutions that you need.

If you will do this, it will not only help you but others also. When you commit yourself to seeking the Lord in the midst of a crisis, you provide a powerful example for others. When the people of Judah saw Jehoshaphat’s example, they "gathered together to ask help from the LORD; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD" (2 Chronicles 20:4). The people followed Jehoshaphat in seeking the Lord in the midst of this crisis. Notice that the verse emphasizes that the people asked help from the Lord and that they came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord after seeing Jehoshaphat’s example. His seeking attitude rubbed off on the people.

When you seek God in the midst of a crisis, you provide a powerful example for others to follow. Both fear and faith are contagious. When you show fear in the midst of a crisis, it will adversely affect those around you. They will be more likely to exhibit fear
and doubt. Yet, if you will seek the Lord and stand strong in faith, it will motivate others to do the same. It will be a source of encouragement for others to seek the Lord and wait on Him. Committing yourself to seek the Lord in a crisis not only anchors you, but it also encourages those around you.

Focus on God’s character

In verses five through twelve, Jehoshaphat stood before the men, women, and children of Judah and led them in prayer. In this prayer, he pled with God to help and deliver the nation from the great multitude that was coming against them. As he prayed, he focused on God’s character. He pled with God on the basis of who He was. Jehoshaphat exalted and concentrated on these aspects of God’s character:

His sovereignty over the nations: "O LORD God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations?" (2
Chronicles 20:6). He rejoices that God is not a faraway God but the ruler of the nations on earth.

His almighty power: "And in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You?" (2 Chronicles 20:6). Jehoshaphat exalts the power of God because He knew His enemies could not stand against this power.

His faithfulness to His promises: Jehoshaphat reminds God of two promises. He asks God to be faithful to
these promises. The first promise is, "Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the
descendants of Abraham Your friend forever?" (2 Chronicles 20:7). If the nations coming against Judah conquered them, the ownership of the land would change hands. This would annul the divine promise. Jehoshaphat pleads with God not to let this promise to Abraham fail. The second promise is, " And they dwell in it, and have built a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, ’If disaster comes upon us-sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine-we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this
temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save’" (2 Chronicles 20:8-9). Jehoshaphat is quoting from Solomon’s dedication prayer after the temple had been built. In this prayer a promise had been given of protection from the
same kind of danger Jehoshaphat and the people were facing. He reminds God of this promise and claimed it in prayer (vv.10-11). God loves to be cornered with His promises. We honor Him when we take His promises seriously and expect Him to fulfill them.

His greatness: "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that
is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You?" (2 Chronicles 20:12). This is a stunning statement in light of 2 Chronicles 17. In that chapter, we are told that Jehoshaphat had one million, six hundred thousand men in his army. 
Jehoshaphat is exalting God’s greatness. His confidence is not in the power of man but in the greatness of God.

Jehoshaphat provides a powerful example of how to pray in the midst of a crisis. He concentrated on the character of God. He did explain the situation that he was facing. He did confess his helplessness to the Lord. Yet, he primarily concentrated on God’s
character. His prayer is filled with the exaltation of God. The character of God consumed him and his praying in this crisis.

When you face the crises of life, focus on God’s character. Let yourself be immersed in who He is. Psalm 9:10 says, "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You." Knowing God’s name means understanding His character. The name of God represents all that God is. When you understand who He is, it will enable you to trust Him. It will enable you to stand strong in the midst of whatever you face. That is why Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

In the midst of a crisis, concentrate on who God is. Let your prayers be consumed with His power, love, and sovereignty. Corner Him with His promises and expect them to be fulfilled. Gaze on His greatness more than on the crisis. Pray that God will deepen your understanding of and your experience of His character in the midst of the crisis.

Be obedient to God’s leading

God answered Jehoshaphat’s prayer for help. His command was clear, "Listen, all you of Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the LORD to you: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 20:15-17). God promised victory if they would trust in Him and stand firm. Jehoshaphat confessed that he did not know what to do. God now gave him specific instructions. And this is exactly what he and the people did (2 Chronicles 20:20-24). Because they obeyed God, they experienced victory. They experienced victory because they sought God, listened to Him, and obeyed Him.

When you seek God in a crisis, listen to His leadings. He may grant you specific insight in what you are to do. He may reveal a plan of action that you must take in the midst of your struggle. He might point out specific promises that you are to claim and expect Him to fulfill. The key is to listen and obey God in the way that he is leading you.

