Fear of God
29 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Reading through Exodus 20. It has been 3 months since the Israelites have left Egypt. Moses continues to commune with God up on Mount Sinai. I love how they talk. God communing with man. He is so relational. And yet He is so holy! The Israelites agreed to take part in the covenant that God had proposed. They were to wash their clothes and be ready on the third day. No one was allowed to go up the mountain or even touch the foot of it. Whoever touched it would be put to death. Only when the ram’s horn sounded a long blast may they go up on the mountain. (Exodus 19:1-15)
Now I want you to imagine these next verses that you are about to read. Exodus 19:16-21
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the LORD descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him. The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain.
Can you imagine sitting in the camp waiting for the presence of God on the third day? Your clothes have been washed, you have been consecrated. This meeting with God is real and it is serious. He makes sure they know not to even touch the mountain. He sets a limit around the mountain. If you go beyond it, you die. They begin to hear thunder and see lightening on the third day in the morning. A thick cloud comes over the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast.
I love how He seemed to establish His power with them at first. Parting the Red Sea took some strength. Then He provided food gently every morning as it lay on the grass like dew. He was very attentive to their needs and their complaints. And then they see Him for the first time as one holy God. He is the great “I AM” just as He told Moses, He now displays with power and authority what that means. They had lived around a lot of false gods in Egypt, but this was no false god that they encountered that day at Mt. Sinai. He had to establish the fear of God in them. Why? It says in 20:20, that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.
What a thought Lord that you displayed your power and holiness to place the fear of you so deep in their hearts and minds. Lord God place that fear within us. Not fear of death but fear of living without your presence. God, we need you. We are desperate for you. I pray that the sin that so easily entangles us will be cut loose by your power and strength. Thank you Lord for your righteousness and that no one can come near you without the blood of your Son, Jesus. It is only by His blood that we are worthy. Thank you Lord that one day we will see you face to face. Until then, may we climb up on that mountain of faith and keep communing with you.
the Lord your God
26 Jan 2011 1 Comment
I’m just now into Exodus 16 and I’m overwhelmed at the miracles the Lord has performed. The Israelites have just passed through the Red Sea on dry ground. But even before that the Lord sent Moses to set them free from captivity. The Lord sent plagues and He revealed that He is the great “I AM.”
After each miraculous thing that happens and even when the Israelites are grumbling wanting to die, drink water or eat, the Lord seems to have one specific purpose. He proves Himself over and over saying, “Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.”
Look, He would have had me back there at the Red Sea. I fear I would have drowned for standing there just staring in amazement that the waters had split and I was crossing through. Plain and simple, God made a way! How many times does He say to us, “Then (name), you will know that I am the LORD your God.” How much does He have to do in our lives to prove that He is the LORD your God?
My prayer is that we will take time today and reflect on all that He has done in our lives. May we not sit around and whine and complain for Him to do more. But praise Him for what He has done and all that He is going to do! May we humble ourselves before this Mighty King and give Him the worship that is due to Him. He is Jehovah-Jireh. He is our Provider. He provided a way out of captivity through His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank Him for salvation. Thank Him for His grace that we DO NOT deserve.
Day 21..The Journey is over but maybe it has just begun…
24 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
I honestly hate for it to end. Even today my flesh is still at rest. The cravings have subsided and all is well with my soul. This journey will certainly set the stage for this year. In 21 days, God led us out of our church into another. He has answered prayers that I have been praying for over 18 years. I can’t even begin to give Him enough glory through these words. But I praise Him for everything great and everything small that He has done. He is the great Orchestrator of circumstances. Our lives are like a symphony and as the conductor lifts the wand for each instrument to play to make the music blend in harmony, is the same way the Lord sets His will in place. May we keep our eyes on Him and our hearts in tune with Him.
Heard a great song on Pandora this am. If you have been waiting on the Lord to act on your behalf, then this will bless your soul! He is ALWAYS on time! He\’s an on time God
Day 20
22 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Another snow day and I had to go to work. Not much will keep a woman from getting her hair done! Rain, snow, sleet, or hail they will come! The roads were a sheet of ice which proved the reason of sliding right past the stop sign onto the highway. Had my eldest with me and thank the Lord no one was coming.
Today I have many mixed emotions. Sad that the Daniel fast is almost over. At times I wish it could last all year and then my stomach and flesh would beg to differ. Lots of circumstances have been up and down but the one thing that has stayed consistent is the Lord. It was near the beginning of the fast that the Lord called our family to visit another church here in the area. Part of the fast was for that very reason. To seek the Lord and His will for our family. I have felt for some time that the Lord was up to something. Just didn’t know it would contain leaving our church to go to another. Quite frankly, it is easy to be comfortable in the same church after four and a half years.
Visually, I can compare it to being in a boat, and the waves begin to pick up. Before you know it, you are clinging to the side of the boat holding on for dear life. But then a big enough wave comes crashing down and you find yourself outside the boat in the water. Sometimes that’s exactly how the Lord rocks our ‘boats’ of comfort. It really is a time that you have to rely on Him to guide you. The family gets to watch their earthly father being led by his heavenly Father. We are excited for what the Lord has in store. It’s a time of relying on the Lord which happens to be one of my favorite things in life. Like an excited child at Christmas, I’am jumping up and down wondering what the Father has next.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart. but it is the LORD’S purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)
Day Eighteen
20 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Good Morning! Almost nearing the end of the 21 day fast. The Lord continues to move in mighty ways. I’m in awe of Him. I promise you, when you seek Him you will find Him! He does not hide from you. I believe He anxiously awaits when we set aside time to meet with Him. I’m very visual and most times when I pray on my knees, I lay my head against the back of the chair as if it were His chest I’m laying my head on. He is Abba Father and I love leaning against my Father’s chest to talk to Him. Might sound weird to you but I encourage you to try it sometime. :)
Heard a song yesterday and I’m posting it here. Let’s be bold and ask the Lord to open the floodgates of Heaven. He is so good!!!
