tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90726552564984826742024-03-20T23:57:19.660-04:00Joy's JazzJoy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-46527604565776272242021-09-20T11:24:00.002-04:002021-09-20T11:24:48.541-04:00Speed bumps!<p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkaGhRb2SmdkMXOsQA4ukS5uQOjN56iYJQO1hxWRw7zjKe8Gn0Y6z4MfmGG8bRtT5ZBkbrfDz8czaY-WqpR0i5q4qbwlcM38zIlojLggNEhQ6sZxQzcF0pV-aFo59UqT6DO2qZJbTaDA/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1404" data-original-width="1869" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkaGhRb2SmdkMXOsQA4ukS5uQOjN56iYJQO1hxWRw7zjKe8Gn0Y6z4MfmGG8bRtT5ZBkbrfDz8czaY-WqpR0i5q4qbwlcM38zIlojLggNEhQ6sZxQzcF0pV-aFo59UqT6DO2qZJbTaDA/w299-h180/Spd+Bump+edited.jpg" width="299" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Our neighborhood Target is remodeling and has parked dozens of semi truck containers across the drive from the store. In what I’m sure is an effort to keep the construction workers safe, they also installed a larger than normal speed bump on the entryway into the parking lot. They put up a stop sign on either side to make sure you cross the speed bump at a very slow speed otherwise you risk damaging your car. Yes, it’s that big!</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">My first trip over the bump included displeasure and strained credulity (look it up!) over the necessity of the mountain in my path. It rattled all the loose items in my van! I now go out of my way to avoid that speed bump! I know there is a purpose for these instruments of torture, I mean, traffic calming measures (really?). Here is what the Automobile Association says: “Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps are designed to slow traffic down and are usually used in residential or busy pedestrian areas. Successful speed limits should be self-enforcing through both good road design and clear signs. Traffic calming measures like humps and bumps can help enforce lower speed limits.” Needless to say, I’m not the only driver avoiding the main, direct entry to the store’s parking lot. I guess the speed bump has achieved its purpose.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Automobile Association gives some advice for navigating those annoying speed bumps. “How should I drive over speed bumps? Slowly. Driving over speed bumps too fast can potentially cause damage to your car.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If you drive over them slowly, you shouldn’t see any damage to your car at all, but over time, regularly driving over cushions (speed bumps, traffic calming measures) can increase the wear on the inner shoulder of your tires. Take the time to check your tires every now and then.” Sound advice, don’t you think?</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">If the purpose of a speed bump is to slow us down, proceeding with caution, then there are “speed bumps” in every part of life, aren’t there? Railroad crossings, stop signs, traffic lights, posted “Rules of the pool”, dietary restraints, classroom procedures, family household rules, and on and on and on. Each speed bump is designed to keep us from doing something that could cause harm to ourselves, our lives or others. They are boundaries for living safely and wisely.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God placed a “speed bump” in Eden. Genesis 2:15- 17 “The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. 16 But the Lord God warned him, ‘You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 EXCEPT the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.’” Navigation of that speed bump - failure! All of mankind is still dealing with the damage caused by that one!</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br />Then God gave Moses and the Israelites the ten commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6 - 21 saying “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.” (Vs 6)</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall have no other gods before me. (Vs 7)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not make for yourself a carved image. (Vs 8)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (Vs 11)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Vs 12)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Honor your father and your mother. (Vs 16)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not murder. (Vs 17)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not commit adultery. (Vs 18)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not steal. (Vs 19)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not bear false witness. (Vs 20)</li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">You shall not covet. (Vs 21)</li></ol><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">For centuries these commandments (laws) have caused people to stumble. We either don’t want to follow the command (which is rebellion) or we don’t fully appreciate the consequences enough to avoid breaking them. Speed bump navigation -<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>failure each time we break a commandment.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Hundreds of years after Moses, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of a stone that causes people to stumble, a “speed bump” if you will, in Isaiah 8:14 “… a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall,” That stone is The Lord Almighty, “the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear (or reverence), he is the one you are to dread. He will be a holy place (a sacred, indestructible shelter for those who fear and trust Him).” And in the very next chapter Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus, “For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">More than seven hundred years later, Jesus was born fulfilling every one of the prophecies about his coming, including the stumbling. The religious leaders of his time questioned his teachings, his methods, and his authority to do what he did (Mark 11:27- 12:12) They tried to discredit him but in the end, they could only kill him, fulfilling yet another prophecy (Isaiah 53).</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The commandments given through Moses thousands of years ago still hold the power to bless and preserve our lives. When we keep and follow the commands, they carry the promise that when we “do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, it will go well with us” (Deuteronomy 6:18) and we will be able to do the good things God planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10) These are the actions that promote peace, rest and health.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If we could just slow down and appreciate the reason for these speed bumps, we could all find peace and quit damaging our lives because we failed to navigate the “speed bump” properly.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">After Moses taught the commandments to the Israelites he told them, “In the future your children will ask you, ‘What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the Lord our God has commanded us to obey?’ 21 “Then you must tell them, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with his strong hand. 22 The Lord did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. 23 He brought us out of Egypt so he could give us this land he had sworn to give our ancestors. 24 And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. 25 For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the Lord our God has given us.’ Deuteronomy 6:20 - 25</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Romans 9:33 from The Message says it this way; “Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me (Jesus)! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.”</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God knows us and understands our questions of “why?”. He knows we are self-centered and lack compliance by nature. He knows we hate rules and have trouble believing His promises.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><b>The Meaning of the Stone</b></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Isaiah 28:16-17 MSG “But the Master, God, has something to say to this:</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">‘Watch closely. I’m laying a foundation in Zion, a solid granite foundation, squared and true.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">And this is the meaning of the stone: a trusting life won’t topple.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I’ll make justice the measuring stick and righteousness the plumb line for the building.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">A hailstorm will knock down the shantytown of lies, and a flash flood will wash out the rubble.’”</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God’s speed bumps have true purpose, to bring us life and not harm. His ways give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Righteousness (doing things the right way, following the rules, slowing down for the speed bumps and precautions) only comes by faith and believing in the reason for the rules. We can be doers of the rules, living in legalism, but have grumbling hearts which robs us of the joy of fulfilling the law! God wants us to know His purpose for the commands, rules, laws, boundaries - to bless us and preserve our lives. He loves us so much, He sent Jesus to be the stone that is to be found, through faith and trust, and not just an annoyance. “And the one who believes in him (Jesus) will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:33 NIV</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Isaiah 26:7 & 8 NLT “But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. 8 Lord, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.”</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I hope the next time I encounter a speed bump I’ll remember it was placed there to protect me, my car, and the people around me from harm. I might even enjoy the journey!</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;">Song: Faithful Then, Faithful Now</p><p class="p7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><span class="s1" style="text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://youtube.com/watch?v=9YexUJ2WHik&feature=share">Vertical Worship - Faithful Now (Live)</a></span></p><p class="p7" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">In case you’d like more information about Speed Bumps - Automobile Association Article: <a href="https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/speed-bumps#:~:text=Traffic%20calming%20measures%20such%20as%20speed%20bumps%20are,and%20bumps%20can%20help%20enforce%20lower%20speed%20limits"><span class="s1">https://www.theaa.com/breakdown-cover/advice/speed-bumps#:~:text=Traffic%20calming%20measures%20such%20as%20speed%20bumps%20are,and%20bumps%20can%20help%20enforce%20lower%20speed%20limits</span></a>.</p>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-51634490298968036492021-08-23T16:49:00.000-04:002021-08-23T16:49:43.528-04:00I'm Supposed to do WHAT??????<p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The story of Moses is an amazing tale of God's protection and direction. Moses, born to an enslaved Israelite family, was spared miraculously from the infanticide of male children that was being used to "control" the slave population in Egypt. Discovered floating down the Nile river by the daughter of the king of Egypt, Moses was snatched from the waters and adopted into the king's family. His mother was employed to nurture him until he was weaned and then he was given to the king's daughter to raise. As a young man, Moses killed an Egyptian who was beating one of the Israelites only to discover that the Israelite didn't appreciate his help. The king found out about the killing and tried to kill Moses, so Moses ran for the hills - literally.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He married the daughter of a Midianite priest after defending her and her six sisters from shepherds that tried to chase them from the well as they watered their flocks. (Recognizing any pattern here? Moses the defender of justice.)