GO JUMP IN THE LAKE!

TGIF Greetings~

A shout-out to my mom whom I remember fondly on this day in particular.  Even though she firmly believed that Halloween was wrought with evil aspects that try to snuff out the light of Christ, she believed even more firmly in Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Therefore, every year, I, who according to her had the best handwriting of all the children, would make a poster that said, “We do not believe in the evils of Halloween, but if you want candy in the name of Jesus, knock on the door!”  I am pleased to report that plenty of people knocked! Amen!

Now, on to our DEVO.

Mark 11:22 “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake' - no shuffling or shilly-shallying - and it's as good as done.”

“This mountain.”

What, dear one, is blocking your path to joy and peace? What larger-than-life situation has you freaking out.  It could be a mountain of bills, a mountain of sadness, a mountain of medical issues, loneliness, fear, rebellious children, a heartless husband…

Jesus never says that mountains don’t exist, but He does say that when we embrace God and the way He wants us to live, we can speak to that mountain, and it will move.  This brings up an interesting point.  I was talking to a friend the other day about this very same verse and she said, “Yenise, the mountains have ears.”

That’s a great way of saying the mountains will hear whatever we tell them.  Notice how Jesus doesn’t say, “Please move.” Or, “I know you are big, but I need you to move aside now.”  Nope! Jesus is firm and to the point.  Authoritative.  Resolute. No shilly-shallying, which means no hesitation and no stalling. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, No shilly-shallying from me today.  In the name of Jesus I speak to this particular situation (Fill in the blank:_______________): GO JUMP IN THE LAKE!

Thank You that “It’s as good as done!” Amen.

   

Great Advice!

Greetings,

If I were to ever have an advice column – like Dear Abby or Ann Landers – I know what my first entry would say:

“Dear Reader, Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, 'Go jump in the lake' - no shuffling or shilly-shallying - and it's as good as done.”

This is the foundation for beautiful living, and, of course, Jesus originally said these words in Mark 11:22 (The Message Version).

When we really embrace the God-life, when we purpose in our hearts that we are going to do things His way, the pay off is HUGE.  Nothing will be too much for us!  Nothing!

That sounds almost too good to be true, but because we are faith-filled Bible believers, we accept it as fact, one that we can implement in our life ASAP.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that one way we embrace You and the life You want us to live is by spending time in prayer.  It’s an incredible blessing to know that with You on our side, we can handle anything that comes our way.  In Christ’s name, AMEN~

It's Only Temporary~

Years ago a soda pop company was giving away prizes found on the bottle caps.  Jorge and I were thrilled to learn that we had won a remote control caddy.  We followed all the instructions and waited eagerly for our prize.  Jorge had visions of playing golf with an automated club carrier, and I was all excited just to have won something. A couple of weeks later the box arrived, and we knew right away there was a mistake.  How can you fit a caddy big enough to hold a bag of clubs into a box that was 10” X 10”?

Because the remote control caddy they sent was a black plastic organizer to keep the TV remote nearby.  Talk about a “DUH” moment.  Nevertheless, we were sad.

Experiencing disappointment is a fact of life.  Not one of us will go through life 100% satisfied 100% of the time.  But in this current day and age of so much bad news, I have great news: The day is coming when we will never be disappointed again!

I can barely imagine what that would be like.  No more headaches, hassles, or stress!  No more sadness, frustration, or fear! No more bitter pills to swallow, worry, or tension!  Everyone getting along perfectly, and everyone and everything at peace having fun with Jesus…      

Romans 10:11 "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (New American Standard Bible)

This verse actually appears in all caps in the NASB version of the Bible, and it’s because God wants to get our attention.  He wants us to embrace this beautiful promise when we’ve had a rough day.  He wants us to thank Him that heaven’s joy awaits.  He wants us to be completely and totally uplifted by the assurance that one day soon it will get better and that it will last for ever.

Next time we experience disappointment, let us take a moment to remind ourselves that disappointment – no matter how harsh – is only temporary.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for this verse.  Life is beautiful, but it has its difficult seasons.  We needed to be reminded that one day only the good shall remain!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

A Glorious Reversal~

A final footnote on Daniel…

Did you know he was around 90 years old when he was thrown in the lion’s den?  I am pushing 50 and don’t think my heart could take it.  It just goes to show how calm we can be even in the midst of unthinkable troubles.  The key, as we have discovered, is that Daniel was a man of prayer before the problems, during, and after.  It was his way of life! Plus, never ever let anyone tell us we are too old for something; our best days are yet to come.  God wants to use us even when we are geriatrics!

It’s also important to note that it is in the lion’s nature to devour and destroy.  Yet, God went against the will of those beasts to protect Daniel.  Let us always remember that “If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).” 

