The Relatable God

Nothing like reading Abba’s word with the dew mist of the morning while the birds are chirping.  As I am just enjoying the freshness of it all with a cup of coffee, my heart has become warm with this thought as I read the book of Hebrews:

We serve a relatable God

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers, and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.

Hebrews 4:15

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testing we do, yet he did not sin.

Think about that…God himself made himself in every respect like us.  He took on the wretched flesh so he could understand all our weaknesses that produce the merciful, compassionate, patience Abba we serve.  Selah

Let get even deeper with this thought.  God can relate to grief, anger, disappointment, betrayal, lust, frustration, abandonment, being alone, struggling to do purpose, shame, mocked, being loved one minute and hated the next.  There is truly nothing that we go through here on earth the Abba has not. Nothing!!

So, the question becomes why do we act like he can’t relate? Could it be a matter of trust?  Selah

Hebrews also highlights trusting God.  Within the book we enjoy the faith hall of fame in chapter eleven. Yet I find myself with a heart check based on chapter two verse two which says “For this good news-that God has prepared this rest-has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith (trust) of those who listened to God.”

May we hold firmly to this, our God is a relatable God, and we can go to him about anything. In return he can make our weakness strong when we trust in him.

Reach Out to Abba's Hand

 

Remember the excitement as a child you had in learning how to ride a back.  The thrill in my voice saying, “come on dad.”  Oh, what a blessing it is to have wonderful childhood memories.  Yet I also remember the thrill left when I fell from my bike when trying to learn how to balance myself.  Dad was not to far behind.  He held out his hand and helped me get back up, dust myself off and try again.  Because of that fall, I was apprehensive.  Yet knowing my dad had been right there encouraged me to try again until I was able to say, “look dad, I’m doing it.”  Joy came all over again as if that fall never happened.

 

Mark 9:27

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet and he stood up.

 

In this chapter, Jesus delivered the man’s son from the demonic.  The crowd thought he was dead, but Jesus took the son by his hand and the boy stood up.   Yet this scripture stood out to me in a special way.  Do you see it?  Jesus held out his hand and helped him to his feet as he went to stand up.

Jesus held out his hand and helped…then what happened, the boy stood up!

Jesus held out his hand and helped…then what happened, the boy stood up!

Selah

It comforting to know that our Abba just like my dad did that day with learning how to ride a bike; held out his hand towards me to help:

When I’m down

When I’m frustrated

When I’m in doubt

He’s there to help and not only help but allows me to stand in Him.

Selah

So, I encourage you today, grab Abba by the hand in whatever you are going through.  Let him help and before you know it, you will be standing along with Him.

At The Right TIme

 

There we were driving home when my late husband said to me “pack your bag, as we’re going away for the weekend.”  Of course, I respond with “where are we going?”  He goes “Philadelphia.”  I continue my response with “Philadelphia, what’s in Philadelphia?"  He says, “You’ll see.”  We came home and I packed a bag but still in suspense.

Now here we were in Philadelphia, checking into the hotel.  I am still at this point not knowing why we are here.  Being inpatient with my questioning, my late husband states “when the time is right, I will let you know.”  That is exactly what happened. We had a nice date day at a restaurant but when the evening came, he then told me we were going to see Boney James, our favorite jazz artist.  Now my suspense turned into excitement.  When the time was right, I got my answer to why we did this trip to Philly.

That’s just how we are with Abba, aren’t we?  We all have those moments with God when we want to know the why or the details of something new.  We can even display impatience with Him, as He just doesn’t seem to be answering when we want Him to or on our timetable.  Then Abba in his mercy opened my eyes to this revelation.

Romans 5:6 (NLT)

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Did you catch it? At the right time. My eyes were open to see even his plan to die on the cross for you and I had to happen at the right time.  Selah

So, if you are in a season like me, waiting on the Lord to show you the next chapter and all you’ve been hearing is some crickets 😊 Remember at the right time he showed his love by dying on the cross for us.  So, at the right time He will reveal to us what we are waiting on Him for.  In the meantime, enjoy being in Him until that right time comes.

Be encouraged.

 

 

 

Day-to-Day

A sickness, a lost, or even a desire; it’s during those times we know how to diligently seek God.  Oh, there is no problem with us fasting, praying, or getting into His Word for those moments.  Yet how are we with God when it comes to our day-to-day affairs? 

Selah

Jehoshaphat started out as a good King of Israel. At the beginning of his reign, he was a bold follower of God who experienced victories.  When challenges arose, He turned to God for guidance and made the right choices.  Such statements like “First, we should seek the word of Adonai” one would think would be the most valuable lesson from us to follow from his life.  Yet it is not.

As time went on, we will find a hidden gem within his story.  He didn’t have a problem believing God for any obstacles, but didn’t think to depend on Him for his day-to-day.  By not acknowledging God in his everyday affairs, he ended up making a mistake that appeared good on paper when his son married Athaliah who was the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel.  He thought his alliance with Ahab would do him well, but instead it was used to be his downfall.