</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Moses seemed to be happy living in Midian working for his father-in-law.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But God saw what was happening to His people, the Israelites, in Egypt and remembered His promise to Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob. So, while Moses was tending his father-in-law's flock, God sent the angel of the Lord who appeared to Moses as a bush on fire to get his attention.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When God called to Moses from the bush, Moses answered, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:4) God declared it a holy place and told Moses "Take off your sandals, because you are standing on holy ground." (vs. 5) In this holy place, God shared His plan to use Moses to rescue His people from the torturous hands of the Egyptians.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 0px 36px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 1px;"><i>"God said, 'I've taken a good, long look at the affliction of my people in Egypt. I've heard their cries for deliverance from their slave masters; I know all about their pain. And now I have come down to help them, pry them loose from the grip of Egypt, get them out of that country and bring them to a good land with wide-open spaces, a land lush with milk and honey, the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. The Israelite cry for help has come to me, and I've seen for myself how cruelly they're being treated by the Egyptians. It's time for you to go back: I'm sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the People of Israel, out of Egypt.'" (Ex. 3:7-10 MSG)</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">It's at this point that Moses starts down the road of doubt.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"Why me?" (vs.11)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Moses makes excuses and arguments about his abilities and qualifications to be a leader. God reassures him "I will be with you." (vs. 12) He even gives Moses the promise of proof. "This will be the proof that I am sending you: After you lead the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship me on this mountain." (vs. 12) The very mountain on which Moses was having this conversation was going to be the place of worship to seal the deal!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Moses said, "Okay, I'll tell them ‘The God of your fathers sent me to you.' But what if they ask me ‘What is his name?’ Who do I say you are?" The Israelites understood who the God of their fathers is. That alone would have been enough but Moses wanted <i>stronger</i> proof.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God told him "'I AM WHO I AM' When you go to the people of Israel, tell them, 'I AM sent me to you'" (vs. 14)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>From that time on, God was to be known as I AM (vs. 15)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God even gave Moses the strategy by which to convince the people. He told Moses, "The older leaders <i>will listen to you</i>. And then you and the older leaders of Israel will go to the king of Egypt (Pharaoh) and tell him." (vs.18) God also told Moses that the king would resist and not let them leave. "Only a great power will force him to let you go, so I will strike Egypt with all the miracles that will happen in that land. After I do that, he will let you go. I will cause the Egyptians to think well of<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>the Israelites. So when you leave,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>they will give gifts to your people. Each woman should ask her Egyptian neighbor and any Egyptian woman living in her house for gifts - silver, gold, and clothing. You should put those gifts on your children when you leave Egypt. In this way you will take with you the riches of the Egyptians." (vvs 19 - 22) What an amazing promise!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Now, mind you, Moses is having this conversation with a <b>TALKING, burning bush that will not be consumed</b> and <i>still</i> he doubts. God gave Moses even more signs of proof that it was God Almighty talking to him.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Throw down the staff in your hand.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It turned into a snake and when Moses picked it back up again it turned back into a staff.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“Put your hand inside your cloak.” When Moses pulled his hand out it was leprous like snow. “Put it back into your cloak,” and when he took it out again, it was restored.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Exodus 4:1 - 7) God gave Moses a plan and an instrument, his staff to perform miraculous signs with, for proving his call to the people. God had provided everything Moses needed to carry the message of deliverance to the Israelites. But Moses said to the Lord, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” God replied “Who gave man a mouth to speak, ears to hear and eyes to see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">I guess we shouldn't be too hard on Moses. It has not been my experience to converse with a burning bush, but there have been times that I knew God was speaking to me and I had some of the same arguments with Him that Moses did.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"God, are you sure? I'm <i>really </i>not qualified."<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"What if they don't believe me or accept what I'm saying?” “Can't you use someone else?" Etc...... In reality, God told Moses I AM has come down to help His people, pry them loose, get them out and bring them to a good land.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>All God was asking Moses to do was give them and Pharaoh the message. (Ex. 3:8-10) God never expected Moses to do the rescuing, just the telling. God would do the rest! He would even help Moses and teach him what to say but Moses asked for a “pass”.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The saddest part of the story to me happens in the next verse, Exodus 4:13 “But Moses said, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Can you imagine God’s heartbreak at this response? After all God had done for Moses and all the ways He had proven that He saw, valued and prepared him, Moses says “Please send someone else.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">“Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, ‘What about your brother, Aaron the Levite?” Exodus 4:14. God didn’t change His rescue plan for the Israelites, just the messenger. Moses didn’t give up his job of carrying God’s message, just his audience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“You (Moses) shall speak to him (Aaron) and put words in his mouth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.” (Vvs 15 & 16)</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Even though they had a rocky start, God’s story of deliverance for the Israelites from Egypt went just as He said. God used Moses and Aaron to demonstrate the power of God to Pharaoh through ten plague events that only God could have orchestrated, Exodus 7 - 12.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Israelites followed the Lord’s commands given to Moses and Aaron, Exodus 12:28.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Pharaoh gladly released them “take your flocks and herds as you have said and go.” Exodus 12:31. The Egyptians gave silver, gold and clothing to the Israelites as they left, Exodus 12:35 & 36. Because they did just what the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron, “on that very day (the day of their obedience) the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt.” Exodus 12:51.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God NEVER asks us to do something that He has not already prepared the way for.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Proverbs 16:1<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“ Go ahead and make all the plans you want, but it’s the Lord who will ultimately direct your steps.”</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">He NEVER expects anything of us that He has not already prepared us for. 1 Corinthians 1:7 "Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ."</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">Proverbs 16:3 & 4 "Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed. 4 The Lord works everything together to accomplish his purpose."</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">God can be trusted to do what He says He will do - <i>especially </i>whe He asks us to help!</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">1 Corinthians 1:9 "God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wn7sn6RjoY0" width="320" youtube-src-id="wn7sn6RjoY0"></iframe></span></div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-50904370303326693802021-08-11T16:50:00.000-04:002021-08-11T16:50:05.274-04:00The Devil has been chasing me all week!<div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="text-align: left;">When I was a kid we frequently had “pop-up” testimony services at church. The leader of the service would open the floor to anyone that wanted to share and you would just “pop-up” and testify. Usually, the testimonies were encouraging and uplifting stories of God’s faithfulness and deliverance. There were stories of healing, provision and rescue from sure disaster but every now and then one of the sweet, elderly sisters of the church would stand and tell about the struggles she had faced all week. She would go on for several minutes explaining the many stumbles and hiccups she had encountered in her journey of faith and almost always end it with “the devil has been chasing me all week” which in and of itself wasn’t so bad but then she would add “Praise his holy name!”</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">Of course, we all knew who the “his” was intended to be but grammatically it refers to the devil. I have to admit that, as a child, I found it pretty funny … and sad. My mom would encourage me to try to understand the </span><i style="text-align: left;">unsaid </i><span style="text-align: left;">things this sister intended. No matter what the devil had thrown into this lady’s path, God had taken care of her “Praise His Holy name!” I still thought she was funny! What??? I was a kid!!</span></span></p></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;">As I was reading Psalm 89, I could almost hear that dear sister’s voice. According to the notes in my NIV Study Bible, this Psalm is “written by Ethan the Ezrahite as a prayer that mourns the downfall of the Davidic dynasty and pleads for its restoration.” The first thirty-seven verses recount the unfailing love of God for King David and his descendants. Verse 6 says “For who in all of heaven can compare with the Lord?” Verses 7 through 18 list the many wonders of God’s “glorious strength”(vs 17). Verses 19 through 37 rehearse the covenant and promises God made with David, “I will never stop loving him nor fail to keep my promise to him. No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said. I have sworn an oath to David and in my holiness I cannot lie: His dynasty will go on forever; his kingdom will endure as the sun. It will be as eternal as the moon, my faithful witness in the sky!” (Vs 33-37 NLT).</span></div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;">Psalm 89:38 MSG “But God, you did walk off and leave us, you lost your temper with the one you anointed.” “The bitter shock of that event (reflected partially in the sudden transition of v. 38) is almost unbearable - that God, the faithful and almighty One, has abandoned his anointed and made him the mockery of the nations, in seeming violation of his firm covenant with David - and it evokes from the psalmist a lament that borders on reproach.” NIV Study Bible notes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;">The rest of the Psalm pours out the broken heartedness of its writer in every verse (verses 38 - 51). Each verse lists another act of broken covenant, another way God has abandoned His fstborn son (vs 27).