God Is Mindful of You

And Mary said: 
“My soul glorifies the Lord 
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
for he has been mindful 
   of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
   holy is his name. 
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
   from generation to generation.

Luke 1:46-50

As Christmas approaches it is time to remember that Jesus came as a child. As we read these verses of Mary's praise we are reminded of the awesome truth that God is and has been mindful of us. 

What state are you in? Maybe things are going well, or, maybe things are not going so well for you. God knows. Remember Jesus came to save us from our sins and to bring us back into right relationship with our Creator, our God, with our Father. He didn't come the easy way, he came as a child. 

Thank you, Father, for being mindful of us. Help us to praise you, trust you, and serve you today. 

The Lord Will Fight for You

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:13-14 NIV

This is a great chapter for a lot of reason. One is that God will fight for us as we stand firm. We don't need to be afraid because God will go before us and as the Israelites would see, God will stand guard behind us too. 

I also find it interesting that Moses told them to stand firm then he cried out to the Lord and the told asked him, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on?" Then the Lord sends them through the sea. If I put myself in Moses' place I don't think taking a short cut through the sea would be my plan. He probably thought God would just wipe out the Egyptians right there, that's why he told them to stand firm and they would see the deliverance of the Lord. 

Sometimes our deliverance takes us through a route we couldn't even conceive. We might have to walk through the sea to get to where God wants us to be. If I was an Israelite and I was backed into a corner, then sent into the sea, and the sea is standing up on both sides of me, I would kind of be in shock, awe and maybe a bit afraid. I just would of never thought of that as being a possible deliverance. 

What's the lesson for us? Stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord. Don't be surprised if deliverance leads you down a path you never would of thought of. But, trust him to deliver you. 

Wake Up, Finish Up.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

   These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Revelation 3:1-3 NIV

Sometimes we don't need to be reminded that Jesus loves us or that God will work out everything for our good. We don't need to sit around until a nice warm-fuzzy hits us and we decide it's time to do something for Jesus. We just need to remember, he's not done and neither are we. The angel tells the church at Sardis, "I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." Finish. 

Down deep inside you alone know what's going on. You know what you are supposed to do. Now listen. I'm not one of those people who believe everybody should be a missionary to the other side of the world (because then we'd just all be swapping places). But I do believe that you grow where you are planted. Where does God have you? Who does God have in your life? Finish living for Jesus where he has you. 

Somebody tell me what God wants them to finish...

From Strength to Strength or Tears to Blessings

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
   whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
   they make it a place of springs;
   the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
   till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalms 84:5-7 NIV

Sometimes we refer to the valleys and mountain top experiences of our lives. I think it's easy to get caught up in the idea of somethings wrong if we are in a "valley". That's what encourages me in these verses: It's not about valleys and mountain tops, it's about finding your strength in the source of strength, God. 

Notice that it says "from strength to strength", not from mountain top to mountain top. What is important is to know our strength is in Christ. In verse 6 the Valley of Baca can mean the Valley of Tears. Interesting word picture. Sometimes the battle is tough, and even brings us to a point of tears. The psalmist proclaims that even in the valley, when we make God our strength, we make a valley of tears into a valley of pools or blessings!

What this leads me to do is ask myself if I am trying to get to a mountain top or to my strength which is found in God alone. These verses exhort me to look to God to be my strength. I encourage you to remember that God is your strength not matter where you are and he will turn your tears into blessings.