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Don’t Ask “Why?” Trust God

Some things are just beyond our understanding and we must trust God

There are moments in life that we just are not able to understand. In those moments it is hard to just trust God. Life feels out of control and you can’t stop it. But those are the very moments that we need to trust God and know He has everything in His control.

Job found himself in such a situation. Even though he was a righteous man, God allowed Satan to bring about utter destruction in Job’s life. It’s only natural to question such a thing and want to know why. Job was not different. He wanted to know why so much suffering had been heaped on him. 

In Job 16:12-14 Job questioned God’s actions. But as God informs Job about His ordering of the world, Job capitulates and he comes to understand the powerfulness of God and understands that there is nothing God cannot do. When we know this, it can be even more difficult to wonder why God doesn’t heal our loved one or doesn’t seem to answer a certain prayer request. Or why he allows world-wide pandemics. We, like Job, want to ask “Why?!” Instead, we need to trust God who is both omnipotent and omniscient.

If we Trust God, we know God’s got it! He doesn’t need our help.

Whenever we begin to wonder if God is at work, we are tempted to step in and help God achieve His plans and His purposes. In other words, we don’t trust God. We think that because things are out of control in our lives, that God doesn’t have control. So we cry out asking “Why?!” and we go to working trying to help Him fix our problems. However, when we do, we just make a even bigger mess of things.

Abraham and Sarah

Sarah and Abraham did this when Sarah told Abraham to have a child by her maid. Abraham agreed and Ishmael was born – but that wasn’t God’s promise. His promise was that Sarah would have a son and through her son all the nations would be blessed. It would be through her son that the nation of Israel would come to be and through that nation, David would rule and through David’s family tree, Jesus would be born who would save people from their sins. That was God’s plan.

Rebecca, Isaac, Jacob, and Esau

In Genesis 27, we find four Biblical characters that tried to accomplish God’s plan their way. God told Rebecca that when she gave birth to twins, the older would serve the younger, but instead of trusting God’s plan, they get sneaky. Isaac, despite what God had said, tried to bestow the family blessing on Esau. Esau tried to take back what he had already sold to his brother Jacob. Rebecca deceives Isaac and tricks him into blessing her favorite son, Jacob. Jacob lied to his father and outsmarted his brother. As a result, Jacob has to flee from his brother’s wrath and he never sees his mother alive again.

Omnipotent and Omniscient God has a plan and a purpose

We need to learn, like Job, that God can do anything and everything. He doesn’t need our help. We may not understand what God is up to or why He allows certain things. But we can trust God has a plan and purpose. We don’t always have to know why. God wants us to trust Him.

We need to learn, like Job, that God can do everything. There is no impossible for Him. He doesn’t need our help. We don’t always have to know why. God wants us to trust Him.

When we cry out to God, “Why!?” God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). And in Isaiah 46:11  God says, “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” We can trust that God always has a plan and He will see that it is carried out. He doesn’t need our help to accomplish His plans for us. In fact, if something is God’s plan – there is nothing that will stop it from happening and if it isn’t His plan, He will intervene to stop it. Whatever life brings us – every single moment and every single event – must pass through the hand of God before it ever reaches us.

We can trust that God always as a plan and He will see that it is carried out. Every single moment and every single event in our lives must pass through the hand of God before it ever reaches us.

Nothing happens in our lives without it going through God first

We know this is true because the book of Job opens up with Satan appearing before God. God asks Satan what he’s been up to and Satan says, “Roaming back and forth throughout the earth.” Now, God is omniscient (all-knowing). He doesn’t ask because He doesn’t know what Satan’s been doing and He also knows exactly why Satan is there.

God says, “Have you seen my servant Job? There is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil.”

Satan responds, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” In the verse that follows God allows Satan to tempt Job by doing whatever he wants to Job, only He can’t touch Job’s person. When this doesn’t work to make Job curse God, Satan comes back to God again and then God allows Satan to touch Job himself, but Satan cannot kill Job. Through all that Job goes through – he does not curse God. But he does ask why. He wants God to explain why all this happens, but He does not curse Him

God Reveals His omnipotence

It is not until we reach chapter 38 that God reveals His omnipotence to Job. He begins with a round of questions to Job that challenges his understanding of the Lord’s creative power (verses 4-15). He then challenges Job’s experiential knowledge of the earth based on Job’s limited travels could not include going into the depths sea. Nor had he seen the gates of death and he had not passed through them (verses 16-18). God then reminds Job that Job was not yet born when God commanded the light into being (verses 19-21).

God’s questions and challenges to Job continue through chapter 39 and then in chapter 40, verse 2, God says, “Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?” Job’s only response is to admit his criticism was groundless. He says to God, “Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” God continues to challenge Job. And then we come to chapter 42 where we find that Job repents.