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Is it any wonder the psalmist closes the psalm with “Lord, where is your unfailing love? You promised it to David with a faithful pledge.” Psalm 89:49 NLT</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black;"><br /></span></div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="background-color: black; text-align: justify;">It sounds a bit like people who blame God for all the bad things in the world, the injustices of life and accuse Him of lying.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>“If God is unfailing love, then why…”. There is a long list of things that can be inserted after the why. They are legitimate questions EXCEPT God’s covenant with David (Psalm 89:28 TPT “I will love him forever and always show him kindness. My covenant with him will never be broken.”) has requirements or exceptions; expected behaviors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>God was clear of His expectations of David and his descendants. Psalm 89:30-32 “BUT if his children turn from me and forsake my words, refusing to walk in my truth, renouncing and violating my laws, then I will surely punish them for their sins with my stern discipline until they regret it.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Actions have consequences, yes, and we often walk through consequences of our own making. Many of David's descendants chose "to not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord his God, as their ancestor David had done" (1 Kings 16:2) and lost the favor of God. </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white;">When we choose to turn from God and forsake His word and refuse to walk in His truth, we are choosing to walk in agreement with the devil giving him permission to “chase us” with schemes and designs contrary to God’s promises over us. That is why Peter warned us in I Peter 5:8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” And Paul says in Ephesians 4:27 “Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!” The devil hates God and hates us because of God (Luke 21:17).</span></div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="background-color: black; text-align: justify;">There is another “but” in Psalm 89:33. I quoted this verse earlier omitting the “but”. This exception or “but” is an assurance that even if we turn and forsake the ways of God, (see vs 32 above) He will never stop loving us. “<span class="s1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">33 </span>BUT I will never, no never, lift my faithful love from off their lives. My kindness will prevail and I will never disown them.”</div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="background-color: black; text-align: justify;">The Psalmist ended the psalm rather abruptly “89:52 Praise the Lord forever! Amen and amen!” It almost feels like he’s saying “Ok, I’ll quit whining now.” Sometimes we just need to say what we’re feeling and hope we’ll be given grace to say it.</div></span></div><div style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: black; font-family: helvetica;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><span style="color: white; font-family: helvetica;"><div style="background-color: black; text-align: justify;">Maybe that dear saint from my childhood just needed to let us know the things she had endured and made the assumption that we would understand that what she really meant to say was “The devil has been chasing me all week but I’m still here and God is still faithful! Praise His Holy Name!” After all, God made a covenant promise with all of us and said “How could I revoke my covenant of love that I promised _______? For I have given them my word, my holy, irrevocable word. How could I lie to my loving servant _________?”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Psalm 89:34 TPT (I think it’s safe to fill in the blanks with your name!)</div></span></div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-83409290186043438202021-08-04T15:19:00.000-04:002021-08-04T15:19:43.780-04:00A Day without DeodorantHave you ever had one of those days when everything is out of sync? The alarm didn’t go off at the appointed time, the adrenaline pumps through your veins and in your hurry things get out of order. Your routine is all messed up. On those days, the possibility of forgetting something is very likely. Maybe you forget to brush your teeth – not a problem, use a breath mint! Maybe you forget to put on all your make up or shave – not a problem, pinch your cheeks for color and unshaven faces are the new “GQ”. Well, I forgot my deodorant! The realization came to me just as I was getting into the car. Now I have to decide, is it worth the risk? I can be careful of proximity to people, never get too close. I can even make sure I stay calm and collected but as a choir director, I can’t avoid raising my arms! Of course, that would be the day I dressed in clothes that would have to be completely removed to correct the error but a day without deodorant is like a day not fully clothed. What to do??? <div><br /></div><div>As I was sitting there contemplating my options, the scripture came to mind about the man who looks in the mirror and then walks away forgetting what he looks like. It somewhat implies a lack of caring about his appearance. James 1:22-24 NIV “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Listening to the Word and God’s instruction alone is insufficient to being fully “clothed”. You have to do what it says, apply the Word to your identity, actions and thinking. How many times have I told a half-truth and left it uncorrected? When was the last time I saw the sting of my words in someone’s eyes and failed to apologize? How often have I resisted an impulse or ignored what I was sure was God leading me to say or do something for someone? How many times have I believed an untruth of who I am in Christ or an accusation from the enemy of my soul rest uncorrected in my spirit? Are these not “listening to the word but not doing it?” The deceit comes when we think knowing or thinking we know what the Bible says is all it takes to count for righteousness (right doing). </div><div><br /></div><div>James 1:16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.” </div><div><br /></div><div>I wish I could say I went back in the house and added deodorant to my “clothing” that day but I honestly don’t remember. I do remember that feeling of inadequacy and doubt that follows you around when you know things aren’t completely right. We have a God-designed purpose, “a plan for good and not disaster, to give us a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. To allow anything to stand in the way of our doing or believing or agreeing with what the Word says about us is forgetting who we are IN CHRIST, his prized possession, with or without deodorant!</div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-34867284894420481012021-07-30T14:09:00.002-04:002021-07-30T14:09:50.424-04:00He Knew and did it anyway.We’ve heard it said a myriad of times “If I’d only known then what I know now…” We usually think we would have done things differently if we had had that hindsight knowledge. Maybe we would have been wiser or more cautious. Maybe we would have been more courageous and gone after that dream or taken the other job or, or, or. But if we had had that hindsight knowledge, we wouldn’t have had the same outcome to our lives. We wouldn’t be the same people we are today.
Our whole life would be completely different! <div><br /></div><div>God knows all and sees all - beginning to end. He knows the outcome before it
begins. Even with that knowledge, He allows things to take their course. </div><div><br /></div><div>God knew that </div><div> … in the garden where all was perfect – Adam and Eve would sin - Genesis 3 </div><div><br /></div><div> … at the Passover dinner when He saved them from the death angel (Exodus 12:28-30)</div><div><br /></div><div> … to take them the long way to the Promised Land around the Philistine territory because if they faced battle they might change their minds (Exodus 13:17-18) </div><div><br /></div><div> … even though He led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Exodus 13:22) - they would not trust (Deuteronomy 1: 31-33) </div><div><br /></div><div> … even though He rescued them from Pharoah’s army walking them across the Red Sea on dry land (Exodus 14) - they would accuse Him of trying to kill them ( Exodus 14:10 - 12) </div><div><br /></div><div> … as they sang a song of deliverance (Exodus 15) - they would not be satisfied (Exodus 16:1-2; Exodus 14:11; 16:3; Numbers 11:1) </div><div><br /></div><div> … when He gave them instructions for a good life in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 31:18) - they would be impatient and take things in their own hands replacing Him with their own god. (Exodus 32:1-8) </div><div> … when they became hungry for the foods of Egypt, giving them manna that rained down with the dew during the night and tasted like pastries baked in olive oil - they would complain and beg for meat. (Numbers 11:1-4) </div><div><br /></div><div> … when He answered their cry for meat by sending a wind from the sea that brought more quail than they could eat - they would become gluttons (Numbers 11:31-32) </div><div><br /></div><div> … after He showed them the wonders of the Promised Land - they would fear for their lives and plotted against Moses (Numbers 13:25-33) </div><div><br /></div><div>But it wasn’t just the Israelites that disappointed God. </div><div> … at the Passover dinner with Jesus and the disciples – He knew Judas would betray and Peter would deny Jesus (John 13:18-38) </div><div><br /></div><div>He still chose all these people to accomplish His plan and desires. He forgave their failings and restored them to His place of favor. Sometimes because they repented (Peter - Mark 14:72) and sometimes because someone was willing to stand up for them (Moses - Numbers 14:10) </div><div><br /></div><div> There are many things God knows about us and the ways we will fail Him but He chooses to love us with unfailing love (Psalm 63:3). He promises to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He calls us His treasure (Psalm 135:4), His masterpiece or handiwork created to do the good works He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). We are always on His mind (Psalm 139:17 TPT) </div><div><br /></div><div>God knows who we are - the good, bad and unacceptable parts of us - He knows our destiny and has chosen us to follow Him willingly to do what He knows we are designed to do.He calls us to follow Him knowing we will stumble, but He also knows our successes. </div><div><br /></div><div>From the very beginning to the end (Isaiah 46:10), He Knew! Search me, oh God, and know my heart! Psalm 139:23</div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0Fort Wayne, IN, USA41.079273 -85.139351312.769039163821155 -120.2956013 69.389506836178839 -49.9831013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-63002710719065049632012-07-25T13:06:00.000-04:002013-08-03T09:41:34.540-04:00Fibber McGee's Closet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<i>"Merely hearing God's law is a waste of your time if you don't do
what he commands. Doing, not hearing, is what makes the difference with
God." MSG</i> Romans 2:12-13 </div>
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You may be too young to remember Fibber McGee and Molly. So am I! I learned of this radio show turned TV show from my mother. There were days as I grew up that Mom would open our hall linen closet and say, "It's Fibber McGee's closet!" Finally one day I asked who Fibber McGee was. She laughed and told me the story of the running gag on one of her childhood favorites radio show, Fibber McGee & Molly. Everyone dreaded the hall closet on that show and every time it was opened there would be an avalanche of stuff come tumbling out! Fibber's response was usually, "I'll have to clean out that closet one of these days!"</div>
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Now I'm grown with my own hall closet and sure enough, it periodically becomes "Fibber McGee's" closet! How does that happen? The worst thing is the Fibber McGee syndrome spreads to other</div>
