2 Chron. 20:22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.
Jehoshaphat and Judah faced overwhelming opposition. A great army approached intending (v.11) to throw God's people out from the land, to prevent them from possessing their promised inheritance. In prayer, a desperate Jehoshaphat said (v.12) they felt powerless and without direction. But they made one very important decision. Instead of focusing on the problem they faced, they focused on the God they served proclaiming, "...our eyes are upon You." God responded through Jahaziel saying, "Do not be afraid...for the battle is Mine not yours." In other words, have faith and believe (v.20) in Me for your salvation.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed like Jehoshaphat, convinced that the trials, afflictions and enemies you face are keeping you from receiving God's promises for your life? That you are powerless to do anything about it and don't know which way to turn? Then do like he did and focus not on your big problem or circumstances but on your bigger God. Position yourself in faith and not fear knowing that God will fight your battles and that you are assured the victory. Begin to praise Him!
Having God's assurance of victory, Jehoshaphat and company began, in faith, to sing and praise the Lord. And out of that praise the Lord set ambushes against their enemies and they were totally defeated. He confused the enemy camp so much that they destroyed themselves (v.23) and not an single one escaped (v.24). The spoil gathered by Jehoshaphat and Judah afterwards was so great that it took three days to collect. Out of the battle came the blessing.
Our faith-inspired praise can produce the same results. God's battle-bought blessings await us. Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Praise Him now because your enemies are about to be ambushed.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Even More Powerful
Rom. 5:20 The Law came, so that the full power of sin could be seen. Yet where sin was powerful, God's kindness was even more powerful. (CEV)
Laws are not made for righteous people (1 Tim. 1:9). They are made for the unrighteous. Think about it. If everyone in our society, any society, behaved perfectly, laws would be completely unnecessary. They exist only in order to identify to the unrighteous where they transgress or sin.
And so it was with the Law of Moses. Through it an unrighteous people could see the full condemning power of their sin and the hopelessness of their situation. Because no matter how hard they tried, they could never fully satisfy or live by it's requirements. They could never earn their own righteousness. Their sin was just too powerful. And the sobering judgment due them, the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23), was death. An eternal separation from God.
But, we are told that as powerful as the grip of sin was on their lives, God's grace (kindness) was even more powerful! He provided, through Jesus Christ, the only perfect, sinless and righteous Man by whom we all have been made righteous (v.19) and in whom the Law was fulfilled (Mt. 5:17). By God's grace and through our faith (Eph. 2:8) we are saved. We have eternal life and victory (1 Cor. 15:57) over sin and death because of something even more powerful. God's amazing grace.
Sock Monkey Snippet: Sin is powerful, but God's grace is even more powerful.
Laws are not made for righteous people (1 Tim. 1:9). They are made for the unrighteous. Think about it. If everyone in our society, any society, behaved perfectly, laws would be completely unnecessary. They exist only in order to identify to the unrighteous where they transgress or sin.
And so it was with the Law of Moses. Through it an unrighteous people could see the full condemning power of their sin and the hopelessness of their situation. Because no matter how hard they tried, they could never fully satisfy or live by it's requirements. They could never earn their own righteousness. Their sin was just too powerful. And the sobering judgment due them, the wages of sin (Rom. 6:23), was death. An eternal separation from God.
But, we are told that as powerful as the grip of sin was on their lives, God's grace (kindness) was even more powerful! He provided, through Jesus Christ, the only perfect, sinless and righteous Man by whom we all have been made righteous (v.19) and in whom the Law was fulfilled (Mt. 5:17). By God's grace and through our faith (Eph. 2:8) we are saved. We have eternal life and victory (1 Cor. 15:57) over sin and death because of something even more powerful. God's amazing grace.
Sock Monkey Snippet: Sin is powerful, but God's grace is even more powerful.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
So Walk
Col. 2:6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.
If we are to walk in Him the same way we received Him, then the obvious question is, "How exactly did we receive Him?' We received Him in faith. Believing what we heard (Rom. 10:17) and what we were taught (v.7). Trusting in God's Word and trusting in God.
And so it is in that same manner we are instructed by Paul to live out our everyday lives. Being established, confirmed, stable and constant in our faith. For without it, we are told (Heb. 11:6), it is impossible to please God. Just as surely as we trusted Him to save us, we must trust Him to help us with the problems we face each day. It isn't necessary to run anywhere else. So walk in Him!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Walk in faith in Him.