Job learns God can do everything

In verse 2, Job says, “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from you.” Job confesses God’s rightful sovereignty over all matters – even the situation Job found himself in. He learned that in all of God’s wise handling of the physical and natural worlds, his questioning of God was beyond his understanding and experience and it is beyond ours too. In verse 6 of Job 42, we find that Job was humbled that the Lord of the universe had granted him his greatest wish and spoke to him, reestablished fellowship with him, and with genuine repentance, he stopped relying on himself and began fully relying on God.

Job’s questioning of God was beyond Job’s understanding & experience & it is beyond ours too.

Stop helping God manage your situation and rely on your omnipotent God

Whatever you are trying to help God accomplish or whatever you are asking “Why?” about, let it go and learn to rely on the God who ordered the universe and holds it all (including you) in the palm of His hand. He has everything in control – even when it all seems out of control. Sometimes we don’t ever get the answer to “Why” but we can always know that God is working everything out for our good because He has good plans for us.

When Job stopped relying on himself, he began fully relying on God. We also need to rely on the God who ordered the universe and holds it all (including you) in the palm of His hand.

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Rejoice with Mary

Week 3 of Advent: Rejoice

We can rejoice when we obey God’s unconventional and extraordinary plan

The Christmas story is certain one we can rejoice and praise God for His unconditional love that was displayed in His unconventional and extraordinary plan. But it was a plan that came with costs. How often do we read or think about the Christmas story but don’t really stop to think about what Mary’s obedience would cost her. But we find in Luke 1, that Mary chooses obedience over costs. But she doesn’t obey in reluctance. Instead we find her obedient heart sings praise to God. Because of her obedience, we today are able to rejoice with the steadfast hope of eternal life.

Mary’s cost of Obedience

In our world, we don’t think twice about an unwed teen girl getting pregnant outside of marriage. But in Mary’s day, girls could have been stoned to death. There could have been a legal cost to her obedience.

Mary also was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph. So imagine having to tell Joseph that an angel showed up and said you would conceive and become pregnant without losing your virginity. Joseph’s first reaction is one that we would expect. He wanted to break of the engagement. However, he cared about Mary, and so he wanted to do it quietly. Perhaps to cause the least amount of embarrassment to her, or maybe to keep her from getting stoned to death. Either way, he demonstrated his loved and protection in choosing to do it quietly. But Joseph has his own angel experience who tells him to take Mary as his wife and that the child she carried was indeed from God. Joseph obeys and becomes the husband of Mary, but does not know her intimately until after the birth of Jesus.

Mary also faced social stigma as others realized she was pregnant. The Bible doesn’t tell us how others reacted, but she could have faced being called names and shunned. She could have been the talk of all the local gossip. Even if she told others about her conversation with an angel, who would have believed her?

Because Mary was not married at the time the angel came to see her, she would have still had to have been living at home with her parents. So she would have had the cost of having to tell her parents she was pregnant.

The costs certainly were not something to rejoice about. But yet, Mary was willing to humbly submit and obey God’s plan.

How can this be?

Now, Mary had some questions about all the angel was telling her. She asked the angel, “How can this be since I have not known a man?” Sometimes we’re afraid to ask God questions, but here Mary asks, and the angel explains. He tells her that the child she conceives will be conceived of God and that nothing is impossible for Him. I’m sure all the costs went through Mary’s mind as the angel told her what was about to happen. But despite the costs, we find Mary’s surrender and obedience to God’s plan in Luke 1:38. She says to the angel, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Here, she is simply acknowledging her willingness to be obedient. But she is also confused and does not yet rejoice about her circumstances.

What was Mary thinking?

Maybe she was thinking that no one would believe her when she told her of this experience. Maybe she was excited and humbled to be chosen by God to bare the Son of God. Or maybe she wondered if this child would be the long-awaited, promised Messiah. Did she understand the Messiah would become the sacrifice for our sins, or did she think like most people of her day that he would be a king that would overthrow the Roman government and restore the Davidic kingship.

We don’t really know what went through her head in those moments. All we can do is try to put ourselves in her shoes and imagine what she was thinking. What we do know is that God asked her to do something unconventional and extraordinary and Mary said, “Let it me to me according to your word.” In other words, she said, “Yes. I am willing. Let it happen exactly as you said.”

Can you think of a time that God wanted you to do something extraordinary? As you counted the costs did you say no to God, or did you say, “let it be to me according to your word”?

Mary was able to rejoice even when it was confusing

The angel also gave Mary the news that her cousin, Elizabeth, was pregnant. Elizabeth was older, in fact, too old to have children. And up until now, she had not had any children. But God gave her a miracle son who would be the “forerunner” to Jesus to prepare the people for the coming Messiah. For a barren woman of that day to become pregnant, was certainly something to rejoice about. So Mary decides to go visit Elizabeth and when she arrives, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb leaped for joy. The Holy Spirit reveals to Elizabeth and Mary is also pregnant and carrying the Son of God.

