Reliability of the Promise Keeper’s Love (8/20/26)

Have you ever told someone you would do something, but then later forgot or didn’t follow through? Joe and I forgot to play a game with Sarah a couple of Sundays ago. We have a tradition where both parents play a game together with one child each Sunday. We rotate each week, so in four weeks each child has gotten to pick a game they want to play with just their parents.

God doesn’t ever forget something He’s promised. He’s fully reliable and never changes. The Israelites, however, weren’t faithful. When God asked them to return to Him, they even questioned how they had turned away and how they were robbing Him, not realizing their negligence in giving.    

Malachi 3:6-12  “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁷ Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.

“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the Lord Almighty. ¹² “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.

God reiterated to the Israelites that He doesn’t change, but they had changed. They had been unfaithful and robbed Him by not giving the small number of contributions He had asked from them. Many of the tithes and offerings were to support those doing God’s work at the temple (priests, Levites, musicians, gatekeepers, etc.). So, they were not only robbing Him, but also fellow Jews. God brought the curses He promised in Deuteronomy 27–28 because they failed to obey the commands from Deuteronomy 26. However, He promised to bring abundant blessings if they repented of their rebellion, turned back to Him, and followed His ways.

Would God say you and I have turned away from Him? Where would He say we are robbing Him–in our speech, time, or donations? We don’t have the same specific promises for financial and national blessings, like the Israelites, but God always blesses obedience. Sometimes it is in the form of financial and physical blessings. When we turn back to Him in sincere love, worship, and devotion, we will always experience the blessing of closeness to Him. The peace and security He gives are reliable.

Alice

Righteousness from the Promise Keeper’s Love (8/13/26)

Edmund was upset that I didn’t make pancakes for lunch after church on Sunday. We had leftovers instead. However, for dinner, we did have pancakes. I provided the instructions and the ingredients, and Edmund helped mix the batter. I came behind him to fully mix the batter and prepare the pan. Edmund was pleased to help and even flipped all the pancakes. He got what he had desired (and more), but much later than he originally wanted.

Similarly, the justice the Israelites desired would come later than they expected, but with much greater blessings for those who patiently waited. Last week, Malachi 2 ended with the Israelites questioning God’s justice. God answered by not only promising to bring justice, but also promising to send a messenger before sending the purifying Messiah!

Malachi 3:1-5 “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.

² But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. ³ He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, ⁴ and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.

⁵ “So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.

God’s plans for justice may seem quite delayed to us, but they are unfolding in His perfect time. In verse 1, God promised to send a messenger (John the Baptist) before sending Jesus the Messiah for His first coming. Jesus’s first coming didn’t bring the victory the Jews were expecting, but it provided a way for any follower of Jesus to be guaranteed greater blessings at His second coming. Malachi 3:2-5 talks about this, when Jesus will fully cleanse and transform His followers so they can perfectly worship Him in complete righteousness. His followers will also witness Jesus’s complete judgment of the wicked.

At Jesus’s second coming, which side will you be on: those purified and given Jesus’s righteousness, or those on trial for not fearing God? I pray that each of you will fear God and receive Jesus’s righteousness. Then, we will be made into perfect jewels, completely able to enjoy and please our loving Father!

Thursday Devotional – Jesus is Worthy to Remove Power (6/19/25)

James decided to bike home early on Tuesday from swim practice without talking to a parent. This decision led to a consequence: we took away the privilege to bike to and from swim practice for the foreseeable future. As his parents, we have the authority to give and take away freedoms.

This giving and taking away freedoms can be seen in our Heavenly Father. Sometimes it is a consequence for a decision we made, like in James’ situation, but other times it is Him sovereignly working His plans in the world. As we have authority over James, our Creator has authority over all of creation!

Last week, we discussed the amazing power given to the two witnesses at the end of the world. They were given power to spit fire and fend off their enemies! For 3½ years, they bore witness purposefully and powerfully under Jesus’ protection. But then…  

Revelation 11:7-10        ⁷ Now when they [the two witnesses] have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. ⁸ Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. ⁹ For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial.¹⁰ The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

At first glance, this seems like a devastating conclusion to their ministry, especially after experiencing Jesus’s miraculous power for several years. Jesus will give them physical protection until they complete His work. He will then remove this physical protection for a few days, but it is all part of His sovereign plan.