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closets in the house! It is HIGHLY contagious! I even hear myself saying "I'll have to clean out that</div>
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closet one of these days!" and then shut the door and walk away! The truth is when you finally get</div>
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around to cleaning those closets, it is a HUGE job. It requires more time and more space to sort and</div>
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manage than the space of the closet itself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8uF-dIUm69ecgntf5Jj3jLHsczLKhBStoKrxiUfIVT8ErF6bbyWrlK82MF1esi-21icOhKHTY_bOq9eY8fQ4sREJlrqaBITv3Zlc3HH2vZ0hKAQb5uH1Ap4kZ9YKY7m1zXc_VJfhPyk/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8uF-dIUm69ecgntf5Jj3jLHsczLKhBStoKrxiUfIVT8ErF6bbyWrlK82MF1esi-21icOhKHTY_bOq9eY8fQ4sREJlrqaBITv3Zlc3HH2vZ0hKAQb5uH1Ap4kZ9YKY7m1zXc_VJfhPyk/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" title="Closet cleaning" width="320" /></a>A couple of weeks ago, I tackled my walk-in bedroom closet that was no longer "walk-in-able"! As I moved the items to my bedroom for sorting it became very clear I had waited <i>WAY</i> too long for this job! Just look at the mess I made of my room! Can you believe all that stuff fit in a 4'X8' closet? My son even commented "What's Dad going to say?"</div>
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It took ALL day to accomplish the 'ridding out process but when I was finished, what a deep, refreshing breath I was able to take! Everything in my life seemed clear and manageable again! It was like a new lease on life!</div>
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How many times had I looked in that closet and said "I really should do something about this!" I had</div>
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crammed clothes in so tightly they were wrinkled when I took them out requiring more time to get ready to go somewhere. The shelves had NO room because the things once thought too important to trash had taken every inch of space. I was stepping on shoes that had no place on the shoe rack. Let's not even talk about the dust! It was disgraceful!</div>
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James 1:22-25 speaks of seeing things that need attention but are ignored.<i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">James1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror,</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> (or looking in your closet)</span></span><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. NLT</span></i></div>
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Matthew Henry comments on this passage saying: <span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"If we heard a sermon every day of the week, and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">an angel from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we rested in hearing only, it would never bring us to heaven. Mere hearers are self-deceivers; and self-deceit will be found the worst deceit at last. If we flatter ourselves, it is our own fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before us the corruption of our nature, the disorders of our hearts and lives; and it will tell us plainly what we are. Our sins are the spots the law discovers: Christ's blood is the</span><span style="font-size: small;"> laver (a ceremonial basin for washing) the gospel shows. But in vain do we hear God's word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away, and forget our spots, instead of washing them off; and forget our remedy, instead of applying to it. This is the case with those who do not hear the word as they ought. In hearing the word, we look into it for counsel and direction, and when we study it, it turns to our spiritual life. Those who keep in the law and word of God, are, and shall be, blessed in all their ways. His gracious recompense (payment for) hereafter, would be connected with his present peace and comfort. Every part of Divine revelation has its use, in bringing the sinner to Christ for salvation, and in directing and encouraging him to walk at liberty, by the Spirit of adoption, according to the holy commands of God. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> And mark the distinctness, it is not for his deeds, that any man is blessed, but in his deed. It is not talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven. Christ will become more precious to the believer's soul, which by his grace will become more fitted for the inheritance of the saints in light."</span></div>
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In other words, cleaning out your spiritual "Fibber McGee's closets" brings peace and liberty to your</div>
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soul! It's not that anything in my closet was 'sinful' or disgusting, it's just that the closet was neglected</div>
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and dysfunctional! I know in my heart allowing things to crowd into my life, to take up space and rob</div>
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me of energy is dangerous. Life requires focus and clarity to maintain my walk with Christ. Clutter</div>
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trips me up and can cause me to stumble if neglected. I just allow myself the excuse, "I don't have</div>
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time right now". However, I need to be more diligent to keep the "stuff" of life manageable and sorted</div>
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as I go instead of letting it all pile up. </div>
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Do I think I have all my "Fibber McGee's closets" conquered? Of course not! Even the apostle Paul knew that is impossible! He wrote in Romans 2:17-24<i> "But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. 21 It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. 24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? " MSG</i> The good news is Paul didn't leave us hopeless! He gave us help in verse 25, <i>"The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different." MSG</i></div>
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I want to be sure to keep my spiritual closets clean, organized, functional and pleasing to the Lord!</div>
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Lord, help me be righteous before God by being not only a hearer of the word, but a doer through</div>
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Christ who gives me strength. <i>"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."</i> Philippians 4:13 </div>
Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-25809282954084278352011-10-08T08:23:00.000-04:002011-10-08T08:23:30.605-04:00When absence just means "forgotten!"Blogging is just an elongated "tweet" or facebook post, right? Then, why is it that I have so much trouble having something to say worthy of a blog? Maybe it's because a comment is rarely posted on a blog and I like feedback. We used to call that - conversation! Now we text using abbreviations and "textese" (the language of text that completely ignores grammar and punctuation for the sake of 160 characters). Don't get me wrong - I LOVE being able to get in touch with someone by text. And Facebook, Google+ and Twitter are a great way to "stay in touch" with friends and family. I just miss having back and forth dialog! <br />
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Call me! Better yet, let's meet for coffee and TALK! My vocabulary is getting rusty and I'm growing tired of alphabetical exclamations!<br />
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BTW - IMY and need a good LOL!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-1224121390341893512011-06-28T09:50:00.000-04:002011-06-28T09:50:33.374-04:00A Moment In Time Can Change Everything<style>
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<div class="MsoNormal">2 Samuel 11 & 12</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a beautiful spring afternoon. The air was clear, the sun was shining and the roof was the perfect place to freshen up. Another month passes and no baby. Uriah was off to war with the king’s army. It will be a long time before her husband returns. No matter, life has a way of righting itself.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On a nearby balcony, the king, who had chosen to stay at the palace instead of going to battle with his troops, sees an unusually beautiful woman bathing on her rooftop. “Does she know I’m here? I’ve not seen such beauty! Who is this woman?” The messengers sent to inquire of her return with the news that she is Bathsheba, the daughter of a trusted friend and granddaughter of one of his advisors. She is also the wife of one of his most loyal soldiers, a member of his royal guard. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In that moment the king had the opportunity to walk away from the lust in his heart and honor the vows this woman had made to her husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But he didn’t.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A messenger was sent to the woman, calling her to the king’s chambers. She quickly responded and went immediately to the king. We don’t know the conversation but it is quite certain that the king made his wishes of her known. In that moment she had a choice to make, surrender to the king’s wishes or honor her vows to her husband.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Can you imagine what it would be like to be desired by the king? The flattery of being called to him, the honor of serving the highest authority in the land, it must have taken her breath away. Thoughts must have been turning in her head, “The king has many wives and yet, he wants me!” A blush of embarrassment and a schoolgirl’s giggle may have been the reaction. Or, had there been a devious plan on her part. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Did she know the king had not gone to war? It is most likely the whole city knew. Did she know her rooftop was in full view of the king’s balcony? Probably. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did she desire the privilege of the palace, the luxury of being one of the king’s women? Did she mean for him to see her? She went to him and slept with him and then returned home.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The moment had passed. It might have been a one-time encounter but she became pregnant. Now what? Uriah will be dishonored, the king has no obligation to her – she’s married. What can be done? The law demands death for both David and Bathsheba. Bathsheba decided to leave it up to King David sending word to him of her pregnancy and the cover up begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uriah was brought home but in his loyalty to his king and his brothers in battle, he refused to spend time with his wife. Even when the king got him drunk, Uriah was a man of honor. The only way out was to kill Uriah and marry Bathsheba. Uriah was sent to battle with the understanding on the part of his superiors that he was to be placed in the “front line where the fighting is fiercest so her will be struck down and die”. Uriah died defending his nation and his king.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">How different things would have been if in those moments of decision, David and Bathsheba had followed the laws of God known well by both of them. Because of one moment’s weakness, David, a man after God’s own heart, broke the sixth, seventh, ninth and tenth commandments*, the very law he said was his delight, (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Psalm+40%3A8&version1=48">Psalm 40:8</a>)</div><div class="MsoNormal">The opportunity for this sin may have presented itself many times but it only took one surrender to the moment to change everything.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">God in his justice, allowed David to marry Bathsheba but the baby born of their sin died. David’s heart was broken. He pleaded with God for the child’s life but God said “No.” (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=2+Samuel+12%3A15-24&version1=8">2 Samuel 12:15-24</a>)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The good news to this story is God did forgive David and Bathsheba and gave their union a son, Solomon that ruled the nation with great wisdom and was loved by God (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=2+Samuel+12%3A24&version1=8">2 Samuel 12:24</a>). Bathsheba was honored and loved by her husband and her son.</div><div class="MsoNormal">David was allowed to rule bringing his nation into the promise God had given their father Abraham. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are given “moments” everyday that will determine our futures. We have to choose to make the right choices based on God’s commandments. It would be easy to allow the words or look of flattery to turn us. We may even be putting our livelihood and futures at risk by refusing to give in to those “moments” but God’s promises NEVER fail us. When we make the right choice IN THAT MOMENT, we are secure in the promise David knew to be true:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“ <sup>73</sup> You made me; you created me.<br />