Elizabeth says to Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Mary then breaks forth in song and says the words that have become apart of just about every Christmas script:

“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” (Luke 1:46-47)

The cost to Mary hadn’t changed. She may still not have fully understood all that God was doing in her life. She may not have realized that this first born child of hers would one day be beaten beyond recognition, nailed to a cross, die, and then rise again. But her confusion changed and she was able to rejoice and praise God for what she was going through even though the costs were still there.

What made the difference?

Mary had learned to trust God so she could rejoice even in difficult times

Mary was the daughter of poor parents, but it was a godly home. For her, life was hard, but God is good. She was just as human as you or I and we must be careful not to exalt her to a position that she is not. She might not have had any idea how things would turn out, but she trusted God to do what He said and to do the impossible. Because she trusted God, she was fully read to surrender in obedience to His plan.

When we trust God we can rejoice in His unconventional and extraordinary plans regardless of the costs.

Mary had already made the choices that prepared her for God’s plan

In verses 27 and 34, the Bible tells us that Mary was a virgin. She was engaged to Joseph, but they had made the decision to maintain moral purity until married. Despite there being laws in place that could have resulted in her being stoned to death, there were still prostitutes and people struggled just as much to wait until marriage as they do today. But Mary chose to stay pure and chaste. In doing so, she not only honored herself and Joseph, but she also honored God.

Mary’s choice of purity put her in just the right position for God to select her for His plan that was both unconventional and extraordinary. 2 Timothy 2:21 says, “So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” Mary chose to remain chaste and pure and a chaste and pure girl is exactly what God needed to fulfill His plan to send His own Son into the world to save us from our sins.

For Jesus to be both 100% God and 100% human he had to have been born to a virgin and conceived by God, it is the only way for him to be both. Had Mary not have been a virgin, there would have always been the question of who was Jesus’ father. Because she was a virgin, the only answer is God did the impossible in an unconventional and extraordinary way.

When we live pure lives according to God’s commandments, we can rejoice when God asks us to do the unconventional and extraordinary plans for our lives.

Mary could rejoice because she knew the true identity of her Son

Sometimes when God asks us to do the unconventional and extraordinary He gives us very little information, such as when He told Abraham to pack up his family and move. But God didn’t tell Abraham where. Abraham just had to trust God to get him there. Other times, God let’s us in on his plans and provides more information. Listen to the angel telling Mary God’s plan:

“Then the angel told her: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Now listen: You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will call His name JESUS. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.”

Mary heard those titles: Jesus (“Jehovah is salvation”), Son of the Most High, Messiah. Before anyone else on earth knew who He was or why He came, Mary knew. She understood the purpose of her pregnancy and all the scandal in the world could not change that. When she weighed the costs, she knew that there was a grater cost to every man woman and child throughout all of history if she did not surrender to God’s plan.

Whether God let’s in on the details of his plan like Mary, or keeps us in uncertainty like Abraham, we can step out in faith to obey God and rejoice in what He is doing in our lives.

Rejoice in God my Savior

John the Baptist is often thought of as the first evangelist, but Mary, a poor, plain, teenaged girl was the first evangelist of all. And she told the Gospel first in song as her awe that God would choose her for the Messiah broke into a song of praise. Her song is recorded for all eternity in Luke 1:46-55:

46 “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
    For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
    and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
    from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
    he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
    and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
    and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
    to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Because of Mary’s surrender and obedience to God’ unconventional and extraordinary plan, we all can rejoice.

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What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
  • Conversation Starters.
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
  • Romance Builders.
  • Relationship Builders.
  • Personal reflections.
  • Date ideas.
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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Walk by Faith (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Life is a journey that we walk by faith

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Life is a journey, not a destination.” While each one of us on a journey in life, that journey does lead to a destination – either eternal life in heaven, or eternal torment in hell. But 2 Corinthians 5:7, focuses on the journey. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and said, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Every Christian must choose with path their journey will take – the path of life or the path of sight. Walking by faith is like taking journey with a blindfold on and trusting God to get you He’s leading you. But if you walk by sight, then you need to see the path and each step along the way.

Those who walked before us

The Bible provides us with examples of people who walked by faith – people like Abraham, Noah, Joseph, and Daniel. From them we can see what the journey of faith is supposed to be like.

Abraham:

Abraham teaches us that to walk by faith is a journey into the unknown

In Genesis 12, God tells Abraham that He wants him to leave his home and go to a place God will show him. What we don’t see in the Bible is Abraham questioning God about this place. Abraham doesn’t say, “But God, will this place be good for raising sheep?” Or “But God, what shall I pack?” Abraham doesn’t ask “But God, what dangers will be there or along the way?” Or, “God, how will I support myself along the way?”