As we reflect on the events described in Revelation 11, we may think the world is bad now, but it will be far worse at the end. We can find peace in Jesus, knowing He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). As the One with ultimate authority, Jesus may give or remove physical protection as part of His sovereign plan, but He won’t take away our spiritual protection and eternal blessings. What comfort does this give you today?

Let’s continue next week to see how spiritual protection unfolds for the two witnesses and what it means for us!

Thursday Devotional - God is With Us to do the Impossible 2/24/22

I love knowing God can do the impossible!!! The “greatest” impossible feat He has accomplished is that of our salvation.

Matthew 19:23-30       “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.  Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With human beings this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.’”            Matthew 19:23-30

Beyond the impossible feat of saving us, God has also done the impossible to elevate the lowly, reward the sacrificial, and give an inheritance of eternal life to His followers. All of that is seen in these few verses. Maybe you even saw more!

Let’s remember that we know the true God of the impossible who has already provided the best “impossible” blessings!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Battles a Blessing?

Do you think of battles as blessings? I don’t, certainly not while I’m going through the battle.

Joshua faced one battle after another. God could have rained down hail on all the Canaanites or had an earthquake swallow them up, but He didn’t. He chose to work through Joshua and the Israelites one battle at a time in order to give them the wonderful land He had promised.

Joshua 11:18-20 and 23     ¹⁸ Joshua waged war against all these kings for a long time. ¹⁹ Except for the Hivites living in Gibeon, not one city made a treaty of peace with the Israelites, who took them all in battle. ²⁰ For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses…

²³ So Joshua took the entire land, just as the Lord had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war.

Not only did Joshua face one battle after another, by God’s design, but God had the enemies start the conflict! I’m not rejoicing when conflict arises, but God can use it to help us grow, mature, learn and experience the blessings He has for us on the other side!

What battle is going on in your and my life right now that God might be using to eventually bring blessings?

God had Joe and me battle infertility for about 9 years because He was paving the way for us to adopt James and Sarah! Plus, He had lots of ways for us to grow closer to Him and to each other through the struggles.

What battle has God blessed you through in the past?

Let’s remember these blessings as we face new battles.

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Advantages Appreciated?

Sarah is much better at entertaining herself than James. When she thinks to play with a particular toy, then sometimes James decides that’s the toy he wants to use, too! Funny how that works, no matter how many other toys are available!

 

As adults, we sometimes don’t appreciate and use the advantages and blessings we have. In fact, can you think of someone who has received numerous blessings and lots of advantages but doesn’t recognize, appreciate or use them? Paul could.

Paul wrote the book of Romans to primarily Gentile believers in Rome. God had appointed him to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 15:16). Yet, in the following passage Paul grieves over the Jews’ lack of belief, despite all their advantages.

Romans 9:1-5          I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, ⁴ the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. ⁵ Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

The Jews had so many advantages, but didn’t recognize, appreciate or respond appropriately.

What advantages has God given to you and me? How are (or will) you and I appropriately use them for God’s purposes in our own lives and the lives of those around us?

Let’s take time to recognize the advantages He has provided and give Him thanks!

Alice

Thursday Devotional - Suffering in Anticipation of New Life!

Normally I write the devotionals on Wednesday evening after the kids go to bed. However, I was “in” Connecticut (via FaceTime) last night while my youngest sister gave birth to her 2^nd child (Heidi Elizabeth, 7 lbs. 15.2 oz, 21 inches and 9 days late). My sister, Mary, had complications with this pregnancy due to a large hemorrhage. They thought they lost the baby several times, but now they have a healthy baby girl that even nursed in the first 30 minutes!

It’s a huge answer to prayer after lots of concern and waiting. God graciously blessed Mary with strength for an all-natural deliver of only four hours of labor and 1-2 pushes!  Sarah has been praying for “Aunt Mary’s side not to bleed and the baby to live” for many months now! She will be very excited this morning when she wakes up!

As children of God, we are eagerly awaiting our complete salvation and fulfillment of eternal life! Just like childbirth, suffering proceeds blessings.   

Romans 8:16-25     The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

¹⁸ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. ²⁰ For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴ For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

As God helped Mary focus on the impending blessing as she persevered through suffering, we can do the same as we patiently and eagerly await our full inheritance as God’s children!