When was the last time you said things like Lord should I take this job?  How do you feel about me dating this person?  Are you alright with the way I am handling my finances?  Many times we just ask God to bless what we already set out to do instead of seeking him first.  We don’t even stop to realize in doing so, that can cost us.  I know I have done this myself.  I wanted God to just bless the pursuit of me becoming a nurse.  I never asked Him was that the right path for me to take in the beginning. As a result, it cost me time and money.

God wants us to give him our daily, not just major decisions that has stricken our lives.  How foolish of us to even think we can control the “easy days” without him!  Let us learn this more esteemed lesson from Jehoshaphat by not only giving God our challenges, but also including him into our day-to-day.

 

References:  Life Application Bible

 

 

Why Did This Happen?

It’s interesting to find that this isn’t the first time this question arose in one’s heart.  Habakkuk found himself asking a similar question to God during a time when Babylon was becoming the dominant world power and Judah feeling their destructive force.

His question: why evil people prosper while the righteous suffer?

Habakkuk 1:3

Why do you make me see wrongdoing, why do you permit oppression?

Habakkuk 1:13

…why are you silent when evil people swallow up those mor than righteous than they?

Habakkuk had relationship with God, which is why he felt comfortable asking him such questions.  It shows that God doesn’t mind us asking him such things.  In fact, he wants us to share our doubts and struggles with him.

Does God answers Habakkuk?

Habakkuk 2:4

Look at the proud: he is inwardly not upright, but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness.

Habakkuk 2:5

…the arrogant will not live at peace but keeps expanding his desires like Shol; like death, he can never be satisfied; he keeps collecting all the nations for himself. Rallying to himself all the peoples.

The chapter goes on with woe unto him.  The answer was they don’t prosper in the long run.

 

There are various emotions in the atmosphere due to the results of the election.  Some of happy, some are upset, and some have just lost all hope.  Others may be asking why or even questioning God in all of this. 

Yet Habakkuk shows us something deeper to view.

Could it be we are viewing this from our own limitations in contrast to God’s unlimited control of the world and events like Habakkuk was doing?  Yes, this is all very confusing, and the questions are all valid.  Yet we cannot see all that God is doing. We cannot even see all that He will do.

Could it be he can use this to turn your heart more towards him, making you realize you can’t do it all in our own strength after all.  Somethings are just a mystery when it comes to Abba.  I would like to figure out how millions of people can be praying at every same time, and yet He makes each one feels like they personally have his attention.   That is what makes him sovereign. We can yet rest assured that he is God and will do what is right.  We must trust the wisdom of his timing! Knowing this should bring us to the confidence and hope we have in him in such a time as this!

 

Be Encouraged.

 

Reference:  Life Application Bible.

 

God Behind the Scenes…

 

This widow journey can be described as a rollercoaster ride. So many up and downs along the road of adjustments. The most recent street I find myself encountering is a street called uncertainty. It’s been four years now since my husband has went home and through it all God has shown me time and time again how much He can sustain me!

Although I have watched God part my own Red Seas, I yet find myself feeling the weariness of uncertainty. Questions like what would hubby have us do or what should I do now has been ponding louder and louder lately.  Then here comes the “what if.”  What if I do this and it be the wrong decision. What if I must do something that I really don’t want to do in order to feel like I’m surviving.  I notice something when I do this, it causes me to focus on self and the temporal instead of God and the eternal. Instead of peace and wisdom, I feel fear and worry. Yet didn’t He ask can worry add a day to your life? (Luke 12:25).

Selah

So, while making a left from the street called uncertainty, I found myself on an avenue called how long.  Abba I asked you what is next for me, how long will it be before you answer me?  Abba I asked can you give me an idea when this will happen, how long before you answer me?   Abba, do you see what is going on with me, why are you feeling so silent? How long? Has anyone else found themselves on this avenue 😊

Two words:  even now!

Exodus 13:17-18

17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.

 

Did you catch that…God sent them the roundabout way for their own protection. It may not have felt that way, but that was his purpose behind the scenes. Maybe you are feeling like me.  God where are you? God why aren’t you answering me directly on this? God how long? God why you telling me to go this way?

 

 I was reminded through these scriptures that it just maybe he is protecting me behind the scenes and desire for me to say even now I trust Him! May we continue to trust Him!

 

 

 

Adonai’s Acts of Grace

 

Psalms 89:11

I will sing about Adonai acts of grace forever, with my mouth proclaim your faithfulness to all generations.

 

Grace- underserved favor

Do you ever stop for a minute and marinate on God’s grace?  His acts of grace are all around us.  The beautiful sunrise in the weary hours of the morning to start our day.  The moment you get that call saying your got your dream job.  When you needed something that you kept to yourself, and He touches someone’s heart to give that every thing you needed.  All acts of grace.

 

Yet let’s dive even deeper…

 

While we were yet sinners He died for us-an act of grace.

Bearing our shame-an act of grace.

Salvation as a gift due to the shedding of his blood-an act of grace.

Intimacy with Abba-an act of grace.

 

May we show acts of grace towards one another as our Father shows acts of grace towards us!