There will be times when God does not give specific insight or leading. What do you do then? In times like this, you must be faithful to do what you know. Stay in the Word of God. Continue to enter God’s presence and seek Him. Ask other believers to pray for you. Keep on worshipping God and fellowshiping with other believers of your church. Strive to obey God in all that you know. It is better to obey God in faith than to disobey God because of your feelings. In the midst of a crisis, strive to obey God as He has taught you and as He is leading you.

Understand whose crisis it is.

Jehoshaphat was facing an overwhelming enemy. This great multitude was more than he could handle. Yet, God revealed to Jehoshaphat that this was not his battle, "Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s" (2 Chronicles 20:15). Jehoshaphat did not have to give in to fear or discouragement. This battle belonged to God. He was going to fight it. Jehoshaphat and the people had to stand firm in faith and trust in God, "Position yourselves, stand still
and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed, tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with
you" (2 Chronicles 20:17).

Did you notice in these two verses what God emphasized to Jehoshaphat? He reminded him twice, "Do not fear or be dismayed." When God spoke through His prophet, He declares to Jehoshaphat that he should not be afraid. A great multitude was coming against him. He did not have the power or the wisdom to deal with this crisis. How could Jehoshaphat overcome fear and discouragement? It is because he knew whose battle this was. He understood to whom the crisis belonged.

When you are in the midst of a crisis, you must remember whose crisis it is. You must understand that it is God’s crisis. It is God’s opportunity to work in powerful and unique ways in your life. It is His occasion to reveal Himself in new and fresh ways to you. It is His circumstance to show you how much He loves you and cares for you.

I am not saying that everything that happens to you is good. On the contrary, there are a lot of lousy, rotten things that can happen to you. The crises that you can face in life can be agonizing and devastating. Yet, at the same time, they can be opportunities for God to work in you, speak to you, and change you. They can be times for God to show you Himself as never before in your life.

You do not have to drown in fear and discouragement in the midst of crisis. Understand that this is God’s opportunity to work in your life. The crises may be bad, but God is good. No matter how hard life gets, God is always good and merciful. God is so good and merciful that He can take the crises of life and use them for His own glory and your good.

It is easy to lose sight of this when you are hurting and struggling. A self-righteous pastor visited a member of his church who had had back surgery. The self-righteous pastor asked him in a pious tone, "My dear brother, what has God taught you through your back surgery?" The member shot back, "God has taught me that back surgery hurts!" In the midst of a crisis, you can forget that God is good and that this is His opportunity to work and to reveal Himself. Your focus can move from God and His goodness to the circumstance and your pain, fear, and discouragement.

That is why it is crucial to keep in mind whose crisis it is. You must continue to remind yourself that this is God’s battle not your’s. One of the things that I have done to help me remember this truth is to say the following prayer on a daily basis. I especially use it in times of crisis. Father, this is Your crisis, not mine. Reveal Yourself to me in fresh and new ways. Father, this is Your circumstance, not mine. Speak to me in clear and powerful ways. Father, this is Your opportunity, not mine. Change me in those areas that You desire. Father, this is Your battle, not mine. Release Your power to sustain me and deliver me. Father, this is Your time, not mine. Let me taste and experience Your goodness as never before in my life.

As you understand whose crisis it is and surrender it to Him, His peace and power will flow into your life. You do not have to be afraid. You do not have to be overcome by fear. Remember to whom the crisis belongs.

Praise God throughout the crisis.

After Jehoshaphat and the people heard the word of the Lord, they worshipped Him, "And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the LORD, worshipping the LORD" (2 Chronicles 20:18). Before the battle on the next morning, Jehoshaphat makes an unusual move. Rather than lining up his military, he appoints a choir (2 Chronicles 20:21). They were going to march ahead of the army onto the battlefield. He told them to sing praise to God before the battle. Never had anything looked so ridiculous since Joshua’s priests marched around the city of Jericho and blew trumpets to make the walls fall down.

Yet, God responded in mighty power, "Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated" (2 Chronicles 20:22). God honored their praise. When they praised God, it unleashed power from heaven. This power made the difference in the battle. Judah did not have to fight the battle. God fought for them. He released His mighty power in response to their praise. In response to God’s victory, the people blessed Him (2 Chronicles 20:26). Jehoshaphat and the people praised God before the battle and after the battle. Even the midst of their crisis, praise poured out of them to the true and mighty God.

When you face the crises of life, offer fervent and continual praise to God. Why should you render praise to God in the midst of a crisis? There are four basic reasons for permeating your crisis times with praise.