Alice

Bless And Be Blessed

For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us.  Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.  So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.  1 Thessalonians 5:9-11

There is a gentleman at my church who is incredibly gifted and filled with the Holy Spirit. The other day, he gave me a picture.  On it were various thoughts of encouragement.  One of which caught me off guard.  It said, “Lord, bless this man.”  I paused reading it not because I thought something was wrong with him saying it.  It was humbling because it was directed toward me.  To acknowledge that someone thought so much of me that they would ask that God bless me was special.  This gave me strength throughout the day, and I harken back to the gift as a reminder that we all can both bless and be blessed.

Being encouraging of one another strengthens our faith in God. There have been many things in the world that cause sadness, and the sheer volume of them can seemingly steal our joy.  God however reminds us that these times shall pass, and one day we will have eternal life with Him.  Not for a short period of time but forever.  The letter of Paul to the Thessalonians is filled with words of encouragement like today’s verses.  Thus when times seem difficult for others, our role as Christ followers is to be His spirit to those disheartened by the many difficulties in life.  It may be a simple word or a gift.  Perhaps it could be a note just to say you are thinking of them, or a phone call to say you were thinking of them.  “God put you on my mind, and I thought to call and pray for you.”  This may sound minute and trivial in our minds, but for a person hearing it, it speaks volumes.  And for a person who may have been momentarily lost or needing to hear God’s voice, it could be the difference.

God’s powers are limitless. We often will look at things through our own lens, and see only what we can do.  If we change it to God’s view, we realize there is not much we can’t do.  We all need encouragement from time to time.  2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.””  Giving encouragement cost little, but its value could be immense.  Let us focus on those things which lift others up giving cheerfully to people in any way we can.  Who can you bless today in words or deeds?  How can you be encouraged by the blessing you are to Christ?  My prayer is that we look at ourselves realizing that we can both bless and be blessed.  Amen.

Our Journey to Adoption, Part IX - Blessings from the Impossible

As I mentioned last week, slowly the other possible homes for James and Sarah fell through and left us and the current foster family. The current foster family didn’t take their names off the list, in case we fell through. They also made it seem like they were waiting to decide if we cared enough about the kids. If they didn’t feel like we cared enough, then they were going to adopt. It certainly made us feel manipulated for continuous weekend respite care, not to mention extra scrutiny.

After much pressure, even though it was the heat of tax season, we also agreed to keep the kids for part of Spring break so that the foster family could go on a family vacation geared for their older children. However, a few days before Spring break, the other family that was going to take the kids for the other half of the week called and cancelled. We were then pressured that if we really cared about the kids we would agree to keep them longer than originally planned! I felt like we were already going way out of our way and had already taken off some work time at a very busy time of year.

After prayer and talking to my boss about a creative work schedule, we agreed to keep the kids. It was quite a tiring week, but we really bonded with them! It helped to be all together for more than just a weekend!!! God used what seemed like unrealistic expectations to bring blessings. I shouldn’t be surprised, as God can bring blessings from any impossible situation, including death!  

John 11:38-43           ³⁸ Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ³⁹ “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” ⁴⁰ Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. ⁴² I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” ⁴³ When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” ⁴⁴ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
What are you facing that seems overwhelming, stressful, or impossible? Will you take it to God and then be willing to creatively participate in the solution? The greatest blessings often come out of the most difficult situations.

Alice

Our Journey to Adoption, Part V - A Rough Beginning

When we first met James and Sarah at a park (in July 2015), Sarah was barely walking and not really talking. James was bouncing off anything and everything, but let us play with him. We met another time or two at a park. In the meantime, the court had a hearing and proceeded to pursue adoption rather than reunification. They were to schedule a hearing 3 months out to terminate the parents’ rights. However, it never got scheduled.

We continued to schedule meetings with the kids, though. In the Fall (of 2015), we met the kids at the Toledo Zoo and then scheduled their first visit to our house for the weekend before Thanksgiving. The plan was to introduce the kids to our house and then keep the kids over the Thanksgiving weekend overnight. We had a bad snow storm, though, and the foster family turned around after making it only a few miles. We still went ahead with the Thanksgiving overnight the next weekend. I was nervous and it ended up far worse than I had imagined. They screamed and flailed an hour at bedtime. We tried to reassure them that they were going home the next day, we hugged them, we scratched backs, but nothing seemed to calm them. Of course, I can’t imagine what was going on in their little heads and how confused they must have felt. Sarah screamed about 5 different times throughout the night, too. It was horrible! What made it worse is that we didn’t even know how likely it would be for us to adopt the kids.  

