December 17 2018

Promise of the Lord

Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:4

The Lord promised the house of Jacob, the remnant of Israel that he would carry them, bear them and deliver them, even into their old age.  
The Lord wants you to know that today as well.  
It doesn’t matter what season you are in, the Lord is carrying you. 
It doesn’t matter the situation you find yourself in the Lord is carrying you. 
It doesn’t matter if you feel you are being carried or not, the Lord is carrying you.  
It is not about us.  
It is about the promise of the Lord.  
Hold on tight to that today!

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December 16 2018

Joy

Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Psalm 30:11-12

It’s the season of “peace on earth”, “goodwill to men”. 
It’s the season of love, joy and peace and all things sparkly and beautiful. 
But for those who have or are enduring lose or are in a season of weeping, the season can be one of mixed emotions and feelings of guilt for not “participating” as others are, combined with feelings of feeling isolated or left out.  
We must be sensitive to the seasons of those around us, encouraging others to be real in what they are experiencing while reminding them of the hope of the season. 
Jesus ultimately brings hope.  
Hope for eternal relationship with the Lord. 
Hope for comfort.  
Hope for the “joy that comes in the morning” and for the time when our “mourning is turned into dancing.” 
In the meantime, take the time to help those around you who are in loss or weeping seasons, to find small joys in the simple things this Christmas.

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December 15 2018

Hiding among the Equipment

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen. When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was  chosen. And Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they sought him, he could not be found. Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD answered, “There he is, hidden among the equipment.” So they ran and brought him from there; and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward. And Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?” So all the people shouted and said, “Long live the king!”
2 Samuel 10:20-24

Samuel had come to crown Saul the King of Israel.  
He was chosen of God to be placed in this prominent position.  
And he knew this was coming, as Samuel had already met with him privately and anointed him with oil in preparation for this day. 
And yet, where was Saul?  
He was hiding among the equipment. 
He may have been chosen, he may have been anointed, but he was unsure of his qualification, ability or willingness to take on this position.  
Are you hiding among the equipment today? 
Has God called you to something and anointed you for something?  
Has He already called you aside privately in preparation for the day that is coming?  
Are you ready?  Or are you like Saul, hiding from what you are unsure of?  
It is ok to be unsure.  
It is ok to have questions.  
It is ok to feel a bit unprepared.  
But it is important to know, if God called you to it, He will equip you for it.  
It is time to step out into your destiny and purpose with boldness and grace, trusting that the Lord will guide and direct your steps, even as He has called you. 
It is that time of year when we begin thinking about the New Year ahead, the things we want to accomplish and the changes we want to make.  
Today is the day to begin considering what it is that you have been purposed to do and ask yourself the very real question,
 “Am I hiding among the equipment?”

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