We also do not see Abraham getting the advice from friends or relatives. (Not that getting advice is a bad thing. In fact, in Proverbs 12:15, Solomon wrote: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” For Abraham, he knew that it was God  speaking to Him so he did not need the advice of man.) No, the Bible says in verse four, “So Abram went, as the Lord told him.”

He simply obeyed.

Abraham teaches us that to walk by faith, there is often a cost

Think for a moment about what it would you to just pack up and move to a place and not even knowing where you were moving to. For Abraham, it cost him his home, friends, and family. It meant leaving everything behind that was comfortable and familiar to take a step in a place of uncertainty. Not knowing if this place would be close enough to come visit friends and family from time to time or if you’d never see them again.

Abraham teaches us that to walk by faith means we don’t always get all the details

It wouldn’t be much of a walk by faith if God gave Abraham every little detail. It’s the fact that we don’t know that makes it a walk of faith. If God says, “Go” we go and then trust Him to lead us exactly where He wants us to be. Sometimes, God lets us know what He wants us to do, but then gives only the details we need to know in that moment and we just have to trust Him that He will lead us to the next step and then let us know what we need to know then.

Abraham teaches us that obediently walking by faith brings the blessings and fulfillment of God’s promises.

As God called Abraham to go by faith to a place He would show him, God make him seven promises that He would fulfill if Abraham obeyed. We can find these promises in the first three verses of Genesis 12. God said: “I will make you a great nation.” “I will bless you.” I will “make your name great.” “You shall be a blessing.” “I will bless those who bless you.” “I will curse those who curse you.” “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Noah:

Noah teaches us that to walk by faith means we obey, even if we don’t understand.

God told Noah to build a boat on dry ground because God was going to send rain to destroy the earth because of how wicked and sinful the people had become. Up to this point it had never rained before. So Noah couldn’t have possibly understood what rain was and if you don’t understand what rain is, then its likely you don’t understand the reasoning for building a very big boat on very dry ground.

Noah teaches us that to walk by faith means people will laugh in our face and make fun of us

Imagine the scene for a moment. They walk by Noah’s place and notice he’s building something. Someone walks up and says, “Hey, Noah. What ‘cha buildin?” Noah says, “A boat.”

The inquirer looks around him, scratches his had and thinks he’s misunderstood. “A what?” he asks. “A boat.” Noah says.

Again the inquirer looks around. “Did you say a boat?”

Calmly Noah says, “Yes.”

The inquirer’s jaw drops. “Well Noah, are you insane? Why are you building a boat here…on dry ground. There’s no water here to launch a boat.”

Without stopping his work, Noah answers, “Because God is going to send rain and flood the earth to destroy it.”

The inquirer laughs. “Rain? What is rain? We’ve never seen anything called rain before.”

The conversation continues until the inquirer walks away laughing and telling everyone he sees that Noah is building a boat a dry ground because its going to rain. Then everyone has to come by to see for themselves and they all sneer, laugh, and make fun of Noah…and this goes on for years and years until the boat was completed, the animals loaded, Noah’s family safely inside, and the first drop of rain fell from the sky.

Noah teaches us that there is safety in walking by faith

Because Noah obeyed God, Noah and his family was led into the ark and they were the only people to survive the flood and God re-started the human race through Noah and his sons. If Noah had not of obeyed, the rains and floods would have still come, but Noah and his family would have perished along with everyone else. Walking by faith can sometimes seem scary because of the unknowns, but there is always safety in walking by faith.

Joseph:

Joseph teaches us that God initiates the walk of faith

Before Joseph has to learn to walk by faith and trust God, God gives him dreams that let Joseph know that God is at work. Joseph didn’t reach out to God and say, “Hey God, why don’t one day in the future, you allow me to be used by you to save my entire family.” Instead, God gives Joseph dreams that hints at what Joseph will one day become.

Joseph teaches us that when God gives us a dream, we need to cling to it and by faith trust God to bring them into full fruition – even when you’ve been rejected, sold out, accused of thing not true, and forgotten.

Joseph’s own brothers threw him in pit. Most of them wanted to kill him, but the oldest came up with the plan to throw him in the pit. He thought that when the other brothers were distracted, he would rescue Joseph and send him back home – but while he was away, the other brothers sold him as a slave.

He lands in Egypt and is bought by Potiphar. Over time, he works his way up the ranks in Potiphar’s house until he catches the eye of Potiphar’s wife who wants to sleep with him. Joseph runs away but in the process his outer garment is left in Mrs. Potiphar’s hand. Angry that Joseph would refuse her, she waits until her husband comes home and then claims Joseph attacked her, which lands Joseph in prison.