Day Fifteen
18 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Received great news today! My friends Mom that had been diagnosed with leukemia is now being sent home without hospice care! The Dr’s gave her a great report and we thank the Lord that He is Jehovah-Rapha. The Lord is our Healer.
Praying for a week wrapped in the Lord’s strength, power, and protection. Very thankful that nothing is too hard for the Lord!!
Day Fourteen
16 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
I had to skip Day thirteen on the blog because Fourteen is so full of things to say!!
I woke up early this morning. Felt such a burden and defeat in my spirit as soon as my eyes opened. After beating myself up with thoughts and reflections of things gone wrong, I decided I better get up and get with the Lord. I told Him that I was sorry for failing Him. But know matter how many times I fail Him, He never fails me. I began to flip through the pages of Scripture and look for the verses I had highlighted before.
Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Psalm 25:11 For the sake of your name, O LORD, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
Psalm 25:17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied: free me from my anguish.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalm 55:22 Cast all your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.
There is nothing for the soul when it is in turmoil than to get on your knees and lean into the Father. Then to take the Word and apply it like medicine to a wound. Our family is being called to take a step of faith. And in ways it is scary. We are being called to get out of the boat and walk towards the Lord. To focus on Him and Him alone. At the end of the fast I will testify to what the Lord is up to.
I went into the bathroom to get ready this morning after my time spent with the Lord. I had my cell phone plugged in charging. As soon as I walked into the room, a text was being received. A sister in Christ had sent an encouraging word out of the blue! I smiled and thanked the Lord that He had ordained it. A message sent to me by His leading. I’am overwhelmed by Him. So thankful that He took the time to send me a text via a friend. Praying today that if and when you experience a heavy heart, that you will take it to the Lord in prayer. He promises that when you draw near to him, he will draw near to you. Draw near my friend, draw near to the Living Water.
Day Eleven and Twelve
16 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Today we went grocery shopping and I overheard a man talking to his friend in the aisle and they were discussing how to get out of DUI’s. The one man informed the other that he had just gotten out of prison. My ears perked up and I thought we need to get on out of here. I told my eldest daughter about it and for the most part I acted like the man had leprosy. By the time I found the rest of my family at the checkout I saw the recently out of prison prisoner there. I did that look with my eyes that danger was beside us. I was thankful my husband was there with us!
Do you know what is sad? I looked at him for about a second and felt sorry for him. But I never went up to him and asked him to come to church. I did not think one thing about sharing the Gospel with him. After all he was a “prisoner.” I stood there a redeemed child of God, once a “prisoner” to many sins, and did not walk over and share what could set him free ultimately. Lord God forgive me. I pray for that man that someone with great faith and courage will indeed share the Good News of Jesus Christ with him.
Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV) says this,
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Thank you Lord that you can take ashes and turn them into beauty. Thank you Lord that there is freedom for the captives. Thank you Lord that you release the prisoners from darkness. Thank you Lord that you comfort those who mourn. Thank you Lord for teaching me a very valuable lesson in the aisle of Walmart today.
Day Ten
14 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Went back to work today. I love the ministry of hair. It seems to be the gateway to the heart and soul. We talk about our root issues, pray with one another, preach to one another, cry with one another and laugh with one another. Many hurting hearts sit in the chair. I realized a couple of years ago that the Lord had called me to ministry. I thought I was suppose to work at our church in the youth, be on a writing team, somewhere in the church is where God had surely called me. No, it was standing behind a chair with women’s pride and glory in my hands. He would use the hair to get them there and then the rest was up to Him. With each new client I wonder if it is for me or for them. God always has a purpose.
The Lord meets us where we are in the everyday of life. I don’t have to climb high up on a mountain to experience His presence. He is always there in the most unexpected places and unexpected times. Each day is filled with anticipation. I look for Him wondering what Abba Father is going to do next. He never sleeps so His holy, perfect, and pleasing will is always at work.
I pray you won’t miss Him today. I pray that He reveal Himself to you in ways that only you would understand. Sometimes no one else gets it, do they? That’s because it wasn’t meant for them, it was only meant for you!
Ephesians 1:17-21 (NIV)
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
Day Nine
12 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
Had no idea what to journal about today. Another snow day and pretty much uneventful. I have had 5 days off and I’m so thankful for a little retreat with the kiddos.
Today I thought it would be insightful to read about Jesus and when He fasted. Chapter 4:1-11, gives the account. I noticed when the devil tempted Jesus he would begin the sentence with the word, “If.”
It made me think of how many times the devil has used the word “If” in my life. He has begun many pity parties with the word “If.” Many discouraging thoughts that began with the word “If.” It is really easy to journey down the road of “Ifs.”
I’m so very thankful that the Lord gave us the key to fighting the word “If.” And that is the Word of God! For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
What a powerful verse! What a powerful weapon! Jesus used the Word of God to fight the devil when He was tempted. I pray that we will learn to fight the same way. It’s the only way!