It unleashes the power of God (Psalm 22:3). Praise releases the power of God from heaven. When the praise goes up, the power comes down. This power can sustain you and strengthen you. It can also deal with whatever problem or circumstance that you are facing.

It builds your faith. During crisis times, your faith can be weakened. When you focus more on the crisis of your life rather than the character of God, your faith will be weakened. Yet, when you praise God, your focus is on Him and His awesome and holy character. It enables you to trust Him in spite of what you are facing.

It is a testimony to others. When you praise Him in crisis times, you are telling others how great God is. You are providing a living example of what to do when you hurt and struggle.

It is the antidote for fear and discouragement. The only way to answer any feelings of fear and discouragement is praise. Praise is the antidote for these diseases of the soul. It weakens and destroys fear and discouragement.

In order to praise God in a crisis, you must develop a lifestyle of praise. If you do not adore God daily, it will be virtually impossible to praise Him in the midst of a crisis. Praise for God in a crisis is born out of a lifestyle of daily praise. Plead with God to grant you a heart for praise. Ask Him to create within you a spirit of praise in daily life. As you do this, you will be better equipped to praise Him during a crisis.

Claim the peace that comes from prayer.

This event in Jehoshaphat concludes with these words, "Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around" (2 Chronicles 20:30). Jehoshaphat was not worried that these three nations might try and regroup and attack again. He did not fear any other enemies. Even if another force came against him, he knew that the Lord would be his helper. Jehoshaphat was experiencing the peace of God. This peace resulted from his praying. When confronted with a crisis, he sought the Lord and God granted him peace.

Prayer must be our response to a crisis. Yet, we must also claim the peace that God provides through prayer. The Word of God reveals that there is an intimate connection between peace and prayer, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7, emphasis mine). When the believer pours out his or her heart in prayer, it prepares the way for the peace of God to fill his or her heart. In prayer, the believer surrenders the crisis to God. The believer expresses to God his or her feelings. When this takes place, God grants His peace. This peace then encourages and sustains the believer in the crisis.

Peace is yours when you surrender your struggle to God through prayer. Claim that peace when you pour your heart out to Him. God wants to grant you His peace. He will grant it when you surrender yourself and your circumstances to Him through prayer. The combination of prayer with thanksgiving is the path to peace in the midst of any circumstance.

At a conference, a man asked me, "What if you pray and yet you are still struggling with worry and fear in a crisis?" My answer was, "As many times as you feel worry or fear coming over you, surrender yourself and your circumstance to the Lord." You may have to continually surrender your crisis to God. You may have to maintain an attitude of constant thankfulness. Yet, this peace can be yours. It can encourage you and sustain you in all that you face. God wants to give you this peace and you can claim it through prayer. You can receive it as you pour your heart out
to Him and commit into His hands.

Praising And Thanking God In The Midst Of Adversity

This may appear to be an unusual topic. Often the last thing that anyone wants to do in difficult times is praise and thank God. After all, how can you praise and thank God in the midst of adversity? It seems that trying to cope with the adversity zaps all your energy and causes you to focus on the difficulty. Yet, praising and thanking God can help you face these
times with faith and confidence. You can not only endure these times, but also actually grow through them. When you praise and thank God in adversity, you are fixing your faith on Him. Your gaze is not so much on the circumstances as it is on the God of the
circumstances. Rather than being absorbed in the crisis of the moment, you are consumed by the character of your God and Father. What can praise and thank God for in the midst of
adversity? James 1:2-5 provides a model for putting this truth into practice. These verses provide truths
that you can turn into praise and thanks to God in difficult times.

Praise God that He prepares you to face crisis times; Thank Him for the joy you can have in the midst of a crisis.

Praise God for His willingness to help you in the midst of crisis times; Thank Him for using all the circumstances of your life for His own purpose.

Praise God for His patience with you; Thank Him for the endurance that He is creating within your life.

Praise God for being the Potter who shapes and molds your life even through adversity; Thank Him for loving you so much that He works to change you.

Praise Him for being a God of purpose and having a plan for your life; Thank Him for accomplishing that plan in everything that you face.

Praise God for His wisdom that can use adversity for His purpose and your good; thank Him for the wisdom that He grants to handle and use adversity.

Praise God for being the generous God who pours out His blessings on you in the midst of adversity; Thank Him for never getting tired of hearing you cry out to Him.

Praise God for being the giving God who supplies your needs even in the midst of crisis; Thank Him for knowing what you need and for granting it to you at the right time.