Sometime later, Pharaoh tosses his chief baker and cup bearer in jail. They have dreams but can’t figure out what they mean. Joseph explains it to them and things happen exactly the way Joseph said. He asks the one restored to his position to remember him and tell Pharaoh that he is innocent and doesn’t belong in jail. But the guy forgets all about Joseph until Pharaoh has a couple of dreams and no one can explain them to him – then the cup bearer remembered Joseph and Joseph was brought out of prison and before Pharaoh

Joseph teaches us that when we walk by faith, God is always with us

Over and over again in the story of Joseph’s life, the Bible tells us that God was with Joseph. He was with Joseph in Potiphar’s house. God was with Joseph in jail. He was with Joseph before Pharaoh as God revealed the meaning of the dreams to Joseph. God was with Joseph as He gave him the wisdom to plan for the famine that was coming. And God was with him when Pharaoh made him second in command of the entire nations of Egypt.

Joseph teaches us that walking by faith doesn’t always mean the path is easy.

Remember that before Joseph made to 2nd in command, he was hated by his brothers who were jealous of him and planned to murder him, thrown into a pit, and sold into slavery. Just when it looked like life was turning around for him and he was placed in charge of all of Potiphar’s house, Mrs. Potiphar takes a liking to Joseph and accuses him of attempted rape which lands Joseph into prison. There is he is forgotten, until the exact moment in time for what God had placed Joseph in Egypt for in the first place. The path to get to that moment was not pleasant, but it set Joseph up for coming before Pharaoh.

Joseph teaches us that walking by faith means never rejecting God

Joseph had been torn away from his family – a family that had taught him about God. Even when he was sold into another country with very different religious beliefs, Joseph never gave up his own beliefs about God nor did he reject his belief to take up believing in the false gods of the Egyptians. In fact, he was a witness to the Egyptians as he lived a life of integrity and telling others that his God was with him.

Daniel:

Daniel teaches us that walking by faith means not defiling ourselves with sin.

In the book of Daniel, we find that Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians. King Nebuchadnezzar chose the “best of the best” of the captives who would spend three years training and learning the Babylonian language so that they could serve in the King’s court. These chosen men were given the best food and wine from the kings table, but in verse 8 we see that “Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank.”

God had given the Israelite specific instructions about what they could and could not eat. Daniel may have been a captive, but he still chose not to defile himself and eat what God had said they should not. He chose not to do what everyone else was doing and to honor God’s instructions. Because God has commanded them to not eat certain things, had Daniel done so, it would have been sin for him.

Daniel teaches us that walking by faith means risking it all.

Daniel’s faith landed him in a den of lions. Some of the administrators of King Darius came together to plot against Daniel and got the King to sign an edict that said for 30 days no one could petition any god or man except for the king and if they were caught doing so, they would be thrown in a den of lions. As soon as Daniel heard about the edit, he went to an upper room in his home with the windows opened to Jerusalem and just as he had always done, he prayed three times a day. The administrators eagerly watched and then went back to the king to remind him of the edict he had signed and inform him that Daniel had broken the edict.

Daniel teaches us that to walk by faith means others see God in us.

King Darius was immediately displeased and he tried all day to come up with a way to save Daniel, but the administrators said, “You as king now it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.” So the king calls Daniel and just before Daniel is thrown in with the lions, the king says, “May your God whom who serve continually, rescue you!”

Daniel teaches us that walking by faith means God will rescue us.

All night, the king fasted and he couldn’t sleep. As soon as dawn came, he went to the lion’s den as quickly as possible. The Bible tells us that the king called out in anguish to Daniel, saying, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve continually been able to rescue you from the lions?” Now if it had been me, I think I would have kept quiet at least for a little bit and let the king worry and stew, but Daniel replied, “May the king live forever. My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. They haven’t hurt me, for I was found innocent before Him. Also, I have not committed a crime against you, my king.”

As long as God still has a plan for us on this earth, He will again and again come to our rescue when we are walking by faith. However, there are times when we have faithfully carried out the walk of faith and God calls us on to heaven to spend eternity with Him.

What does your walk of faith look like?

What does your walk of faith look like? If you look back over the journey you’ve been on, do you see the moment where God initiated and called you out to walk by faith? What has it cost you? Did God give you all the details up front?

Have you yet to see the blessing of God’s promises to you? Do you understand all that God has asked you to do? Who are the people that have mocked you, not believed that God would call you to such as a faith-journey? What safety have you found by walking by faith?

Are you still clinging to the dreams God gave you for this faith-journey? Where have been the times in the journey that you knew God was with you? Can you identify the times where your faith-journey has not been easy? Have you ever considered rejecting God and walking away from the faith-journey He has called you to? Have you ever considered defiling yourself with sin so that you could fit-in with those around you?