If we are to walk in Him the same way we received Him, then the obvious question is, "How exactly did we receive Him?' We received Him in faith. Believing what we heard (Rom. 10:17) and what we were taught (v.7). Trusting in God's Word and trusting in God.
And so it is in that same manner we are instructed by Paul to live out our everyday lives. Being established, confirmed, stable and constant in our faith. For without it, we are told (Heb. 11:6), it is impossible to please God. Just as surely as we trusted Him to save us, we must trust Him to help us with the problems we face each day. It isn't necessary to run anywhere else. So walk in Him!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Walk in faith in Him.
Monday, August 22, 2011
His Passion
Jn. 2:17 And it came to the minds of the disciples that the Writings say, I am on fire with passion for Your house. (BBE)
What are you passionate about? What interest or cause excites you, consuming your time and attention? For Jesus, that passion was for His Father's house. Literally, a dwelling or temple but figuratively, a family, the church. Us. So much so, Scripture records that it consumed Him. We drew His complete attention and affection. WE are His passion! A passion to which He devoted His entire life. A passion so great that it led Him to the cross. Being His disciples, let us also remember as they did. Today, thank Him for the depth of His love for us (Jn. 15:13), the passion for us that burns within Him like a consuming fire.
Sock Monkey Snippet: We are His passion.
What are you passionate about? What interest or cause excites you, consuming your time and attention? For Jesus, that passion was for His Father's house. Literally, a dwelling or temple but figuratively, a family, the church. Us. So much so, Scripture records that it consumed Him. We drew His complete attention and affection. WE are His passion! A passion to which He devoted His entire life. A passion so great that it led Him to the cross. Being His disciples, let us also remember as they did. Today, thank Him for the depth of His love for us (Jn. 15:13), the passion for us that burns within Him like a consuming fire.
Sock Monkey Snippet: We are His passion.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Keep On Asking
Lk. 11:8 "I say to you, though he will not get up and give to him, because he is his friend, still, if he keeps on making his request, he will get up and give him as much as he has need of." (BBE)
I think we all get discouraged at some point in our prayer life when it seems as though our prayers are not being answered. We become impatient, frustrated, perhaps even angry with God and may finally just give up on our requests.
But Jesus encourages us to do exactly the opposite. Don't give up, keep on asking. Some translations of the Bible use the word "importunity" in this verse. It means to be shamelessly persistent and relentless. Pressing a matter with a sense of urgency, refusing to be denied. We are to ask and continue to ask, over and over again until we receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus gives the example of a man awakened in the middle of the night by a friend with a need knocking on his door. And knocking. And knocking. The friendly knocker didn't know whether the door would be answered after the first knock or the second or the third. But he was convinced and never doubted that it would be answered. The sleeping man finally answered the door only because he determined that his visitor wasn't going away until his need was met. The friend was not going to be denied. He was persistent and relentless. He didn't care that it was midnight on the doorstep of another who had already gone to sleep. His perseverance was without regard to time, place or circumstance. Ours should be, too.
If an unwilling man responded to importunity, how much more will a loving, kind and willing God respond to it? Don't ever give up on anything in your prayer life. Keep on asking!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Persevere in prayer without regard to time, place or circumstance.
I think we all get discouraged at some point in our prayer life when it seems as though our prayers are not being answered. We become impatient, frustrated, perhaps even angry with God and may finally just give up on our requests.
But Jesus encourages us to do exactly the opposite. Don't give up, keep on asking. Some translations of the Bible use the word "importunity" in this verse. It means to be shamelessly persistent and relentless. Pressing a matter with a sense of urgency, refusing to be denied. We are to ask and continue to ask, over and over again until we receive the answer to our prayer.
Jesus gives the example of a man awakened in the middle of the night by a friend with a need knocking on his door. And knocking. And knocking. The friendly knocker didn't know whether the door would be answered after the first knock or the second or the third. But he was convinced and never doubted that it would be answered. The sleeping man finally answered the door only because he determined that his visitor wasn't going away until his need was met. The friend was not going to be denied. He was persistent and relentless. He didn't care that it was midnight on the doorstep of another who had already gone to sleep. His perseverance was without regard to time, place or circumstance. Ours should be, too.If an unwilling man responded to importunity, how much more will a loving, kind and willing God respond to it? Don't ever give up on anything in your prayer life. Keep on asking!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Persevere in prayer without regard to time, place or circumstance.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Price of Forgiveness
Mt. 18:21, 22 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven."