We couldn’t argue God’s hand in the details leading up to this point, so we had to continue following His lead even through all the difficulties and unknowns.

As with the blind man Jesus healed, his life didn’t get easier after encountering and following Jesus. He could see, but he then got kicked out of the synagogue!

John 9:24-34   ²⁴ A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” ²⁵ He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” ²⁶ Then they asked him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” ²⁷ He answered, “I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too?” ²⁸ Then they hurled insults at him… ³⁰ The man answered…³¹ We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.³² Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. ³³ If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” ³⁴ To this they replied, “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” And they threw him out.

How has following Jesus brought blessings, but also hardship and turmoil? God works through the hardships to develop perseverance and grow our faith, just as He did with the blind man. Where do you and I need to persevere (remembering the blessings), knowing God will be with us and help us?  

God Will Take Care Of You

But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, son of My friend Abraham,  I have taken you from the ends of the earth. I have called you from its farthest parts, and said to you, ‘You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not turned away from you.’ Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.  Isaiah 41:8-10

As I start my devotions for the New Year, I realized something that many of you may have already acknowledged.  2015 was a hard year!  I know that I had my challenges, but when I recall a lot of the pain and suffering many of you have had to endure, my troubles seem to pale in comparison. Some people I know have even begun to question where God fits in their lives or even if He exists.  When you hear the conversation circle around that fact, you know things have been tough.  We all get knocked down at some point, and yes, the life we live can at times be discouraging.  But today, I want to follow along the verse of 1 Thessalonians 5:11; to encourage you and build you up by assuring that God is still God, and He is with you.

God is with you each and every step of the way.  The challenges and suffering you may have faced last year will not last, and the uncertainty and fear you may be dealing with shall not endure. God knows exactly where you are, and wants you to know He has not forgotten you.  David wrote in Psalm 23:4, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” These are words of encouragement whether in good times or bad.  For those of you who may be in a time of prosperity, let this be a time to pause and reflect on the blessings God has given you, and for you to ask what you are doing for God.  Deuteronomy 8:11 says, “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.”

The New Year is a time to reset and look ahead at what God has in store for you.  We have been saved through Christ so that we will one day live with Him in Heaven. Thus while we may have uncertainty in our lives, we can be assured that God is always with us. What can you do to focus more on God’s promises and less on your current situation?  How can you in live by 2 Corinthians 5:7 where you walk by faith and not by sight?  My prayer for you today is no matter where you are and what you are going through; keep the words of an old gospel hymnal in your mind and heart;

Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you;

Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.

God will take care of you,

Through every day,

O’er all the way;

He will take care of you,

God will take care of you!

Amen.

The Good And The Bad Of Thanksgiving

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20

Just a little over seventeen years ago, I received a phone call letting me know that I would be offered a job to work at my current employer.  As I looked back, I remembered my excitement getting the job offer.  Thoughts about the jobs I had before never quite being happy in any of them swirled in my head.  Each one of them prepared me in their own way for that moment.  Even the ones that I did not enjoy had a level of relevancy because they would become reminders of just how good I would now have it.  Thus I was thankful for all that had happened prior to that day.

When looking back at our journey of faith, we are to be thankful for all that happened to bring us closer to God today.  We are thankful of the blessings He has given us like our jobs and homes.  We are to be thankful for the people He brought into our lives to influence and be influenced by us.  We are thankful for the many victories He has given us in His name.  And yet, we are to be thankful for the many trials and losses we have had.  They have tested our faith and taught us lessons that would be useful for future success.  We are also to be thankful for the failures that we had for they proved our imperfections and reminded us how we are not God despite our knowing who He is.  They awakened the Holy Spirit within us saying something is not right.  They became the inspiration for us to do better, and once learned, became testimonies to those who once believed they could never make it.  You see?  Once we become a child of God, we are no longer bound by sin.  However like all children, we must grow and build a better relationship with God from it.  That is something we can be eternally thankful for.

