His Right Hand

My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Just this week the Holy Spirit impressed upon me the word "hand" in a very real and profound way. I went online and began to search for scriptures containing the word "hand".  I was amazed at how many times references to the right hand of God and the hand of Jesus appeared.  It was definitely a common thread throughout not only the Old Testament but the New as well.

The hand of God is seen as a help, protection, defense, love, and salvation offered to us all.  The Bible told me as I read how not only is my time in His hand but also the fate of my enemies.  I then read that His right hand holds me with great gentleness, which  I loved!

Over and over I discovered scriptures about the hands of Jesus, too!  When Jesus touched someone with His hand they were immediately healed.  The scriptures tell us, "immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him..." which I absolutely love.  What a very real picture of what Jesus did, does, and will continue to do for us with the power of His hand.

Stop Judging What You See

 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

While scrolling through Facebook today I began to notice several very judgmental posts from Christian people I know.  Each of these people were ranting about some group of people and how what they were doing was wrong.  Some of them I even had to agree with, yet I then realized as a victim of judging I couldn't go along with them.  I couldn't encourage them the way others were doing.  

Since my husband was diagnosed with heart failure 8 years ago, we have experienced great struggles with being judged in numerous ways.  The worst has been due to Brian not "looking sick" as many people comment.  You see, in our society you must look the part in order to play it or be recognized.  Because Brian has chosen to live life to the fullest and not sit at home feeling sorry for himself most people never even realize the great struggles he faces daily with his health.  Due to the severity of his condition and the amounts of medication he takes daily, he really should not get out of the bed, but with the power of God and a determination like no one else I know, he does and with a smile.  

Years ago it started when one day, while Brian was very sick, we were at a gas station and I was pumping gas as Brian sat in the car.  I didn't notice what was happening until I was finished and found Brian crying in the car.  He explained that a man getting gas across from us starred at him the entire time he pumped gas and then shook his head at him before getting in his car.  It was as to say to Brian, "You sorry man.  Allowing your wife to pump gas and you just sit in the car."  From that day on Brian asked me to get gas while he was home or he would lay his seat all the way back so people could not see him.  

Just recently we visited Disney World and once again this happened to Brian.  We had read before visiting that the parks now had something called the "Disability Assistance Card" for people with conditions such as Brian's.  You don't cut people in line but instead if the wait is one hour, cast members sign your card and you can return in one hour.  This keeps the disabled person from having to stand in the heat.  Well, because Brian didn't look sick, the person who assisted us was very rude and tried to refuse us the card.  Brian was very embarrassed.  I have since written to Disney World and they personally called us to apologize but it's still not okay.  Brian was judged as a person trying to just get a card who wasn't really sick.  

Please, consider all I have shared today before you judge the next person.  Thanks so much.

Obedience Sounds Good???

 We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10:5,6

These scriptures sound really good until we have to actually make them a reality in our own lives.  When we have to leave our comfort zone it doesn't seem quite as beautiful to be obedient to our Savior.  We all want to use "powerful God-tools" in order to fight the corrupt culture we are all living within, but going against the grain of this world is never easy.  We love the idea of tearing down barriers and sharing the truth of God but what if this means our family won't like it?  Will we still like it if our friends think we are crazy and even turn their backs on us?  This passage ends very clearly by stating that we are to build lives of obedience to God.  

If you are like me, this was a frightening thought. God told me to go to a place I didn't choose to live.  Since that time many relationships with family and friends were damaged and even lost.  I had to answer the question,  "Do I love the Lord enough to actually put Him and His will before my ideas and what makes me and others happy?" My answer was "YES!"  God came before what others thought or how they treated me.  Even now friends that were my very closest can't understand and cut contact with me.  Many times the very ones you think will be the happiest and most supportive will be the total opposite.  Because they are Christians will not mean they will understand.

Let me tell you that for years, I lived to make people happy.  I really believed I was doing the right thing until I realized everyone else was happy and I wasn't.  I began to grow closer to the one who was my true help and source of strength, who was Jesus Christ, and one day He told me to move to a town I had never even visited or much less heard of.  I actually listened. There isn't time enough for me to share all the mind-blowing blessings and experiences I have had since being obedient.   I tell you today, PLEASE, don't allow fear and opposition to stop you from being obedient to God!  You will NEVER regret it for one moment.

We Don't Have a Clue

‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV

Have you ever heard the expression, "God knows what's going on?"  I know I have all my life.  I really didn't get it until I saw this graphic today and realized it has everything to do with Jeremiah 33:3.  In this scripture God is telling us that if we call to Him, He will not only answer us but that He will show us great and mighty things.  I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty awesome to me.  I like hearing about things like that especially in a world where I constantly hear about so many troubling things.  