No, not seven times or even seventy times seven. The point Jesus makes is that there should be no limit on our willingness and capacity to forgive. Regardless of the offense.
The parable of the unforgiving servant that follows tells of a servant who owed his master a considerable amount of money. Ten thousand talents (v.24) today would be worth approximately twenty billion dollars. No servant would even come close to having that kind of money. I read somewhere that this wasn't the debt of a servant, it was the ransom or price of a king. Of course, he could not repay it. But, out of compassion (v.27), the master forgave him the incredible debt that he owed.
A fellow servant owed the now-forgiven servant one hundred denarii. About two thousand dollars. In comparison, to twenty billion dollars, two thousand dollars is a very small, almost insignificant amount. Yet the forgiven servant was himself unwilling to forgive even a penny of it.
Forgiveness requires a compassion. Even though we may feel hurt or offended by someone, until, out of compassion, we recognize their need to be forgiven above our own self-interest and pride, we can not forgive. A heart of compassion was found in our Master and must also be found in us.
Forgiveness requires a comparison. Only when we look at the incredible sin debt from which the Master has released each one of us, can we see the comparatively small price of forgiveness that is sometimes required from us by another person. God the Father was willing to pay the price of a King, His Son Jesus Christ, to forgive our debt. So, if a Master forgives a servant a great debt, how much more should that same servant be willing to forgive a fellow servant of a lesser debt?
Forgiveness requires a cancellation. There can be no score keeping of how many times we have been wronged or offended. No matter what it might cost us, we should always be willing, seven times or seventy times seven, to pay the price of forgiveness.
Sock Monkey Snippet: The price of our forgiveness was the price of a King.
No, not seven times or even seventy times seven. The point Jesus makes is that there should be no limit on our willingness and capacity to forgive. Regardless of the offense.
The parable of the unforgiving servant that follows tells of a servant who owed his master a considerable amount of money. Ten thousand talents (v.24) today would be worth approximately twenty billion dollars. No servant would even come close to having that kind of money. I read somewhere that this wasn't the debt of a servant, it was the ransom or price of a king. Of course, he could not repay it. But, out of compassion (v.27), the master forgave him the incredible debt that he owed.
A fellow servant owed the now-forgiven servant one hundred denarii. About two thousand dollars. In comparison, to twenty billion dollars, two thousand dollars is a very small, almost insignificant amount. Yet the forgiven servant was himself unwilling to forgive even a penny of it.
Forgiveness requires a compassion. Even though we may feel hurt or offended by someone, until, out of compassion, we recognize their need to be forgiven above our own self-interest and pride, we can not forgive. A heart of compassion was found in our Master and must also be found in us.
Forgiveness requires a comparison. Only when we look at the incredible sin debt from which the Master has released each one of us, can we see the comparatively small price of forgiveness that is sometimes required from us by another person. God the Father was willing to pay the price of a King, His Son Jesus Christ, to forgive our debt. So, if a Master forgives a servant a great debt, how much more should that same servant be willing to forgive a fellow servant of a lesser debt?
Forgiveness requires a cancellation. There can be no score keeping of how many times we have been wronged or offended. No matter what it might cost us, we should always be willing, seven times or seventy times seven, to pay the price of forgiveness.
Sock Monkey Snippet: The price of our forgiveness was the price of a King.
Monday, August 15, 2011
An Eternal Reward
Mt. 6:3,4 "But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."
Which would you rather have, an earthly reputation or an eternal reward? Jesus explains that the motive we have for doing charitable deeds (giving alms) will determine which one we receive.
Hypocrites (v.2), literally those hiding behind masks like actors, are those whose true motives are not in seeing the needs of others met but rather in seeing that their own needs for attention are met. Their giving is out of conceit and not compassion. Their glory, obtained through the praise of men, is more important to them than God's glory. Have you ever been around someone who likes to toot their own horn (sound a trumpet)? Jesus said their reward will be, at best, nothing more than an earthly reputation. The praise of men is all they will get. It is their one-time payment in full. Notice that Scripture says it is their reward not His.