God is good whether we are or are not.  When things are good, it is very easy to love God.  However our love is never fully appreciated when it is easy.  It is when the most trying of circumstances challenge our love is tested.  In spite of our greatest sins, God loved on us showing His mercy and grace.  For that most of all, we should be infinitely thankful.  What problem in your life can you give thanks to God for?  How can you show an attitude of gratitude for God in all circumstances?  My prayer is that we simply show thanks to God for everything; both good and bad.  Amen, and I pray for you and your family a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Protection, Blessings, and Love

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever.Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.  Psalm 5:11-12

The other day, my family found that our first house had a major fire.  We were incredibly saddened to learn of it, and we prayed that everyone who currently lived in the house was safe.  Then as I thought more about it, I realized that I would never see my old home again.  The memories that our family built there would be all that remained.  But on the other side of it, I realized God had blessed us allowing our family to move to our new home and change our lives.  Even if we were still in that house, I believe we would have been alright, but I did not want to be unappreciative of the fact that God has loved, blessed, and protected our family.  We are so humbled that He has done so.

All of us as Christians are so incredibly blessed as children of God. We could complain about many things going on in our lives.  We might feel our boss is being tough on us or our children do not want to talk to us anymore.  Some of you might have the struggle of dealing with the loss of a loved one, and others wish they could lose the loved one they have (smile).  Many face difficult decisions about what job to choose.  Even some are struggling to decide whether or not to stay in an abusive relationship with a spouse.  No matter where you are in your life, know there is a God who is with you each and every step of the way.  He loves you, and blesses you infinitely.  He is always there looking out and protecting you from harm.  In placing our trust in Him, there are barriers moved that we would never see, and He sets in motion plans for us days, weeks, and months in advance so that each move we make is in line with His perfect plan for our lives.

When we give praise to our God, we have nothing to fear!  God said through the prophet Isaiah, “I will lead blind Israel down a new path, guiding them along an unfamiliar way. I will brighten the darkness before them and smooth out the road ahead of them. Yes, I will indeed do these things; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)  God is always looking out for us.  Our goal is to rely on Him, give of ourselves to Him, and give thanks to Him for He is indeed worthy of our praises.  What should you be thankful of today?  What small issue can you give to Him in exchange for praising Him for the position He has given you?  My prayer is that we praise God for His protection, blessings, and love.  Amen!

Stop Whining

“And say to the people, ‘Purify yourselves, for tomorrow you will have meat to eat. You were whining, and the Lord heard you when you cried, “Oh, for some meat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the Lord will give you meat, and  you will have to eat it.  And it won’t be for just a day or two, or for five or ten or even twenty.  You will eat it for a whole month until you gag and are sick of it. For you have rejected the Lord, who is here among you, and you have whined to him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?”’”  Numbers 11:18-20

My mom is an amazing woman.  I watched her struggle through getting a Master’s degree away from home while raising me through my first year in high school.  To make things a little more ‘challenging,’ she would be sick some days to the point that she was hospitalized for multiple days and even weeks.  Through all of this, she never complained.  It left quite the impression on me.  I learned never to complain about my circumstances.  That is not to say that I was always content, but whenever I find myself whining over a situation, I remember the incredible blessings God had given me to end up in that situation.  Then, it becomes easier to manage.

We must always focus on those blessings God has given us rather than the complications that may arise from them.  In today’s verses, God is answering Moses, who went to Him on behalf of the Israelites complaining about their food supply.  Here they were having been slaves for generations and both freed and witness to miracles performed by God, and they are now coming to God with . . . complaints about dinner?  It is amusing to read because it seems silly that the Isralites in essence would rather give up their freedom to have steak every once in a while than eat breaded wafers (manna) every day and be free.  But then I thought about it.  We all complain about some circumstance not realizing how God has blessed us to arrive at that moment (Why do I have to do this task for the job that I love?  Why do I have to go to this function for my spouse who is the love of my life?  Why do I have to forgive this person because God forgave me for far worse?).  This is the point.  We should always focus on God's love, grace, and gifts given above the challenges we are presented with because of those very things.

We serve a God of abundance who promises to provide all that we will ever need.  Sure there are times we have problems that we would rather not deal with, but we should never forget the blessings given us that put us in that very position for as Moses told the Israelites, “You ate no bread and drank no wine or other alcoholic drink, but he provided for you so you would know that he is the Lord your God.”  (Deuteronomy 29:6)  What problem(s) can you embrace today realizing the blessings that brought you to it?  My prayer is that we focus on the blessings we have and simply stop whining.  Amen.