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.<br />
<sup>74</sup> May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,<br />
for I have put my hope in your word.<br />
<sup>75</sup> I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;<br />
you disciplined me because I needed it.<br />
<sup>76</sup> Now let your unfailing love comfort me,<br />
just as you promised me, your servant.<br />
<sup>77</sup> Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,<br />
for your instructions are my delight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Psalm 119:73-77</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Exodus+20%3A1-17&version1=8">*The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:13-17)</a></div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-83553409914860202892011-05-09T15:44:00.000-04:002011-05-09T15:44:49.414-04:00Just BecauseI recently received an unexpected check that had "Just because" written in the memo. It surprised me mostly because the givers have never given me a personal gift before and really have no reason or obligation to be blessing me with a gift of any kind. That is what made it even more surprising and special.<br />
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God does things like that for us all the time. He sends a cooling rain on a hot summer day, He warms the winter days with sunshine, He gives an encouraging song to the birds and smiling faces to the flowers just because He loves us.<br />
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My five year old granddaughter understands just how special she is to God. Here is her story written by her mother:<br />
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<div><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Pink Clouds</u></span></h2></div><div class="clearfix"><div class="mbs uiHeaderSubTitle lfloat fsm fwn fcg">by Piper Hawkins Koeppen</div><div class="mbs uiHeaderSubTitle lfloat fsm fwn fcg"> </div></div><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><i>I took Addison to McDonald's today and let her get a soda...I know, it's not good for her, but she was really good today and I just couldn't help it; she's my sweetheart. Later this afternoon we were driving home and she was whining about something. I finally had to say in a stern voice, "Addison, that's enough! No more whining!" Shortly after, she was still whining a bit and I decided I needed a Starbucks. She wanted a steamer, I knew I shou</i><i>ldn't get her one, she'd already had a soda AND she was being naughty....but I got her one anyway...I couldn't help it, she's my sweetheart. As we pulled away, with her steamer in hand, she whispered, "Mommy look!" I turned to see what she was pointing toward and there was the horizon with the sun beginning to set. Smiling she simply said, "See Jesus painted me pink clouds today." Right then I heard Him whisper, "I couldn't help it, she's my sweetheart."</i></div></div><br />
God has chosen you to be his own special <b>treasure</b>. (Deut. 7:6) You don't have to take my word for it. It is all through the Bible how much God loves us. We are His treasure. He keeps us safely tucked away from harm in His "treasure pouch" <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=1%20Samuel+25:29&version=51">1 Samuel 25:29</a> <br />
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God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=1+john+4%3A9&passage2=&passage3=&passage4=&passage5=&version1=51&version2=0&version3=0&version4=0&version5=0&Submit.x=46&Submit.y=7">1 John 4:9-10</a> (NLT)<br />
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<span id="goog_427205769"></span><span id="goog_427205770"></span><br />
<span id="goog_427205769">God doesn't have to do anything for us, but He does <i>just because!</i></span><br />
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<span id="goog_427205769"><i>Additional scriptures:</i></span><br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=John+3:16&version=9">John 3:16</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=John+3&version=9"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Ephesians+1:4&version=51"> Ephesians 1:4</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Ephesians+1&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.<br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Exodus+19:5&version=51"> Exodus 19:5</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Exodus+19&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special <b>treasure</b> from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+7:6&version=51"> Deuteronomy 7:6</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+7&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special <b>treasure</b>. <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+14:2&version=51"> Deuteronomy 14:2</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+14&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special <b>treasure</b>. <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+26:18&version=51"> Deuteronomy 26:18</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Deuteronomy+26&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special <b>treasure</b>, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=1%20Samuel+25:29&version=51"> 1 Samuel 25:29</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=1%20Samuel+25&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
“Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his <b>treasure</b> pouch! But the lives of your enemies will disappear like stones shot from a sling! <br />
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<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Malachi+3:17&version=51">Malachi 3:17</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Malachi+3&version=51"> (Whole Chapter)</a> <br />
“They will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special <b>treasure</b>. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-8489755614937217462011-02-08T13:43:00.000-05:002011-02-08T13:43:24.273-05:00Dusted for Fingerprints <br />
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Call me crazy, but I <i>truly</i> enjoy all the forensic based shows on television. CSI, NCIS, NCIS-LA, CSI-NY, even Bones, (we can skip Horatio from Miami!). <span> </span>My husband doesn’t understand my attraction to these shows. To him it’s all guts and gore. I don’t care for that part of the show either – when they do an inside the body scope-like journey to follow the track of the bullet or whatever. However, the mystery – the search for answers based on only the facts of the evidence is very intriguing to me. It is amazing the equipment that has been developed to determine chemical compounds and fiber matches. They have machines that can break down fluids into a number of chemicals; they have scopes and databases to tell the exact car a fiber came from or where a bit of dirt originated. It’s almost sci-fi in nature! But the old reliable “dusting powder” hasn’t changed and is still used to determine the very unique markings of fingerprints. Any time a person handles or just touches something we leave behind a fingerprint, a print that is undeniably our mark. Some fingerprints bring blessing; some bring destruction. <div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">The power of Jesus’ fingerprints is revealed in the Biblical books of Matthew, Mark and Luke when He touched people at their point of need bringing healing and comfort to them. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_111442260"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;"><span id="goog_111442261"></span></span></a>·<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+8:15&version=51">Matthew 8:15</a><span id="goog_111442262"></span> <br />
But when Jesus <b>touched</b> her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+9:29&version=51">Matthew 9:29</a> <br />
Then he <b>touched</b> their eyes and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+17:7&version=51">Matthew 17:7</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+17&version=51"></a> <br />
Then Jesus came over and <b>touched</b> them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matthew+20:34&version=51">Matthew 20:34</a> <br />
Jesus felt sorry for them and <b>touched</b> their eyes. Instantly they could see! Then they followed him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+1:41&version=51">Mark 1:41</a><br />
Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and <b>touched</b> him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+6:56&version=51">Mark 6:56</a><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+6&version=51"></a> <br />
Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick <b>touch</b> at least the fringe of his robe, and all who <b>touched</b> him were healed. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+7:33&version=51">Mark 7:33</a><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+7&version=51"></a> <br />
Jesus led him away from the crowd so they could be alone. He put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then, spitting on his own fingers, he <b>touched</b> the man’s tongue. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+10:13&version=51">Mark 10:13</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Mark+10&version=51"></a> <br />
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could <b>touch</b> and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+4:40&version=51">Luke 4:40</a><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+4&version=51"></a> <br />
As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the <b>touch</b> of his hand healed every one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+7:14&version=51">Luke 7:14</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+7&version=51"></a> <br />
Then he walked over to the coffin and <b>touched </b>it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+13:13&version=51">Luke 13:13</a> <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+13&version=51"></a> <br />
Then he <b>touched</b> her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt;">·</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><span> </span><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Luke+14:4&version=51">Luke 14:4</a> <br />