God also puts the icing on the cupcake when He adds that the things He will show us are things we didn't even know about.  They will be things so great and mighty that we can't even imagine them happening.  Those are what I like to call God surprises or what the Bible refers to as miracles!  

As you read Jeremiah 33:3, I encourage you to read all the different translations so that you can get a full grasp of how life changing this scripture really is.  It came alive to me almost one year ago and has grown in importance and reality within my life ever since.  I find myself sharing it with others as the Holy Spirit tells me to do so.  Then I have fun just sitting back and watching the scripture come to life in that person's life as well.  

The coolest thing is that when we don't know what's going on in our life, He does.  He really does know everything that is going to happen to you and I want you to know that HIS plan for your life is always for your good.  Nothing takes God by surprise.  Many times we make decisions that cause the plan to detour but when we do that is not God's fault.  We need to know that He knows what is best and has great and mighty things planned for our lives!

What? I Didn't Know!

Leviticus 19:32

“‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. 

I am the Lord.

Recently I spoke with a dear friend who had taken her elderly mother to the doctor.  Soon after the visit began she discovered that years ago her mother's doctor had detected an issue but her mother had ignored it and not shared it with the family.  My friend remained calm and listened as the doctor shared that the concern had not gone away and still needed to be treated.  My friend, of course, was so upset that for the past several years she was unaware of this medical issue her mother was suffering from.

Unfortunately, this is something I hear quite often from those who are beginning to take on the role as caregiver to their aging parents.  It is so difficult when the roles begin to change.  I saw it for years as my mother took care of her parents and in-laws.  She was forced to take on the role of the "parent" so to speak and they were unwillingly forced into the role of the "child" in many ways. 

It is very important to attend doctor appointments, visits to the optometrist, and even the dentist when you feel  your parents' health may be changing or failing.  There are tactful ways of doing this without them feeling intruded upon or babied.  Also, make sure that you are aware of their medications and if they are taking them.  It is a lot, I know.  But, it can be done with success. 

I was very proud of my friend for handling the situation with such grace and care.  She never argued with her mother or showed disrespect, which is key.  But, she knows now what is going on and what she must do in the future.  I just knew there was someone else out there who needed to hear this story in order to encourage their heart.

I'm Not Ready

How many times have we all prayed, "Father, I am ready for big things to do in Your kingdom.  Please create open doors for me today so that I might do mighty works in Your name!"?  I know I have.  I know that many times I have become very frustrated with God and His timing for my life.

I have felt that I am ready, learned, and equipped for anything He could ask me to do.  I have spent countless hours, days, and even months wondering when I would get my big break to do amazing things for God and for others in His name. 

Just recently, I have been reading a book entitled Experiencing God by Henry and Richard Blackaby.  This has been a work full of simple yet insightful things I need to hear from the Lord.  One thing that hit me personally was that God uses us in the way He sees fit and feels we are ready.  There have been times when if He had allowed me to do a certain thing I would not have been spiritually or emotionally ready for the challenge.  It also may have been a time when He needed to grow me in the area of trusting Him. 

Blackaby says, "Our own hearts can deceive us.  We can often have a higher estimate of our faithfulness and trust in God than we should.  God is never fooled.  He always matches His assignments with our character and faith in Him.  So trust Him.  Don't insist that God put you in a position you think you should have." 

Being obedient should be our main focus in all we do.  When we are in constant prayer, reading His Word, and spending time in His presence we will begin to see where and how God wants to use us. 

My Plans

My days have passed, my plans are shattered.
    Yet the desires of my heart
 turn night into day;
    in the face of the darkness light is near.  Job 17:11,12

Have you ever planned something and then had it not work out the way in which you had hoped?  Well, this past week was like that for me.  For several months I had planned a trip for my family to Disney World but when we arrived my plans all began to change right before my eyes.  

First, my husband and I both became ill and after going to see a doctor at a local immediate care we were diagnosed with severe sinus infections.  We contemplated ending our trip but due to disappointing our daughter and ruining her 11th birthday and loosing the money we had spent on the vacation, we decided to tough it out. 

As the days passed the temperatures rose.  Due to my husband's heart failure he cannot function in hot temperatures and high humidity, but we found both of these when we walked outside of our hotel room.  For this reason, my husband, Brian, spent two whole days in the hotel room which was definitely NOT part of my plan!

I love to plan each day of our vacations so when illness and heat attacked our family, I was forced to changed our plans each day.  We were not able to do all the activities we had planned and several things were cancelled completely.  I was frustrated and upset many times but I can say that God never left me and kept us safe each and every day.  God also allowed me the strength to function so that I could continue to do things with Taylor throughout the week.  

I am thankful that even when our plans change our God never does! God allowed me to still make some beautiful memories and for that I will always be thankful.