And finally, there’s what I like to call The Glorious Reversal.

King Darius went from issuing a decree where he was seeking prayers to himself to “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:26).”

The reasons King Darius gives will be our prayer today:

Thank You, Lord, that You are “the living God and You endure forever; Your kingdom will not be destroyed, Your dominion will never end. You rescue me and You save me; You performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. You rescued Daniel from the power of the lions and You rescue me from their power as well!” In Jesus’ name, AMEN! (Daniel 6:26-27)

God Shuts Mouths!

Thursday greetings~

Last time we laughed at how the king rolled a stone over the lion’s den and sealed the deal with some rings.  We laughed because we all know that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.

But, did God, to whom Daniel “was so loyal,” rescue him?

Daniel 6:19-22 “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.  When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, ‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?’ Daniel answered, ‘My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.’”

Amen! The Bible says that “no wound was found on Daniel because he had trusted in God!” Other versions of the Bible say, “there was not a scratch on him,” and “no manner of hurt was upon him.”

When we trust in God we might face dangerous, calamitous, or difficult situations, but let us pray that we will emerge unwounded - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually - just like Daniel.  This passage shows us that it is possible.

Not only was Daniel rescued but, "At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.”

Yikes and ouch!  This verse serves to further remind us of just how perilous Daniel’s situation was.  Before the false accusers even hit the floor, the lions crushed their bones.  Yet, Daniel was in there overnight and was perfectly fine. 

This story inspired one of my all-time favorite lines in a song entitled Praying Man: “Never throw a hungry lion in the den with a praying man.”

Why is that?  Because if the goal is to feed the lion, it will starve!  

God will “shut the mouth” of whatever is threatening us when we pray.  

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your Word.  It is so encouraging to know that by praying and keeping our focus on You, even lion’s mouths will be shut against their will!  It does not matter how loud something roars or how vicious it is, You will render it ineffective.  In fact, we invite You to send Your angel into our lives today to protect us and our families; let anything that comes against us starve to death!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~  

Hahahahahahaha~

Tuesday blessings ~

Daniel and the lions’ den continued…

Daniel 6:16 “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lion’s den. The king said to Daniel, ‘Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.’” 

The king – the one who was so unbelievably self-centered enough to decree that he alone must be worshipped – knew that the only One Who could save Daniel was God.  Amen! Even the heathen have hope! 

Even so, look at verse 17: “A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.”

Other versions of the Bible say, “So that no one could rescue Daniel,” “that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel,” and “so that no one would interfere with Daniel's situation.”

This verse is laughable! Let’s laugh! Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Really?  A stone and a few seals and nothing will change?  No one can rescue him? Daniel’s fate is sealed and no one can interfere?

Is there something blocking your path today? Is there something that has you feeling shut in with no way of escape? Do you feel as though your situation won’t change? Do you think that what’s done is done and your fate is already determined?  Do you feel like Daniel?  Do you look like Daniel? Has someone written you off?

Lord have mercy!

There’s a reason why none of the pronouns in the verse above are capitalized, and there’s a reason why God allowed these silly men to block Daniel’s exit and go through all the histrionics of sealing the lion’s den.  Let there be no doubt that if, in fact, Daniel is rescued, the credit and the glory and the all the honor will go to our Lord!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that nothing is too difficult for you, and nothing, certainly not a mere mortal and his seals, can stop You.  A doctor’s report can’t stop You. A crisis at work can’t stop You.  A rebellious child can not stop You.  And a stone?  Rolling those away are Your specialty.  In Jesus’ mighty name, AMEN~  

God Will Save Us~

TGIF greetings,

Let’s all get inspired with Daniel as we continue his story.

Daniel chapter six tells us he was a man of “exceptional qualities,” “he was more capable than all the others,” and he possessed an extraordinary spirit.”   As a result he was in a position of authority – only second to the king.  For these reasons he became a target.  His jealous employees persuaded the king to make it illegal to pray to anyone but the king for the next 30 days, but Daniel did not, I repeat, did not back down.

Of course, the troublemakers were there, and “found Daniel praying and asking God for help.”

They didn’t find him freaking out, pacing the floor, or questioning his faith.  They found him praying and asking God for help.  Our very first course of action, no matter what, should always be to pray and ask God for help. 

Nevertheless, than they went straight to the king and reminded him about the decree that anyone who prays to anyone or anything except the king would be thrown into the lions’ den.  “They said to the king, ‘Daniel pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.’  When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.”

That poor king! He felt horrible.  To his credit he tried all day to save Daniel, but those troublemakers were nearby reminding him that “according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

Dear brothers and sisters, sometimes even the number one person in charge can not save us, but you know Who can? “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this.” Other versions of the Bible say, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you," and "May your God, whom you always worship, save you!"