Praying For 50/20 Vision

20/20 vision is considered perfect eyesight for a person. This vision allows you to see things clearly and correctly. As believers, we need to develop 50/20 vision. This is based on Joseph’s statement in Genesis 50:20, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring about as it is this day, to save many people alive." Joseph declares to his brothers that God used their evil actions to accomplish His purpose and to bring great blessing to others. These brothers sinned against Joseph; they were responsible for their evil actions. Yet, God took their evil actions and used them to work out His plan for Joseph.

50/20 vision is the ability to see God’s hand at work in every circumstance in life. It is that ability to know and rest in the truth that God is working all things together for good for those who love Him and
live for Him. 50/20 vision gives you the ability to trust God even when you face adversity.

The following are Scriptures to pray to help you seek God for this 50/20 vision. They are to help you cry out for this ability: 
Genesis 50:20, 1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 76:10, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 119:71, Romans 8:28.

Raise Your Sails

A sailboat needs wind in its sails to move; without the wind it floats aimlessly around an endless sea. You also require something to keep you from floating without purpose. In life, you can get wrapped up in so many things and drift from one thing after another, never quite finding the right direction. Our wind is Jesus Christ. Everything we're searching for and seeking can be found in Him. The longing that you have inside is made whole when you seek a relationship with Christ. He is the wind in your sails. He is the one who will guide you safely to your destination.

Don't let your own desires cloud the truth. Whatever is going on in your life today, whatever answers, wisdom, direction or hope you need, the Lord is but a prayer away. Open up the scriptures and read all that He wants to say to you. It is your life compass, directing you. Raise your sails and wait for His loving guidance to propel you forward, gliding you swiftly yet surely to His perfect destination for you; His safe haven, His comfort, His love. Your trip is short, don't waste another moment floating aimlessly; Jesus, your Savior is reaching out to guide you at this very moment...RAISE YOUR SAILS!

“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." John 2:19-22 

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

When Everything Goes Wrong!

I went to my usual place overlooking the ocean at lunch to unwind and write. As I sat my chair down I heard swearing and yelling. There was a young girl sitting on a bench that overlooked the ocean. She was on the phone. At first I thought she was mad but after a short time, I realized she just yells when she talks. I sat there trying to think of something to write about but all I could hear was her. I waited for a few minutes before I finally had to get up and walk further down the bluffs to try to get away from the yelling.

I found a spot a little further up the grass, it had a limited ocean view but was situated far enough away from the girl and not too close to a man who was also relaxing in a chair. Just as I sat down to begin my writing, the man who had been quietly looking out at the ocean got on his phone and seemed to also have a mega phone voice! Then the girl who was quite a ways away took it to another level and screamed, "I don't know what's going on! You need to talk louder I can't hear you!" It was like I had a stereo turned up with both speakers working too good! Just when I thought, "Is this a joke?" A man in front of me who had been working at the ocean front home turned on his leaf blower, the loud humming joined in with the yelling along with blowing dirt and leaves into the air around me. I could do nothing but laugh at that point. It was full surround sound...keeping me from any thought forming in my head other than, "My perfect lunch time is ruined!"

No, things weren't perfect; I was irritated and stuck in the middle of it! Just as my alarm went off signaling my lunch was over, the yelling girl, still on her phone, walked toward me and her car to leave. "Oh perfect timing I thought...NOW she's leaving! It's funny how life is usually like that and we fall victim to our "perfect plans," usually falling short. Even though it happens time and time again, we still allow ourselves to get upset and angry.

I stood up and reluctantly packed up my things; turning just in time to see an elderly lady shuffling along the sidewalk. I smiled at her, she said, "Beautiful day out isn't it?" "Yes it is," I agreed, as I looked out at the ocean. With that, Jean Rees came over and began talking to me. She told me about her life and her travels. She had worked at the library for years to keep her mind sharp. She also volunteered at the local theater up the hill in Newport as a treasurer. I knew I was going to be late getting back to work but I couldn't find it in my heart to excuse myself. She told me about her niece who was just diagnosed with breast cancer. I asked her name, "Julia," she replied. I told her I'd add her to the weekly prayer request I send out. With that she excitedly said she went to a church up the street and she wanted me to know that recently she put a couple of people on their prayer request. The first one was a lady diagnosed with Alzheimer's at the age of 40, but miraculously after prayer, the doctors said it was a "misdiagnosis." Then she added a boy who had leukemia. He was treated and it didn't work, they gave him no hope. But after he was put on the prayer list, they put him on a trial medication and was cured. With a steady, knowing look...she said, "You can never have too many people praying for you." We walked slowly together across the street. Just before I turned to head to my car and she began to head up the inclined street to her home, I stopped, smiled, touched her shoulder and said, "It was so nice meeting you Jean, we'll be praying for Julia...prayer is powerful!" "Thank you," she said with a twinkle in her eye, "It is."