When they refused to answer, Jesus <b>touched</b> the sick man and healed him and sent him away. </span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">ALL these lives were changed by the touch of Jesus. His touch left the fingerprint of <span> </span>God’s mercy and restoration.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Paul, a disciple of Jesus Christ, knew the importance of baring the marks or fingerprints of God in his life.<span> </span>In ancient times the Greek word for “marks” was used of the brand that identified slaves or animals. Paul’s suffering (stoning, <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Acts+14%3A19&version1=51">Ac 14:19</a>; beatings, <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Acts+16%3A22&version1=51">Ac 16:22</a>; <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=2+Cor+11%3A25&version1=51">2 Cor 11:25</a>; illness, <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Gal+4%3A13-14&version1=51">Gal 4:13-14</a>) marked him as a “servant of Christ”.* The touch of God on Paul’s life so marked him that <i>“When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely <b>touched</b> his (Paul’s) skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.”</i> (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Acts+19:12&version=51">Acts 19:12</a>) </span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The fingerprint of God on Paul’s life included pain and suffering but he fully understood the <i>favor</i> of God’s touch as well. When arguments arose among the first century Christians about circumcision, the first identifying mark of the covenant between God and Abraham (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Gen+17%3A9-14&version1=51">Gen 17:9-14</a>), Paul gave explanation of the <i>new</i> covenant. <i>“<sup>12</sup> Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. <sup>13</sup> And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.</i></span></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <sup>14</sup> As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross<sup>,</sup> my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. <sup>15</sup> It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. <sup>16</sup> May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.</span></i></div><div style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <sup>17</sup> From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(or marks in some translations)<i> that show I belong to Jesus.” </i>(Gal 6:12-17)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What does the mark of God’s fingerprint on my life look like? Do those I encounter every day see God’s touch or the smudge of sin and failure? Is there a definite sign that I have been in God’s presence, marked by Jesus’ touch and empowered by the Holy Spirit? How will they know?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Jesus told his disciples at their last supper together<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">, </span></b><i><span style="font-family: Times;">"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."</span></i><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=John+13%3A34-35&version1=65">(John 13:34-35</a>) The new command was much like the old one given in <a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=lev+19%3A18&version1=49">Lev 19:18</a>, but for Jesus’ disciples it was new, because it was the mark of their brotherhood, created by Jesus’ great love for them (<a href="http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=Matt+22%3A37-39&version1=51">Matt 22:37-39</a>). *</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The people around us are always “dusting us” for fingerprints. There is a great desire to see genuine love and the demonstration of faith and confidence. People need to see we are who we say we are and do what God says we should!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Watching forensics shows make you want to be sure you clean your doorknobs well so, if the need ever arises, the CSI agents will be able to determine the <i>unusual</i> set of fingerprints found there to solve a crime! Even more, when we realize we bear the marks of things that touch our lives every day, we need to purify our lives with the touch of God. <span> </span>It is the <i>undeniable</i> fingerprint of God Almighty that I want to display in loving my neighbors and demonstrating the love of Christ to my brothers and sisters in the faith.<span> </span>I hope when they “dust me for fingerprints” I’m COVERED with God’s!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*<span style="font-size: 9pt;">Footnotes from the NIV Study Bible</span></div>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-28395575470931615692010-11-17T14:01:00.000-05:002010-11-17T14:01:00.191-05:00Blessed Is She Who Has BelievedBlessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished! Luke 1:45 NIV<br />
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Can you imagine what it would be like to have a spirit-being show up in your room? It would be even more unnerving to have him speak to you! What if he said “Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out! God be with you.” (Luke 1:28 Message) Well, that is EXACTLY what happened to Mary, mother of Jesus! Is it any wonder that Mary was “thoroughly shaken”? The Bible, no matter what translation you read, makes no mention of Mary screaming or fainting or losing control of her bodily functions. Nothing! It just says she was “greatly troubled” or “thoroughly shaken”. Yes, I think I would have had that response including a LOUD reaction. <br />
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Mary must have at least looked scared because the angel, Gabriel, said, “Do not be afraid”. To my knowledge, I have never met an angel face to face but I have the feeling, once you get past the sudden appearance, there would be great peace in their presence. That is the reason I think it was possible for Mary to believe the things Gabriel told her. “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest’. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever- no end, ever, to his kingdom.”<br />
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Mary’s only question was “How?” She didn’t ask “why” or “are you sure you have the right house?” She didn’t even ask “When?” Her only question was “How?” Gabriel explained God’s plan of supernatural conception; “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God”. (Luke 1:35 MSG) Her response was “Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.” (Luke 1:38 MSG)<br />
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There are things God has spoken into my life; assignments, dreams, purpose; that have been difficult for me to accept. My questions are not only “how?” but also “Did I hear you correctly?” and “Are you sure I’m the one?” Its unfortunate there have been no angelic visits with an announcement and explanation but there has been confirmation through scripture and friends. That should be enough, shouldn’t it?<br />
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Mary’s faith was demonstrated in her ability to only ask “How?” It was a question that asked, “What do you need me to do to make this happen?” There was no hint of “are you kidding me?” or doubt. Once she understood God had a plan to make it happen she was ready to go. Gabriel encouraged her faith by telling her of her cousin Elizabeth’s pregnancy “in her old age”. “For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37 NIV)<br />
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Mary may have also remembered the story of Abraham and Sarah who became the parents of the child that began the lineage of “many nations” promised to them. “Without weakening in his faith, he (Abraham) faced the fact that his body was as good as dead – since he was about a hundred years old – and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” (Romans 4:19-21) Abraham’s faith “was credited to him as righteousness.” Because it was true faith, complete confidence in God’s promise. (Romans 4:22)<br />
In today’s world, people who have that kind of faith are thought of as “kooks”, eccentrics or weak-minded. In reality, that kind of faith – faith that believes God will do every thing He said He would – requires great strength and confidence.<br />
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Abraham was credited with righteousness and Mary was called blessed by all generations (Luke 1:48) because they believed that the Lord would do everything He said He would. Lord, help me be the “who” and let You worry about the how, what, when, where, and why!<br />
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Luke 1:45 “You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what He said.” NLT<br />
Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” spoken to Abraham & Sarah<br />
Job 42:2 “I know you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” - Job<br />
Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” - Jeremiah<br />
Luke 18:27 “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” - Jesus<br />
Matthew 19:26 “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - JesusJoy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-42885295702761134882010-08-25T11:52:00.004-04:002010-08-25T12:20:04.700-04:00If it seems too good to be true, then . . .Our family has been praying for several years for God’s favor over a particular dream and the answer was always “In My time, just wait.” It has been hard and frustrating to wait and I have to admit, I have not been especially patient. I felt ignored and have been unappreciative of what God <span style="font-style: italic;">was</span> doing because I wanted what I wanted. Nothing else was good enough. Finally after several years of waiting, the dream is coming true. The unexpected thing is, it is all so surreal. It seems too good to be true!<br /><br />As I’ve been repenting of my unbelief and impatience, I’ve also been wondering why the excitement I expected isn’t there. As I prayed God reminded me of the story of Peter’s jail break found in Acts 12: 1-19.<br /><br />To please the religious leaders, Herod had James the brother of John and a disciple of Jesus put to death by the sword. When he saw that this pleased them, Herod had Peter arrested planning to have him brought to trial after the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Passover (the celebration of God delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt).<br /><br />Peter was in jail guarded by four squads of four soldiers each waiting for public trail. The church was earnestly praying asking God for Peter’s release.<br /><br />The night before the trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and lit up the cell. He had to strike Peter to wake him up. “Quick, get up” the angel told Peter and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.<br /><br />The angel told Peter to put on his clothes and sandals, so he did. The angel then said, “Put your coat on and follow me.” Peter followed the angel but had no idea that this was really happening. Peter thought he was having a vision. They walked past the first set of guards, then past the second set of guards and right up to the iron gate of the prison. The gate opened by itself and they walked right past the sentries and out of the prison. The angel led Peter down the street and then disappeared. As Peter stood there all alone he finally came to himself and realized what had just happened. God had performed a miracle in answer to the prayers of the church! He said to himself, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the religious leaders were anticipating.”<br /><br />Peter went to the house where the church was praying and knocked on the door. The servant girl, Rhoda, came to the door and was so astonished that she ran back into the house without letting Peter in. The people gathered there praying told her, “You’re out of your mind!” and when she kept insisting he was there they said, “It must be his angel.”<br /><br />Peter just kept on knocking until they finally let him in. They were so astonished they began to make a lot of noise. Peter motioned for them to be quiet and told them what God had done. He encouraged them to tell the church leaders and then he left.<br /><br />Doesn’t it seem funny that when God answered the people’s prayers, they found it hard to believe? It’s a wonder God didn’t do a “Gibb’s smack” to the back of their heads. What faith! What trust in God! What separates me from them? Nothing!<br /><br />The church prayed earnestly just as my family and I have prayed. There has been a measure of piety in seeking God and straining for what we believe to be God’s will. I have been consoled by Isaiah 30:18 “… the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” It has become part of my life, the norm to pray, believe and wait. I know how to do that.