firm faith and a right point of view

Happy Thursday. Take a look with me at 1 Samuel 17:32-50:

“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth."

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! ³⁷ The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
Then Saul gave David his own armor—a bronze helmet and a coat of mail. David put it on, strapped the sword over it, and took a step or two to see what it was like, for he had never worn such things before. “I can’t go in these,” he protested to Saul. “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off again.

He picked up five smooth stones from a stream and put them into his shepherd’s bag. Then, armed only with his shepherd’s staff and sling, he started across the valley to fight the Philistine.
Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. “Am I a dog,” he roared at David, “that you come at me with a stick?” And he cursed David by the names of his gods.“Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” Goliath yelled.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd’s bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground.
So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. Then David ran over and pulled Goliath’s sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. 

[photo credit]

Powerful little read!!! 

I covet David's unwavering faith. His was firm because he knew His God. I feel so foolish as I remember all the times that I lacked faith in my God. I know so many who have shared in my folly. May we (especially me) not lack common sense in our faith. For it is reasonable and logical to wholly trust God in all circumstances. 

David's perspective is admirable as well. When He realized Goliath's size, he didn't run or hide, he didn't quit or manipulate a way out. David did not put excuses or obstacles to forfeit the task. His perspective wasn't dictated by the monstrous size of his trouble. His perspective wasn't determined by his ability, training, or knowledge. His point of view was God. Oh that our eyes would always be fixed on the One who is greater than our dilemma. 

Praying for us, that our faith would be firm and our eyes on the Lord. 



Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm. Isaiah 7:9
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. Psalm 119:18
My eyes are always on the Lord, for He rescues me from the traps of my enemies. Psalm 25:15
I lift my eyes to you, O God, enthroned in heaven. We keep looking to the Lord our God for his mercy, just as servants keep their eyes on their master,  as a slave girl watches her mistress for the slightest signal. Psalm 123:1-2

Sentence Tuesday

The only thing that ever hinders peace 

is when we refuse to surrender our troubles to God.

—Jack Hayford

one of those days.

[photo credit]

time is 12:30 noon
And thus far, it's been one of those days. What could have gone wrong, did go wrong. I sat in a waiting room for over two hours, that's a lot of thinking. The aftermath: disappointment, feelings of inadequacy and an overwhelming sense of failure. Once I was tired of beating myself up, I remembered the Lord. Good thing my handy dandy iPhone was fully charged. And off to the YouVersion bible app I went. My lot for the day, thanks to the integrity bible plan, was in Psalm 25. 
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In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.I trust in you; 
do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 
No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, 
but shame will come on those  who are treacherous without cause. 
Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. 
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, 
and my hope is in you all day long. 
Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. 
Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; 
according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good. 
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. 
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. 
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful 
toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.  
For the sake of your name, Lord,  forgive my iniquity, though it is great. 
Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? 
He will instruct them in the ways they should choose. 
They will spend their days in prosperity, 
and their descendants will inherit the land.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. 
My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies. 
Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.
 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!
Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. 
See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! 
Protect me! Rescue my life from them! 
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. 
May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you. 
O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles. 
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My day has been pretty crappy and I definitely identified with verse 17, "my problems go from bad to worse" but I will choose to do verses 20 and 21. I am taking refuge in the Lord and placing my hope in Him. This Psalm definitely calmed me and reminded me to anchor my trust in God.
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 I don't know if you are having one of those days, weeks, months or even years. But I do know that it' is normal to experience the lows of life. And for every low in life, there is a high hope found in God's word. For me today, the high hope was found in Psalm 25. I encourage you to seek for an anchor, a high hope, a word fitly spoken for your specific situation. You may not find a hopeful word immediately, but I promise you that the search will be successful. God will answer and not forsake you.

sentence tuesday

No matter what you're facing or 

what uncertainty is in front of you, 

know this: God is in control. 

-James MacDonald 

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raging seas

Hi Readers.
Today's post comes from one of my top 3 favorites stories about Jesus. In Mark 4:35-41 we read about Jesus calming a raging storm while out at sea. Let's read:

As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.” So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” The disciples were absolutely terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!”

I absolutely adore this story. I can't even begin to imagine how terrifying this experience was. I often times wonder: WWRHD- What would Raquel have done? I would have thrown some people over... for sure, let's take some weight off this sinking boat. OR better yet, start sprinting over water (ha ha)... after all, they were only going to the other side of the lake. But thank the Lord that I was not living in Biblical times nor was I a Biblical character.

The simplicity of this story is immeasurably profound.
Let's take a look at the storm.
Obviously no one forecasting a storm would carry on in a boat. This storm was a sudden happening, unforeseen and hellish. At times trials and tribulations come our way much like this storm, out of no where.

Let's take a look at the boat(s).
I am reminded through this passage that no one is exempt from storms. Remember, there were other boats with them. In a strange way, this is comforting. I am not alone in my suffering or in my moments of desperation. Every one has trials of their own, everyone is going through some sort of storm. We are not alone!

Let's take a look at the Disciples.
There really is nothing luxurious about these men. They were mere humans in need of Jesus. This is of great encouragement to me. These men had the Prince of Peace on their boat and what did they do? They ran to him whining! My goodness, how many times don't we do that. I know I do. Rather than seeking the Lord we look to Him with the 'why me' attitude. Or the 'don't you care about me' cry. I don't want to be that Christian. That's ugly. I want to run to Jesus for who He is: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let's not forget what Jesus tells them upon calming the storm, "How is it that you have no faith?" These men had seen miracles and wonders, yet they feared and were even amazed that Jesus calmed the storm. Oh, that we would never fear but be clothed with strength and dignity, laughing without fear of the future (Proverbs 31:25) because we know who holds our future. And may we always have that childlike wonder when it comes to the things of God.
Let's take a look at Jesus. Honestly, my favorite part of this story is that Jesus is sleeping during the storm. This always cracks me up. Though I do find it funny, I sometimes feel like "Hey Jesus, are you sleeping?" Time and Time again this portion of the Bible reveals to me that Jesus is God. He arose and spoke. That's all it took. There is power in His Words. During my "storm" am I seeking His word? Am I going to Him to hear Him speak or only to demand and ask of things like a bratty 5 year old?

Finally, let's take a look at the wind and waves.
The New King James Version says that the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Did you get that, God spoke and BAM, a great calm. When God speaks into our lives, no matter how great the "storm" there can be a great calm. For it is only in His Words, that you and I can find comfort, peace, direction, revelation, hope, encouragement, strength and so much more. It also amazes me, how quickly the wind and waves obeyed. No procrastination. No grumbling. No conditions. The wind just stopped. The waves calmed. When God speaks, do I obey immediately? Do you?

Overall, this short little story challenges me to trust God with my life and to obey Him. Imagine living such a life of unshakable faith and immediate obedience in the midst of difficult, trying times... Those around us without a doubt will be asking, "who is this man?" Praying that in all things, our life would point others to Jesus.

They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits’ end.
“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.

He calmed the storm to a whisper

and stilled the waves.

What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!
Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
Psalm 107:27-31