Our motive and primary concern in doing charitable deeds should be to glorify God through a sincere compassion for others, without drawing attention to ourselves. In other words, doing them secretly, without letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing. From God (v.4) instead of man, we will then receive not the one-time payment that a master gives a servant but the abundant, limitless and everlasting blessing that a loving heavenly Father gives to His child. We will receive His reward, an eternal reward!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Our motive will determine whether we receive an earthly reputation or an eternal reward.
Which would you rather have, an earthly reputation or an eternal reward? Jesus explains that the motive we have for doing charitable deeds (giving alms) will determine which one we receive.
Hypocrites (v.2), literally those hiding behind masks like actors, are those whose true motives are not in seeing the needs of others met but rather in seeing that their own needs for attention are met. Their giving is out of conceit and not compassion. Their glory, obtained through the praise of men, is more important to them than God's glory. Have you ever been around someone who likes to toot their own horn (sound a trumpet)? Jesus said their reward will be, at best, nothing more than an earthly reputation. The praise of men is all they will get. It is their one-time payment in full. Notice that Scripture says it is their reward not His.
Our motive and primary concern in doing charitable deeds should be to glorify God through a sincere compassion for others, without drawing attention to ourselves. In other words, doing them secretly, without letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing. From God (v.4) instead of man, we will then receive not the one-time payment that a master gives a servant but the abundant, limitless and everlasting blessing that a loving heavenly Father gives to His child. We will receive His reward, an eternal reward!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Our motive will determine whether we receive an earthly reputation or an eternal reward.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
An Excellent Spirit
Dan. 6:3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
There were one hundred and twenty satraps and three governors in the government of King Darius. But one, Daniel, stood out. Something about him caused him to be preferred or placed in rank and office above all the others. An excellent spirit.
The Latin Vulgate translates it as Spiritus Dei Amplior, the Spirit of God more abundantly. The spirit in Daniel was overwhelmingly noticeable and it made a difference in his life and eventually brought him before the king. The word "excellent" literally means hanging over, abundant, more than enough and great. Yes, that's the Spirit of God!
As believers, the Spirit of God dwells abundantly within each one of us (Rom. 8:9, 1Cor. 3:16) and will distinguish us, too. Scripture tells us (2Tim. 1:7) that the spirit that God has given us is characterized by power, love and sound judgment. Power or boldness to overcome any and all obstacles with a holy courage. Love not based on feelings but by a determined will. A totally consuming and self-sacrificing love for God. And a disciplined, sober, well balanced mind demonstrating sound judgment.
If we walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1), the same power, love and sound judgment, the same excellent spirit evident in Daniel, I believe, will be overwhelmingly noticeable and distinguishing in our lives, too. In each one of us dwells an excellent spirit!
Sock Monkey Snippet: In each one of us dwells an excellent spirit.
There were one hundred and twenty satraps and three governors in the government of King Darius. But one, Daniel, stood out. Something about him caused him to be preferred or placed in rank and office above all the others. An excellent spirit.
The Latin Vulgate translates it as Spiritus Dei Amplior, the Spirit of God more abundantly. The spirit in Daniel was overwhelmingly noticeable and it made a difference in his life and eventually brought him before the king. The word "excellent" literally means hanging over, abundant, more than enough and great. Yes, that's the Spirit of God!
As believers, the Spirit of God dwells abundantly within each one of us (Rom. 8:9, 1Cor. 3:16) and will distinguish us, too. Scripture tells us (2Tim. 1:7) that the spirit that God has given us is characterized by power, love and sound judgment. Power or boldness to overcome any and all obstacles with a holy courage. Love not based on feelings but by a determined will. A totally consuming and self-sacrificing love for God. And a disciplined, sober, well balanced mind demonstrating sound judgment.
If we walk in the Spirit (Rom. 8:1), the same power, love and sound judgment, the same excellent spirit evident in Daniel, I believe, will be overwhelmingly noticeable and distinguishing in our lives, too. In each one of us dwells an excellent spirit!
Sock Monkey Snippet: In each one of us dwells an excellent spirit.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Whatever We Do
Col. 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Whatever we do. That pretty much covers everything. No matter what it is. When we speak or act, we are instructed to do so heartily (v.23) and in His name. Acknowledging His name causes us to remember who we are.