Are you willing to risk it all to be faithful to what God has called you to do? Does your faith-journey point others to God? Can you identify a time that God has rescued you?

Life is journey and we are to walk by faith

Walking by faith can be exciting at times, scary at times, uncertain at times, and difficult at times. But God has called us, as Christians, to walk by faith – totally surrendered to His will and trusting Him with every aspect of our lives. Take a few moments and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the areas where you are walking by faith and the areas where you are walking by sight. Then ask Him to blindfold you and lead you by faith where He wants you to go. Walk this journey of life…by faith.

#walkbyfaith #jouney #destination

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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

  • Scripture to memorize and meditate on
  • Conversation Starters
  • Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
  • Romance Builders
  • Relationship Builders
  • Personal reflections
  • Date ideas
  • Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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 Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.

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Exodus 14:13-14. Fear Not. Stand Still.

Jan 27 Exodus 14 13-14 KJVVisitors to the zoo were surprised to see the exhibit labeled “Coexistence” containing a lion and some lambs. The zookeeper explained there was nothing to it. “All I have to do every now and then is add a few fresh lambs.”

Unity and peace can be hard to come by at times. For the Israelites, they had been enslaved and forced to hard labor. After 10 plagues, they had finally been able to leave Egypt but they didn’t get too far down the road before Pharaoh had a change of heart and sent his army after them. The Israelites found themselves trapped between an angry Pharaoh and his army and the uncrossable Red Sea. As any of us would do, they panicked. Moses tells them there is no need to be afraid because God would fight for them…and He does! Through the miraculous parting of the Red Sea the entire Israelite nation was able to cross to the other side by walking on dry ground.

The battle to be freed from slavery was never theirs. God had been fighting for them since He called Moses by name from within the burning bush. Yet, despite the miraculous plaques, the Israelites quickly forgot all God had done for them and they became afraid and complained to Moses as soon as they saw the Egyptian army barreling down on them. Immediately, they complained to Moses saying, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness?” Just as God had a plan to bring them out of Egypt, He also had a plan to get them to the other side of the Red Sea. They had no need to panic or worry. God had it all in control.

Is there a battle you are facing in your life where God says, “Fear not, I will fight for you and you shall hold your peace?” If the battle belongs to God, then leave it with Him, hold your peace, and let Him fight for you. Trust Him. He’s got a plan and He’s got it all in control.

 

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Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:

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Ezekiel 14:6

This is what the Lord God says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your detestable things.  

Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.  Our verse last week focused on praying. For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on repentance.

#revive #renew #redeem #revivalinAmerica #revivalin2020 #WCM

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Cover_mBOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:

This event helps couples understand why the daily activities found in the book will equip them to build a stronger marriage and the book provides them with 365 intentional activities to take what they learn at the event and apply it on a daily basis. Through the event, couples will discover the Biblical “why” behind the categories of activities found in the book and the “how” these activities are important to building a stronger marriage. Focus points of the event includes :

  • How memorizing scripture together and studying God’s Word together as they study, meditate and apply scriptures related to marriage and life issues will help them develop marriages that honor God.
  • Why utilizing fun conversation starters that spark meaningful conversations will keep interest alive as they continually learn new things about each other.
  • Why keeping romance alive is essential to intimacy and connectivity.
  • How making memories and working together builds relationship investment bonds and how these investment bonds can become the knots that keeps them together through the tough times.
  • How they can understand what they are or are not contributing to the marriage as well as how they might be contributing to problems or potential problems within the relationship through the use of targeted, intentional personal reflections
  • Why it is important that couples never stop dating and how group dates with Christian friends can be both an encouragement and accountability to their own relationship.

During the event, couples will be given an activity from each focus point to do together, making this event an interactive, fun, and engaging event with practical, hands-on learning. Unlike other couple events that are over when the event ends, couples who attend the GLMW event will be able to apply what they learn when utilizing the book on a daily basis for a year. Since the book is not dated, couples are able to reuse the activities year after year to continue being intentional in strengthening their relationship with each other and with God as they strive to live out God’s design for marriage every day.

Learn more about hosting this event at your church or conference site by clicking here.

About the book: The GLMW book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble

#GLMW #couplesevent #GLMWbook #intentionalmarriage #Godlymarriage

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Looking for a keynote speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
Book with us now.

Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants. Today, Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.

With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities, regardless of size.

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We are praying and seeking God for Revival in America in 2020. The path to revival can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Watch the video on this verse created by our CEO.

2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves….” This week we have featured several resources on prayer. We hope you’ll choose one for your own personal Bible study and join us in seeking God with a heart of humility and pray with us for God to send a revival to America in 2020.