I speak this powerful truth over every one of us today: May the God whom we serve continually rescue us, in Jesus’ name! May the God we worship save us, and our God is going to get us out of whatever mess we are in! Amen!

Just As He Had Always Done~

Tuesday greetings,

Daniel was a godly young man who was so smart and so good at his job as supervisor over an entire kingdom that the jealous guys who worked for him plotted to overthrow him. The Bible says, however, that they could not find any scandal to use against him.  Daniel was “totally exemplary and trustworthy.”

They came up with another plan:   “We’re never going to find anything against this Daniel unless we can cook up something religious.”

They all went to the king and convinced him to issue a decree that “For the next thirty days no one is to pray to any god or mortal except you, O king. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown into the lions’ den.” And just like that, “King Darius signed the decree.”

What on earth would we do at this point?  I hope we never have to find out.  Daniel, on the other hand, “when he learned the decree had been signed and posted, continued to pray just as he had always done.”

JUST AS HE HAD ALWAYS DONE…

Daniel was a man of prayer before the ridiculous decree, and nothing – not even the threat of being thrown in a lion’s den – would stop him from being a man of prayer afterward.

It occurs to me that maybe the reason he was such a great guy to begin with is because he spent time with God on a daily basis.  In fact, “Daniel’s house had windows in the upstairs that opened toward Jerusalem.  Three times a day he knelt there in prayer, thanking and praising his God.”

I wonder what this world would be like if all the men on planet earth took time, three times a day, to kneel in prayer and thank and praise our Lord?

Nevertheless, an important point for us all to embrace is that prayer must become a daily habit.  When we come under fire, when we are stressed, when others come against us, when we are threatened, when we are weary, we keep on praying.  The time to start praying is not after the problem, but way before, even when times are good.  Daniel was already in the habit of praying as he enjoyed a position only second to the king.  By the time that decree was issued, Daniel had already discovered that God is awesome and that he would trust Him over what those mere mortals were planning.

Powerful truth of the day: Prayer prepares us for problems. 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We admire Daniel!  No wonder his name means “courage”.  It takes guts to keep on praying when you know you’re going to be punished.  But it would be worse to turn away from the very means that has brought peace, joy, hope, and guidance into our lives.  May we always stay true to You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Before We Even Pray~

Isaiah 65:24 I will answer them before they even call to Me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

By no means am I consistent at journaling, but there have been seasons in my life where I have found it helpful to write things down.  This morning, as it dawned on me that Jorgie and Lis will be married two years this Sunday, I picked up an old notebook and read about what I was thinking at that point in my life.   Something my Pastor Bill said really encouraged me:     

“Responsibility is my response to God’s ability.”

The entire Bible is one glorious testimony to God’s unfathomable abilities, one of which is answering our prayers before we even call out to Him.

Long before I ever prayed for Jorgie to be married – it’s kind of hard to think in those terms when your son is still in a diaper – God was shaking things up and moving things around so that he and Lis would meet on one glorious August day.  She lived all over the world because her dad was an ambassador, but she eventually wound up living 10-minutes away from us.  By the time I met Lis I realized that God had answered my prayers long before I prayed them by keeping her safe and sound for Jorgie and vice/versa. 

The same could be said of my relationship with Jorge.  How is it that I, who lived in Georgia, would move to Miami, and because of an invitation from my sister’s co-worker, attend a little 40-member church in Hialeah where Jorge played the tambourine in a Christian band?   I was 17 when I met him, and marriage was the furthest thing from my mind.

And I have shared Rayray’s story.  She went off to coach volleyball at a local school and was asked to coach a club team where she was promptly assigned to be her now-husband’s assistant because there were not enough girls for her to have her own team.   The rest is history…

So many millions of details, so many I didn’t even think to pray of.  But as God’s children, He will always have our back.  He will cover us in so many areas where we are not even aware of the need yet.  I know that one day we will marvel at all the things He did for us that we never found out about and never prayed about. 

So what is our responsibility? Our response to His ability?  It is praising Him! It is sharing the good news with others! And it is praying to the One whose abilities are infinite!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We feel so completely covered by Your love for us.  You do so much every day to get us where we need to go.  Our life is in Your hands.  It is incredible to think that before we even pray for something that is on our hearts, You have already answered.  We say Thank you!  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~

Stay in the Game~

Thursday greetings,

A little footnote to Tuesday’s DEVO. 

The reason why the king experienced only partial victory is not because he stopped striking the ground.  It is because he was apathetic in his approach.  If he would have been physically, mentally, and/or emotionally unable to go one more time, God would never have been angry with him.  That is not how God works.  But God does want us to give it our all. 