We are dependents on Him and without Him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). A dependent humbly and rightfully recognizes the source of all he has and is.
We are also representatives of Him and we carry His authority and His power (Eph. 3:20). That power, in us, enables Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. He has equipped us to do mighty things (Dan. 11:32)! To say or do something halfheartedly is to diminish the fullness of His power that resides in us and can work through us. An effective representative heartily utilizes all the authority and power given to him.
Our aim is to glorify (1Cor. 10:31) and please God with our lives. Each new day presents us with unique opportunities to give thanks and glory to the Father by our words and actions in the name of His amazing Son. Knowing that we serve Him (Col. 3:24) should cause us to do so humbly, as a dependent, with nothing less than our best effort and heartily, as a representative, in the fullness of His power. Whatever we do!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Serve Him humbly and heartily every day in whatever you do.
Whatever we do. That pretty much covers everything. No matter what it is. When we speak or act, we are instructed to do so heartily (v.23) and in His name. Acknowledging His name causes us to remember who we are.
We are dependents on Him and without Him we can do nothing (Jn. 15:5). A dependent humbly and rightfully recognizes the source of all he has and is.
We are also representatives of Him and we carry His authority and His power (Eph. 3:20). That power, in us, enables Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. He has equipped us to do mighty things (Dan. 11:32)! To say or do something halfheartedly is to diminish the fullness of His power that resides in us and can work through us. An effective representative heartily utilizes all the authority and power given to him. Our aim is to glorify (1Cor. 10:31) and please God with our lives. Each new day presents us with unique opportunities to give thanks and glory to the Father by our words and actions in the name of His amazing Son. Knowing that we serve Him (Col. 3:24) should cause us to do so humbly, as a dependent, with nothing less than our best effort and heartily, as a representative, in the fullness of His power. Whatever we do!
Sock Monkey Snippet: Serve Him humbly and heartily every day in whatever you do.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Taking Inventory
Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things. (NIV)
In my opinion, this is one of those verses in the NIV Bible that is easily misunderstood or not understood at all simply because of the translation. Listed are six "whatever" things that Paul says we should meditate (NIV) on. Okay, so whenever I have the opportunity I should think about things that fall into any one of these six categories, conclude my thought process at some point and then get on with my day, right? Not exactly.
The word meditate (logizomai) means to pay close attention to, not to think about but rather to think on, to study intending to put into practice, to take inventory. What we have here is a checklist of six attributes that Paul says should be evident in our lives and in the lives of all Christians. He instructs us, essentially, to take an inventory of ourselves.
Do you keep your promises, fulfill your obligations, honor your friendships and speak without lying or deceiving? Then you are true. Are you honest, law abiding and respected by others? Then you are noble. Are you fair, equitable and of unquestionable integrity? Then you are just. Do you strive to lead a holy, sinless life in thought and deed? Then you are pure. Are you kind, friendly and lovable? Do you have a temperament others can love? Not sour or crabby? Then you are lovely. Are you gracious, courteous, respectful (especially to your parents)? Do you have a good reputation? Then you are of good report.
Not a bad self-examination, I think. So, how did you do when taking inventory?
Sock Monkey Snippet: Pay close attention to the "whatever" things.
In my opinion, this is one of those verses in the NIV Bible that is easily misunderstood or not understood at all simply because of the translation. Listed are six "whatever" things that Paul says we should meditate (NIV) on. Okay, so whenever I have the opportunity I should think about things that fall into any one of these six categories, conclude my thought process at some point and then get on with my day, right? Not exactly.
The word meditate (logizomai) means to pay close attention to, not to think about but rather to think on, to study intending to put into practice, to take inventory. What we have here is a checklist of six attributes that Paul says should be evident in our lives and in the lives of all Christians. He instructs us, essentially, to take an inventory of ourselves.
Not a bad self-examination, I think. So, how did you do when taking inventory?
Sock Monkey Snippet: Pay close attention to the "whatever" things.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Time Management
2 Pet. 3:8 But beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.
Successful, productive people almost always practice effective time management. They make the most of every minute squeezing a sometimes seemingly infinite number of tasks into a finite amount of time. They have to manage their time because they are constrained by it. Also, the things they do and the decisions they make need to be timely. The timing is every bit as important as the task or the decision. Timing truly is everything.