<br /><br />The church had faith enough to pray, believe and wait for Peter’s release but they lacked the faith to receive it. What is our job once God grants our request? I’m discovering it requires just as much faith to receive the answer as to ask and wait.<br /><br />Jesus said in Mark 11:22, “Have faith in God, I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but <span style="font-weight: bold;">believes that what he says </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">will happen</span>, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” We are to start receiving when we start praying!<br /><br />Lord, forgive my doubting heart and help me to have faith enough to receive the answer. Forgive me for feeling like I need to look over my shoulder to see if it really is “too good to be true”! I KNOW you are faithful to your word – I BELIEVE AND RECEIVE!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-7690721335631481872010-08-10T11:12:00.003-04:002010-08-10T11:20:19.495-04:00The Long Way Around<span style="font-style:italic;">Exodus 13:17 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." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.</span><br /><br />There are times when God brings deliverance that doesn't look much like deliverance. When God delivered the children of Israel out of Egypt, He prepared them with gold, silver & clothing - the usual plunder for the victors of war - given to them by the Egyptians. (Exodus 12:36 The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.) He also dressed them for battle (Exodus 13:18b The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.) So why then with all this favor and preparation did God take them the long way across the desert instead of straight to the Promised Land? God knew the Israelites well. He knew that even though they had experienced miracles in Egypt and seen Him do everything He said He would, they were prone to doubt and whining! "God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." (Ex. 13:17) <br /><br />Does that mean that the “long way” was the easier way? Somehow, I don’t think so. They were chased by Pharaoh and his army, Ex. 14:10; they didn’t have good drinking water, Ex. 15:23; they didn’t have enough food, Ex. 16:3; they got tired of the new menu, Numbers 11:4 - 6; they begged for water to drink, Ex. 17:3; they were attacked by the enemy, Ex. 17:8. It all seems rather bleak. We can even sympathize a little with them when terrified they yelled at Moses and said, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?” (Ex. 14:11)<br /><br />Just hours after God had spared them the loss of their firstborn and they had marched out of Egypt “in full view of the Egyptians, who were burying their firstborn” (Numbers 33:3), they had forgotten what God had done. They had forgotten the way God had kept them through the plagues and supplied them with riches and protection for their journey. They spent everyday of the journey wishing they could go back to Egypt. Back to slavery and mistreatment instead of going to the land that God had promised their father Abraham (Genesis 15:18); the land that they had been told about through all the generations since Abraham.<br /><br />Even so, God provided for them at each complaint.<br /><br />When they were chased by Pharaoh, God swallowed him, his army and all their weaponry in the Red Sea, Ex. 14:19-28. When they didn’t have good drinking water God provided a piece of wood that sweetened the water, Ex. 15:25. When they didn’t have enough food, God rained down bread from heaven, Ex.16: 4. When they grew tired of the bread from heaven and begged for other kinds of food God sent quail in from the sea, Nu. 11:31. When they begged for water to drink God gave them water from a rock, Ex. 17:5-7. When they were attacked by the enemy God brought great victory in battle, Ex. 17:13. Every time God provided.<br /><br />Are You taking me the “long way” to the promises You’ve given me, Lord? Am I prone to complaining and whining? Am I forgetful or narrow in my understanding of Your faithfulness? Help me to identify my Egypt and strengthen my resolve to go where You are leading me recognizing that You have equipped me for the journey to my Promised Land!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-88723179205987255292010-08-03T08:59:00.002-04:002010-08-03T09:04:30.637-04:00The Cover of DarknessRemember when being a “Peeping Tom” was considered a deviant type of behavior? A peeping tom usually lurked outside someone’s house and peered in the windows at people. It is defined in the dictionary as “One who derives pleasure, usually sexual, from secretly spying on others.” You could get arrested for this behavior! In fact, in the state of New York the sentence for a peeping tom is six months in jail! Now we turn on our TVs and “peep” through that window - our families sitting right next to us - in the comfort of our own homes - watching “Big Brother” or “The Bachelor”, “The Bachelorette”, “Jon and Kate Plus 8”, and “Survivor” (to name a VERY short list). We call them reality shows. <br /><br />Recently, I saw a preview for a new reality show called “Dating in the Dark”. The producers of the show put people who have never seen each other in a totally dark room and film what happens using night-vision technology. Once the people have developed a relationship, they reveal them to each other in the light and film their reactions. Apparently, the cover of darkness allows them to “see” each other for who they are and keeps them from making judgments based on physical attributes. It helps to take away their inhibitions and allows them to act on their feelings without having to worry about what the other person is thinking. Of course, the preview made it look like it can get pretty “steamy” between the people. If it didn’t who would want to be the peeping tom on the other side of the screen?<br /><br />In theory, it all sounds reasonable, I guess, but how do they “forget” the camera and crew are watching them? Does it really work to say, “Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain?” Maybe it does. They seem to have forgotten that they are doing all this in front of “God and everyone” as the saying goes. Nothing is hidden by the darkness because God has night-vision, too!<br /><br />David wrote in Psalm 139:11 & 12, “If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you (God); the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” These verses follow David’s acknowledgment in verse 1 “O Lord, you have searched me and you know me.” All of Psalm 139 gives testimony to God’s knowledge of who we are and what we do.<br /><br />Job, the man God called “blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:8), understood that God sees all and knows all. Job 34:21 & 22 “For God watches how people live; he sees everything they do. No darkness is thick enough to hide the wicked from his eyes.” <br /><br />It puzzles me that anyone would want to be filmed in these situations. I get the allure of winning money but what else does it offer? Is the 15 minutes of fame the draw? And what is it that draws the viewer? Does watching other people fail at relationships or succeed at things we thought impossible encourage us? Do these shows give us permission to behave outside the social niceties of manners and etiquette? It just doesn’t seem worth the risk to me. <br /><br />The truth is that we are all part of a reality show. Our lives may not include cameramen, directors and make-up people but we do have family and friends watching us every day. Most importantly, God is watching us day and night! That realization alone makes me agree with David in Psalm 139:23 & 24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The New Living Translation says “Point out anything in me that offends <span style="font-style:italic;">you</span>, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”<br /><br />The only “viewer” I want to please is God. If I am living to please Him, all the other “viewers” will fade into the background and the cover of darkness will only be needed for restful sleep!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-48572111313841646882010-07-29T09:12:00.005-04:002010-07-29T10:08:26.873-04:00Versions of MeIt may seem strange (considering my age and all) but I am a big fan of the animated series "Avatar, The Last Airbender". It’s a quirky story about a world where every nation has a specific power or ability to interact with the forces of nature (earth, wind, fire, and water) and command them by "bending" them. <br /><br />It may also surprise you to know that I'm a huge fan of M. Night Shyamalan (director of "Sixth Sense", "Signs", "The Village" and "Lady in the Water" - some of my favs) so you can only imagine how COMPLETELY excited I was to hear that he was doing a movie about the quirky little cartoon! <br /><br />Unfortunately, I've been told that M. Night's portrayal of the characters is very different from those in the cartoon. The slapstick sidekick of Aang, the avatar, isn't funny or slapstick. His antics in the cartoon were part of why I watched the show. That alone is keeping me out of the theater. Of course M. Night is not the creator of the cartoon characters; he is merely an observer who took his interpretation of the personalities and put them on film. It makes me wonder what Jeremy Zuckerman, composer of the original series, thought of M. Night's characterizations. He must be disappointed that M. Night didn't value his version of the characters enough to maintain their personalities as he had written them.<br /><br />All this got me to thinking, dangerous - I know! Have I done that to people? Have people done that to me? Have I made snap judgments on who a person is and then represented them to others as MY version? Have I, in all my "brilliance and discernment", created false, disappointing versions of someone only to portray them as such? Did I rewrite who they are? It has been known to happen.<br /><br />God created the perfect version of us when we were "formed in our mother's womb". Ps 139:13 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Inmost being in Hebrew literally means "kidneys" but is also a Hebrew idiom meaning "the innermost center of emotions and of moral sensitivity", that part of us that makes us who we are. <br /><br />People will tell you that time, environment, and experience form our personalities and make us who we are but the truth is God made a perfect version of us at our beginning. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Ps 139:14) Yes, all those influences - time, environment and experience - affect who we are but they did not form who we are. God's version of us, the one "written in His book" before one day of our life even began is the version He designed knowing what every day of our life held. (Ps 139:16) <br /><br />David, the author of Psalm 139, recognized God's love for him in verses 17 & 18 "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!" God's love is the same for us!<br /><br />Maybe Jeremy Zuckerman is disappointed, too, in M. Night's version of his airbending characters, but it didn't change who they truly are. Jeremy still knows them well and continues to write about them in their original form. God won't let us down, either. His version of us has not changed and He is still watching our story unfold. He loves us and sees us in His version and is NEVER influenced by anyone else’s view of us. We need to look for the "God version" of ourselves and others and remember that we can walk with great confidence knowing God's is the true version of who we are - and the ONLY ONE that really counts!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-13882613086063767062010-07-22T10:20:00.002-04:002010-07-22T10:44:52.315-04:00Is God a Liar?Is God a liar?<br /><br />"Of course not!" "How could you say such a thing?" "That's preposterous, completely absurd!" you say?<br /><br />Really? You're right of course. It is absurd and yet. . . <br /><br />When is the last time you thought "I'm fat and ugly!"? How about "No one cares what I think. I'm stupid and have nothing of value to contribute!" Or "No one appreciates me. I give and give and give and no one even notices!" And "The only thing I'm good for is _________ (you fill in the blank!)". I could go on. It's a little like the old whine "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I'm gonna eat some worms!!" isn't it?