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Our organization receives an 8% commission on any item you purchase through these links. However, the product price is the same for you. There is no increase in your cost for us to receive the commission. All commissions receive support the work and ministry of Wellspring Christian Ministries.
764142: I Repent: A Journey Into the Heart I Repent: A Journey Into the Heart

By Caleb Gave Mathis / WestBow Press
555272: Ezekiel: A 12-Week Study Ezekiel: A 12-Week Study

By Crossway

The Book of Ezekiel proclaims God’s uncompromising judgment against his&nbsp;rebellious people – but also his promise of of restoration if they repent. Exposing the depth of Israel’s disobedience, the prophet Ezekiel calls the nation to find forgiveness by turning away from their sin and back to God.

The Knowing the Bible Series is edited by theologian J. I. Packer, and includes contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders. Perfect for both small groups and individuals, these gospel-centered studies will help you see and cherish the message of God&rsquo;s grace on each and every page of the Bible. The study includes:&nbsp;

  • Reflection Questions&nbsp;designed to help you engage the text at a deeper level
  • Gospel Glimpses&nbsp;highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book
  • Whole-Bible Connections&nbsp;showing how a passage connects to the Bible&rsquo;s overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ
  • Theological Soundings&nbsp;identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture
1040DF: How to Repent - Word Document [Download] How to Repent – Word Document [Download]

By Christianity Today International / Christianity Today
311350: America Return to God: Repent from Sin, Rebuild the Wall, Repair the Gates, Restore the Dream America Return to God: Repent from Sin, Rebuild the Wall, Repair the Gates, Restore the Dream

By Alveda C. King / Elijah List Publications
1187DF: Missional Evangelism: Help Others to Repent - Word Document [Download] Missional Evangelism: Help Others to Repent – Word Document [Download]

By Christianity Today International / Christianity Today
923057: Face-To-Face With A Holy God (Isaiah) Face-To-Face With A Holy God (Isaiah)

By Harvest House Publishers

When Isaiah encountered the Holy One of Israel, he was transformed and given a mission. God is ready to speak directly to you through His Word. As you probe Isaiah’s message, you’ll see a society at a crossroads, much like ours: Will they face judgment and captivity, or will they repent, look to their Savior, and be delivered?For individual study, one-on-one discipleship, or small groups, 13 weeks of daily lessons are designed to help you discover God’s ways and what he wants from his children. Questions for group discussion are included.
384026: Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols

By Brad Bigney / P & R Publishing

Is it harder for you to change and grow as a Christian than it should be? Do you wonder what is holding you back? Have you ever considered that it might be idolatry?

Using real-life stories and examples, Brad Bigney’s Gospel treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols shows us how the idols we might not even recognize can still have devastating effects in our lives. In this transparent, honest book, he helps us to identify our idols, understand how they lead us to commit treason against the gospel–and finally repent of them and root them out forever by turning to the only One who can fill our every need.
078924: A Nation in Crisis A Nation in Crisis

By Ray Stedman / Discovery House

Every day the headlines announce more violence and evil. Our hearts groan as we wonder what life will be like for the next generation. It all seems hopeless, which is probably how Jeremiah felt as he lived among the people of the nation of Judah.

Jeremiah was a reluctant but faithful prophet who spent forty-two years serving God and warning the people to repent. His heart was saddened and angered by the people’s indifference to God and the moral decay that surrounded him. Everything was falling apart–yet Jeremiah continued to seek the Lord.

As we face personal trauma and national crisis, we can learn from the prophet’s example. Ray Stedman walks us through the book of Jeremiah, revealing that repentance was the only answer then–and it’s the only answer today. When people repent, God is faithful to His Word, planting the seeds of new life and giving us hope.

970111: Overcomer DVD Bible Study Kit

Overcomer DVD Bible Study Kit

By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick / B&H Books

Many people feel they are less than who God says they are. We get our identity from our careers, our political positions, family roles in the family, and other things. This small group study uses clips from the film Overcomer to examine how we determine our identity and how we can find our true identity in Christ.

The Bible study is geared for adult groups to use prior to the movie or just after seeing the movie. The study includes clips from the movie.

The Overcomer Bible Study Kit has five sessions and includes:

  • one Bible Study Book
  • one DVD with a promotional video and five 2-4 minute video sessions

Session Topics:

  1. Who Are You?
  2. You Are Broken
  3. You Are Chosen
  4. You Surrender
  5. You Declare
224984: Overcomer, Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Overcomer, Blu-ray/DVD/Digital

By Provident Films

From the creators of War Room, Courageous and Fireproof. Basketball coach John Harrison’s high school team is crushed by the closing of the town’s largest employer. Hundreds of families move, leaving him running a struggling cross-country program. But then he meets Hannah and begins helping this unlikely runner attempt the impossible in the year’s biggest race. Starring Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, and Aryn Wright-Thompson. Rated PG. Dove approved (12+). Approx. 119 minutes.