God however, and as we see here, is not bound by the constraints of time. Time does not limit or control Him. He controls it. He functions in and from the boundless, immeasurable realm of eternity. From our human perspective of time, He can work quickly or He can be long suffering and move slowly. But with God the issue is never about getting things done in a certain amount of time. It is about getting them done at exactly the right time. In due season. In the fullness of time. Not according to any human deadline. God is usually never early according to our schedule but never late according to His.
When we look expectantly in faith, trusting God to help us in times of trouble or suffering, we must understand that although a single day may seem like a thousand years to us under these circumstances, God will always deliver us at exactly the right time. Not a minute before or a minute after. Now that's time management!
Sock Monkey Snippet: God will always deliver us at exactly the right time.
Successful, productive people almost always practice effective time management. They make the most of every minute squeezing a sometimes seemingly infinite number of tasks into a finite amount of time. They have to manage their time because they are constrained by it. Also, the things they do and the decisions they make need to be timely. The timing is every bit as important as the task or the decision. Timing truly is everything.God however, and as we see here, is not bound by the constraints of time. Time does not limit or control Him. He controls it. He functions in and from the boundless, immeasurable realm of eternity. From our human perspective of time, He can work quickly or He can be long suffering and move slowly. But with God the issue is never about getting things done in a certain amount of time. It is about getting them done at exactly the right time. In due season. In the fullness of time. Not according to any human deadline. God is usually never early according to our schedule but never late according to His.
When we look expectantly in faith, trusting God to help us in times of trouble or suffering, we must understand that although a single day may seem like a thousand years to us under these circumstances, God will always deliver us at exactly the right time. Not a minute before or a minute after. Now that's time management!
Sock Monkey Snippet: God will always deliver us at exactly the right time.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Treated to a Feast
Ps. 23:5 You treat me to a feast, while my enemies watch. (CEV)
My daughter and son-in-law came home to visit us this weekend. As a 28th wedding anniversary blessing for my wife and I (and son), they treated us to an elegant dinner out on Saturday evening. I'm not talking a meager meal of burgers and fries. I'm talking a feast with steak and all the fixings.
It has been a difficult year so far for my wife and I. It seems like our enemy, the devil, has been just throwing one thing after another at us. We're definitely in a fight. I've tried my best to see God in the midst of all our trials. Admittedly, at times it hasn't been easy.
But I couldn't help but see that here we were on Saturday night not struggling or lacking but rather feasting. While the devil looked on. Try as he might, he couldn't prevent it, he was forced to watch it and he understood that God provided it. Through our children. We were definitely treated to a feast while the enemy watched. In your face, devil!
The whole weekend, not just the meal itself, was a feast. Despite our circumstances, it was a wonderful anniversary. Spending time with family, even for a few short days, when so many families are broken, divided or apart for one reason or another was a full-course blessing all by itself. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Thanks Stephanie and Mike. Not just for the exquisite meal, but for your love, God's love. And for letting me see that, in spite of our enemy, God can and will put a feast right in front of us. God bless you both!
Sock Monkey Snippet: In the midst of the fight, look for the feast.
My daughter and son-in-law came home to visit us this weekend. As a 28th wedding anniversary blessing for my wife and I (and son), they treated us to an elegant dinner out on Saturday evening. I'm not talking a meager meal of burgers and fries. I'm talking a feast with steak and all the fixings.
It has been a difficult year so far for my wife and I. It seems like our enemy, the devil, has been just throwing one thing after another at us. We're definitely in a fight. I've tried my best to see God in the midst of all our trials. Admittedly, at times it hasn't been easy.
But I couldn't help but see that here we were on Saturday night not struggling or lacking but rather feasting. While the devil looked on. Try as he might, he couldn't prevent it, he was forced to watch it and he understood that God provided it. Through our children. We were definitely treated to a feast while the enemy watched. In your face, devil!
The whole weekend, not just the meal itself, was a feast. Despite our circumstances, it was a wonderful anniversary. Spending time with family, even for a few short days, when so many families are broken, divided or apart for one reason or another was a full-course blessing all by itself. I enjoyed every minute of it.Thanks Stephanie and Mike. Not just for the exquisite meal, but for your love, God's love. And for letting me see that, in spite of our enemy, God can and will put a feast right in front of us. God bless you both!
Sock Monkey Snippet: In the midst of the fight, look for the feast.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)