<br /><br />There may be a small element of truth in each of those statements but they are NOT absolutely true! When did we start thinking this way?<br /><br />Well, not to blame the devil for <span style="font-style: italic;">everything</span> but, he started it!<br /><br />Genesis 3:1-7 (MSG)<br />1 The serpent was clever, more clever than any wild animal God had made. He spoke to the Woman: "Do I understand that God told you not to eat from any tree in the garden?"<br />2 The Woman said to the serpent, "Not at all. We can eat from the trees in the garden. 3 It's only about the tree in the middle of the garden that God said, 'Don't eat from it; don't even touch it or you'll die.'"<br />4 The serpent told the Woman, "You won't die. 5 God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you'll see what's really going on. You'll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."<br /><br />That snake was clever alright! He took God's words and twisted them first by saying "God told you not to eat from <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> tree in the garden, right?" The snake knew exactly what God had told them. (Gen. 2:16-17) 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17But (except) of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.' (Amplified Bible) That snake told her "God lied to you. He was trying to trick you!" when he said, "You will not die."<br /><br />God's instructions were very clear. You may eat of every tree <span style="font-style: italic;">except</span>... The woman spoke correctly when she answered the snake but the snake caused her to doubt the command by saying "You won't die!" He told the woman that God was trying to trick her because "God knows that if you eat the fruit from that tree, you will learn about good and evil and you will be like God!" (Gen 3:4) Why would God not want her to learn about good and evil or as the Message says it, "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil."? Was God trying to keep her from being just like Him? If so, why does it say in Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 (and several other places) "Be holy, because I am holy." In other words "Be just like me!" The snake accused God of jealousy. He convinced the woman that God didn't want her to be "just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." Vanity. He played on her vanity and pride! He used vanity to throw Eve off the course of God's plan for her and all the children of Eve as well - US!<br /><br />The snake is still preying on people's vanity and pride today. Those half truths about our looks or brilliance, worth and value are again the snake's way of making us doubt God. God said we are His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5 & Deuteronomy 7:6) Think about that! God owns EVERYTHING yet we are His treasured possession, "the apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8) The apple of his eye literally means "little man of his eye," referring to the pupil, a delicate part of the eye that is <span style="font-style: italic;">essential</span> for vision and that therefore <span style="font-style: italic;">must be protected at all costs</span>. (NIV footnotes for Deut. 32:10) It is an expression deep love. YOU are loved and precious to God Almighty. Not only does God want us to be "just like Him", He made it possible by sending Jesus, His only begotten son, to suffer death on a cross so we could overcome what "knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil" has done to us. We may not recover the innocence but we ARE declared innocent!<br /><br />When God gave the Ten Commandments to the children of Israel, He told Moses to tell the people "If you will obey me fully and keep my covenant (agreement), then out of all the nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Exodus 19:5 & 6) Once again it comes down to believing God - who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19) - and obeying His commands - that are given to protect us - and understanding that the snake is the father of lies (John 8:44) wanting to rob us of what he cannot have; life eternal WITH God.<br /><br />Father, forgive me for the times I've believed the lies the snake whispers to me. I know You treasure me as I am, but I want to "reflect the Lord's glory, being transformed (changed forever) into (Your) likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18) I want to be just like you!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-27809598456764059862010-07-13T09:21:00.005-04:002010-07-13T09:27:16.814-04:00Simple ComplicationsWow! Last post was 10 months ago. I know - so who noticed? <br /><br />Much has changed since September 26, 2009. There are going to be 2 new grandchildren before 2010 waves goodbye; it is doubtful that the public school systems will be my employer; all the kids are high school graduates; and the once complicated version of my life has just become "simply" complicated.<br /><br />Simplicity isn't all it is cracked up to be. There, of course, is the first few days when looking at an empty calendar has the complete "Ahhhhh" factor going for it but then, in less time than expected, those empty pages loom ever so daunting. The echo of time for yourself becomes worrisome and depressing. Yard work, cleaning, social activities, vacation, kids, grandkids' ballgames...all great and (hate to admit it) cathartic but summer comes to an end and then what?<br /><br />That is pretty much where I am. (Yes, I know the date is only July 13 but I'm a planner - so, I'm already preparing for my angst!)<br /><br />I've been sitting in my "little piece of heaven" (our backyard) every morning listening to the world of birds, cars and our neighbor's roofing project all around me. The Bible is sitting on my lap and my laptop is open to a newly created folder, Devotions/Journal. Prayer has led me to scriptures that have been inspiring and encouraging. There is peace that comes with my time with the Lord and I feel freedom in the "down time". God knows where I am, how empty my calendar is and just what will be filling my days in the future. He has led me to this place, provided ALL that I have need of and He hasn't forgotten me. Just as I had to rely on God to help me get through the days of "too much to do", I MUST rely on Him in these "empty calendar" days. After all God made us all a promise in Hebrews 13:5 (MSG) "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," I guess that means He's staring at those empty calendar pages, too. (I'm pretty sure, however, that God has those Benjamin Franklin glasses that let you read the invisible water markings on those "empty pages"! You know - like in "National Treasure" with Nicholas Cage.....? What? You don't watch movies?)Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-6917409912306567062009-09-26T20:46:00.003-04:002009-09-26T20:49:52.844-04:00A great place to find those "lost tracks"is emusic.com! I love this site! I have been able to download many tracks that I couldn't find anywhere else for pennies. You NEED to visit this site. The membership cost is very reasonable and the quality is great. Here, let me help you...<br /><br /><a href="http://emusic.com">emusic.com</a>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-46280607052487013232009-08-15T11:51:00.003-04:002009-08-15T11:59:13.030-04:00Just when I want to quit.....someone (directed of God, I'm sure) sends me a word of encouragement that reminds me of the reason I became a teacher. I believe that the "power of one" makes a difference. One word, one act, one person at the right place in the right moment makes a HUGE difference! You make a difference everyday - make it an intentional one. Enjoy the video of a student whose life has been impacted through those who believe in him! It inspired me. Thank you Mark Lawley for sharing it with me. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HAMLOnSNwzA&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HAMLOnSNwzA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-20191347847472363912009-07-09T17:46:00.003-04:002009-07-09T17:59:04.182-04:00ThunderstormsA friend sent me this video and it made me want to cry! The amazing sounds produced by using hands and feet are wonderful and then, they sang. I just had to share it and hope to be able to be this creative with one of my choirs!!!<br /><br /><object width="540" height="437"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjbpwlqp5Qw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&rel=0&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yjbpwlqp5Qw&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&rel=0&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3&showsearch=0&iv_load_policy=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="540" height="437"></embed></object><br />via <a href="http://www.videosift.com/video/Africa-Acapella-cover" title="Amazing Choir uses hands to create a thunderstorm">videosift.com</a>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-17092370388288412252009-04-01T12:01:00.002-04:002009-04-01T12:14:59.659-04:0090 Years and CountingIn just 11 days my mother will celebrate her 90th birthday on Easter Sunday, April 12. What a great day to have a birthday!<br /><br />I love you, Mom and hope to be the woman of God you are all the days of my life, too. I'll try to walk the way you taught me, staying as close to God as possible.<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Mom!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-64272328446850022722009-01-07T13:02:00.003-05:002009-01-07T13:06:35.533-05:002009Wow! It's been a VERY long time since my last post - sorry. If I made new year resolutions and I could resolve to try harder but the only resolution I've been successful at keeping is the one to never make another resolution!<br />The new year has started and I am looking forward to what God has in store for 2009. It is going to be life impacting and world changing because that is who He is and what He does. I pray your 2009 will be a gift of grace, mercy and peace for all you hold dear.Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-74984478004520849522008-10-19T23:27:00.004-04:002008-10-19T23:39:43.408-04:009 Weeks down - 27 to goWe've just finished the first 9 weeks of school and boy have I learned alot!! I've learned that kids are still kids, just bolder than they used to be. Teachers are still "the enemy", classes are still boring and grades are still threatening. I've also learned more than I EVER wanted to know about stage craft and back stage information in my Tech Theatre class. I guess we're having fun?!?<br /><br />High school isn't what it was just a few years ago. I remember hearing students complain about their teachers and making comments on their classes. It was always the teacher who was "lame" and there were always the nerds and weirdos. Okay, that hasn't changed. What has changed is the level of anger and disrespect that you see in the students. Life isn't fun and school isn't worth the effort - for many. But then you run into a few students that love being a teenager, are giving high school all they have and life is good. Makes me glad to be a teacher and even "gladder" to be an adult!Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-28743499170471230392008-09-13T18:46:00.000-04:002008-09-13T18:46:34.562-04:00Joy's Jazz: The Wait is Over!<a href="http://joysjazz.blogspot.com/2008/09/wait-is-over_13.html#links"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fjoyahawkins%2Falbumid%2F5241927478776376145%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss%26authkey%3DX4SWmwv-M10" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>Joy's Jazz: The Wait is Over!</a>Joy Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01718372959843669031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9072655256498482674.post-52864577495985378842008-09-13T18:14:00.003-04:002020-02-12T12:12:55.826-05:00The Wait is Over!Westin Seth Koeppen was born Sunday, August 31, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. weighing 6 lbs 14 oz, 19 inches long with an adorably round face and dimpled chin. We're so glad he's here.<br />
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