Rather than focus on how God expects something from us, I think we should marvel at how incredible it is that God allows us to participate.  Psalm 8: 3-4 “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you set in place—what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?”

And yet, God does think about us, does care about us.  So much so that He values our input.  Have you ever heard the expression, “Prayer is a game changer?”  Why is that? Because the effort we put forth has a direct bearing on the outcome.  God invites us to get in the game, and the gravity of this has enormous consequences.  Stormie Omartian says that “we don’t have to watch helplessly from the sidelines as our children make decisions.  We can get in the game through prayer.”  This applies to everything, dear people.  We can get in the game and we must stay in the game until we have victory.  Is there something you have been praying about a long time?  Something you prayed for a long time ago and gave up on?  Please be encouraged to stay in the game or get back in the game today.  It is your privilege, it is powerful, God is on your side, and victory is yours.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Today some of us pray for renewed strength to stay in the game, and some of us pray for renewed courage to get back in.  Help us keep our focus on you and not on all the distractions around us as we trust You for victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen~  

Don't Stop!

2 Kings 13:15-19 Elisha said to the King of Israel, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. 

“Take the bow in your hands. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”  Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped.  The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”

Greetings all you beautiful creatures! 

Based on the passage above, today we are going to pray one long prayer.

Ready?

Dear Lord, So many times we are like this king.  We pray a few times, but then we stop.  We quit. We give up.  We forfeit so many answers and so many victories because we cease “striking the ground.”  Elisha knew that however many times the king struck the ground would be the number of times victory would be granted over his enemies.  But it was up to the king, just like it is up to us, how often we will strike.  The king’s approach was lackluster and halfhearted.  So much was at stake.  You were willing to give so much – to send so much power – to grant complete victory – and it was a wasted opportunity.  Yes, You are good and will still answer us, but precious Lord, we want all the answers You are willing to give, not just some.  And we know that part of it has to do with us.  Will we pray? Will we hang in there?  Will we be persistent?  Will we persevere?  The king was given divine direction and should have kept at it until told to stop, or at least done it twice as much as he should have.  He forfeited complete victory, but we will not.  We will show you that we have the necessary gusto to receive all Your promises.  Bless us today, in Jesus’ name, and strengthen us to keep going.  Amen!

An About-face~

A few interesting footnotes to this passage in Daniel.

Nebuchadnezzar, the very one who made the statue and demanded it be worshipped, now has a different opinion.  He witnessed a miracle and immediately recognized the Most High God at work.  Others witnessed it as well.  They saw with their own eyes that the fire had not harmed them and that there was not even the smell of fire on them.  Can you imagine all those folks gathered around sniffing these guys? 

What results when we are confident in our faith, spend time with Jesus during our trial, and emerge victorious?      

Daniel 3:28-30 “Then Nebuchadnezzar said, ‘Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has rescued His servants! They trusted in Him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.  Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way.’ Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”

Even the worst of the worst recognize that God is worthy to be praised when He shows up, does His thing, and rescues us.  There’s no denying that “no other god can save” in the way we need to be saved.  Others around us marvel at what God does in our lives and maybe, just maybe, that’s the push they need to invite Christ into their lives.  I have seen firsthand how God has saved marriages, restored health, brought babies to infertile couples, brought love into lonely lives, brought peace where only torment had existed, brought joy where depression abounded, brought financial miracles just in time, and supernaturally protected children from accidents, and it has bolstered my faith like nothing else!

And while I wouldn’t go as far as decreeing that “people be cut into pieces” if they say anything against God, I won’t allow anyone in my presence to take His name in vain or be disrespectful.  God is just too loving, too awesome, and too beautiful to me for me to be in that kind of atmosphere. 

Last but not least, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted by the very king who tried to kill them.  Talk about an about-face!  God takes the thing that had us freaked out and struggling in the first place and turns it around to be a source of blessing.  Amen!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that we get blessed and so do others when You show up and save us.  You are worthy to be praised, and Your name is sacred.  Glory to Your name, and we invite You to pour our Your strength, joy, health, provision, and peace into us and our families.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Out of the Fire~

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego are still very much on our hearts as heroes of faith!  They refused to worship a man-made statue and did not flinch even though they were threatened with death.  They said they would trust God no matter what.  Into a hot furnace they went, but it was so encouraging to read that Jesus showed up in the fire!   

But the story of these three faithful men does not end there.

Daniel 3:26-27 “Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”

Powerful truth of the day: YOU WILL COME OUT OF THE FIRE!!!!

Happy dance time! 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that there is an exit to our trial.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!