God my redeemer

 

High

“But for now, dear servant Jacob, listen—

    yes, you, Israel, my personal choice.

God who made you has something to say to you;

    the God who formed you in the womb wants to help you.

Don’t be afraid, dear servant Jacob,

    Jeshurun, the one I chose.

For I will pour water on the thirsty ground

    and send streams coursing through the parched earth.

I will pour my Spirit into your descendants

    and my blessing on your children.

They shall sprout like grass on the prairie,

    like willows alongside creeks.

This one will say, ‘I am God’s,’

    and another will go by the name Jacob;

That one will write on his hand ‘God’s property’—

    and be proud to be called Israel.”

God, King of Israel,

    your Redeemer, God-of-the-Angel-Armies, says:

“I’m first, I’m last, and everything in between.

    I’m the only God there is.

Who compares with me?

    Speak up. See if you measure up.

From the beginning, who else has always announced what’s coming?

    So what is coming next? Anybody want to venture a try?

Don’t be afraid, and don’t worry:

    Haven’t I always kept you informed, told you what was going on?

You’re my eyewitnesses:

    Have you ever come across a God, a real God, other than me?

    There’s no Rock like me that I know of.”

Isaiah 44 (MSG)

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Trusting God in the dark

rain

 

Everything is falling apart.

Nothing is working out like I thought it would.

I thought that by now I would not only have received word that I was to go to England, but also that my kids would all have everything set in stone as well.

None of that is the case.

I am tired, worn to the core.

Yet I hold on to hope.

It may be false hope and I may look the fool.

But I believe that God called me here.

I believe that even though it is dark now, so very dark, that at just the right moment, at His appointed time,

God will shine His light.

And even if things don’t work out as I thought they would God will open a new path.

While I believe that God is under no obligation to do anything for me, or explain anything to me, I believe that because He loves us each in a personal way.

I believe that God is not like some dictator type parent who barks orders and expects us to never think but always act.

This is not the God that I have always know.

I have know a God who deeply loves me.

I have known a father, that didn’t not judge me by my past but who saw me in light of my future,

I have known a Father who had time after time declared His love for me through His word, through a song,  or through one of the million “coincidences” that have happened to me since I have believed.

God is not a God of disorder (14:33) and he would not ask me to trust Him and then forget all about me, or ignore me.

He has a plan and because He is good, He plans are always good.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells me that

I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

So while right now it LOOKS like God has abandoned me, that my future is about as bright as a mining shaft, I am holding and and waiting in Hope. He has never let me down yet and I know that He will make a way.

And at just the rght moment, though it is dark, though it is cold and wet and the rain is pouring down.

He ill turn on the light, and lead the way home.

Because He loves me!

He love you too!!

Hold on to hope!!!

Hold on to Jesus!!

 

 

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Thanksgiving, its not just a holiday

thanks

When things get hard, and God is silent it is easy (oh so easy) to whine and complain. But that never got anyone anywhere with God.

I am in a season when the pressure is mounting minute by minute.

I am in a season of growth and stretching.

When God’s silence has rung loud in my ears.

I am tired and worn and was starting unravel.

I talked with a friend who encouraged me to take a walk so that I might hear from God.

I took the walk with less than low expectations and only heard one thing “Jammin.”

I felt a nudge to look up Jammin and England (where I was called to) and surprisingly came across a blog called “Jammin in the UK.” As far as I can tell the “Jammin” blog is all about being thankful.

I was quickly convicted that I have spent more time wondering and worrying than thanking.

I realize that I have make it a priority to proclaim why I am thankful. To remember all the very amazing ways that God has blessed me so.

Because even though I may not be hearing a lot from Him now, He has done so much for me.

He has:

Given me children.

Given me a nice home.

 Given us food to eat and books to readJ

Comforted me when I was down.

Carried me when I thought I could go no farther.

The list goes on and on.

It is too much to blog about but I think I am going to write one for myself, and keep adding to it as He brings things to my mind.

And I am going to look at it often to remind me that “Thanksgiving” is not a just a holiday. For Christians it should be a way of life.

Even though things are hard that does not change the fact that God is good.

What are you thankful for?

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