Blu-ray Exclusives:

  • The Heart of Overcomer
  • Creating the Opening Drone Shot
  • Working with the Kendricks
  • Post-Production Behind-the-Scenes: Editing, Scoring, Coloring, and Sound Design
  • “Enough” (Lyric Video) Featuring Koryn Hawthorne
  • Don’t Mess with the Editors

Special Features:

  • The Making of Overcomer
  • Bloopers
  • 10 Minutes of Additional Scenes
  • Commentary with Director Alex Kendrick and Producer Stephen Kendrick
  • Overcomer in 60 Seconds
  • The Theme of Identity
  • The Power of Forgiveness
  • “Overcomer” (Lip Sync Music Video) Featuring Mandisa and More!

Other Features:

  • Audio: English, French (PAR), Spanish, Thai
  • Subtitles: English, English (SDH), Spanish, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Tagalog, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese

God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage - By: Julia M. Bruce God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage

By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press

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Isaiah 7:4 – Be Quiet

by Julia Bruce

Isaiah 7 4

During the days of the prophet Isaiah, the political situation was tense in Jerusalem. In the early 730s B.C. Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, was busy on his northern frontier. At the same time, Rezin, king of Syria and Pekah, king of Israel, combined forces to withstand the expected attack from Assyria as soon the they were done in the north. Rezin and Pekah wanted Ahaz, king of Judah to join them, but Ahaz wanted nothing to do with them. So Rezin and Pekah plot to remove Ahaz from the throne and put a puppet king on the throne who they would be able to manipulate and control.

Ahaz was contemplating paying the Assyrians to rescue him from Rezin and Pekah but God steps in and sends His prophet Isaiah to deliver a message. God says, “Go out now to meet Ahaz, you and Shear-Jashub your son, at the end of the aqueduct from the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller’s Field, and say to him: “Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted.” Ahaz had no need to worry. God said that none of what was planned would come to pass and their plans would not stand. Isaiah’s message from God would challenge the king to consider what the source of his trust was: Yahweh or the Assyrians. The All-knowing God was in control and if Ahaz would not trust God, God said he would not be established (vs. 9)

All of us have times where there is a “Rezin and Pekah” breathing down our backs, trying to manipulate us to do what they want. We all have some big, bad “Assyrian King” that wants nothing more than to destroy us, take us captive, or even kill us. Maybe your “Rezin and Pekah” is a co-worker, or even a boss, that wants you to break a company policy. Maybe your “Assyrian King” comes in the form of a politician with a new law he wants to pass or maybe its a diagnosis from a doctor. Whatever threats are in your life, God says, “Take heed, and be quiet; do not fear or be fainthearted.” The same All-knowing God that was in control in Ahaz’s life is in control of your life. Isaiah issues the same challenge to you today: Will you trust God? (click to tweet) Will you choose to believe Jeremiah 29:11 that says that God has good plans for us? Even if the threat occurs, we can know that God is in control. He goes before us. He walks beside us. He is there. He is near. He will never leave us or forsake us. So be quiet. Stop worrying. Do not fear. Don’t be fainthearted. God is still on His throne and He has you in the palm of His hand.

ctt verse of the day

#verseoftheday #bequiet #donotfear #trustGod #WCM

growing into our futureBe a part of our future and join Phase 1 of our land & building campaign through buymeacoffee.com. For the cost of a coffee, your tax-deductible gift can help make an eternal impact to the kingdom of God as we lead the lost to Christ, help Christians develop passionate relationships with God, and help couples reignite their marriages. Give either a one time contribution today or set up a reoccurring monthly gift.

  • Every gift will be acknowledged on our “Donor Wall” on our website. Just  leave your name the way you wish it to appear in the message box as you make your gift.
  • Every $50 gift will receive a free signed copy of Julia’s book, “God, Love & Marshmallow Wars”
  • Every $500 or more gift will receive the “God, Love & Marshmallow Wars” Couple Event for their church with Julia’s speaker fees waived (host site is still responsible for travel expense and other costs of the event).

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Wellspring Christian Ministries is a 501(3)(c) non-profit organization.

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We have a new product line of Christian apparel and gifts available in our Teespring Store and our new Spreadshop Store. You’ll find tee shirts, hoodies, tanks, socks, leggings, tote bags, mugs, iphone cases and more. All proceeds will make an eternal impact through the expanding ministries of Wellspring Christian Ministries. Thank you for helping us grow!

Click here to view the Teespring store. 

Click here to view the Spreadshop Store which has a 15% discount through August 9, 2019

Cover_m God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel

 

book now summer and fall

Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
Book with us now.

Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants.

Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.

With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities.

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fill out the online form here.

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Or call us at 904.524.8073

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