I took a few steps and then decided that I wanted to get a picture of my new friend for my story. As I rounded the corner, I looked to where she should have been because of her slow shuffle, she couldn't have gone very far but she was nowhere in sight. I walked a little further toward the curb to see past a couple of cars...nothing. Wow, that's weird I thought, where could she have gone? I quickly got into my car and turned around to look again as I passed the street and the alley. Nothing. I thought, smiling to myself, "Well Jean either lives in the mansion on the corner or she's an angel." You can bet I'm going to be looking for her next Monday!

Either way, my day had purpose. I now had someone who needed prayer. We need to be willing to look for the opportunities the Lord puts in front of us each day? Can you still look for the good in your day when everything seems to be going wrong? It wasn't my "perfect day" but the Lord always has a plan and His plans are always perfect. He has a purpose for you each day. Seek His will and not your own today!

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Psalm 119:105

"You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word." Psalm 119:114

"My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek." Psalm 27:8




 

A WHALE OF A TRUE STORY!

"What's that?" I shouted pointing out at the ocean!

Let me back up and preface what I stumbled upon before I get into my incredible story...

I'd had a rough week, nothing seemed to go right and I was looking forward to the Labor Day holiday. My hubby and I headed to Balboa, stopped and grabbed a quick bite to eat and then headed to find a spot on a less crowded beach. I needed some serious relax and unwind time. I needed to get my thoughts and emotions under control. 

We found a spot all by ourselves and sat down to enjoy the waves crashing in front of us. The next thing I know, we were surrounded in a semi-circle by seagulls...both sides and behind us, leaving only the ocean view in front of us open. It seemed very odd because we had no food with us at all. I looked up and down the beach and they were only around us. I know that this would probably irritate most people but I've had so many amazing experiences with birds lately that it only serves to remind me of the scripture in Matthew 6:26 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"

Young kids would periodically run up to chase the birds and they'd fly away only to return moments later. They sat quietly, not disturbing us at all just standing around us. My hubby also found this incredibly odd. I proceeded to tell him, "Maybe it's just God's way of reminding us that He's got us in the palm of His hand and we have nothing to worry about. He's taking care of these birds...how much more are we worth to Him?" We continued to sit silently as the waves billowed up, forming a turquoise tube before crumbling onto the shore. 

Now back to where I started this story...all of a sudden I see something dark and long pop up out of the water right next to the shore. "Did you see that? It was really big with barnacles!" I shouted in excitement.

It raised up again and we could tell it was a baby calf (Grey whale). It was so close to us that when the wave closest to the shore formed we could see his entire outline. 

I was so amazed, I jumped up and started following it down the shoreline, capturing pictures and video on my phone. A large crowd had now also noticed, along with a lady who had been called down from the Marine Safety Department who was also walking along following it. She said she had never seen a whale so close to shore. She had been following it for miles as it continued to head south up the shoreline. I followed the whale for a while continually snapping pictures before I realized I was pretty far away and reluctantly turned back. 

Then something incredible happened. I had walked about 50 feet back when all of a sudden I noticed the baby whale who had been traveling south for several miles had turned around with me. I looked out at the ocean to see it's head pop up and there we were, just the two of us alone staring at each other.

He ducked under as his small spout shot water up into the air before resurfacing to look at me again. 

(I later did research and found out it is called whale spying, they actually poke their head out to look at their surroundings.) 

I was in awe. I was speechless. It was a moment...an unforgettable, special experience where I couldn't help but stand there and thank God for His incredible creation. I thanked Him for His hand in my life and for this time of awesome wonder...me and the whale. I found myself fighting back tears. It was a feeling of knowing. God...yes...God had His hand on me, the whale, the birds, the sea and the entire situation. 

The whale then swam off and went back out into the ocean past the pier

There is nothing too big, too difficult, too impossible, too outrageous for God to accomplish. He brought a whale to the shore for heaven's sake. The Lord is always right there with each one of us. 

Today, if you are struggling with a burden, a weight, a sorrow, a loss, an addiction, a lack of faith or trust in anyone or anything...please stop and pray right now. Ask the Lord to come into your life, situation, heart and mind. Ask Him to show you the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Ask for forgiveness, healing and a renewed mind and heart. He is waiting to step into your situation and your life "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:17-19