1 Kings 18, HE Shows Off Big Time

God has been doing some awesome things in my life lately. He has put people together for His purpose and lined up other things for His glory. Too much to explain in detail, but just know that He has it all laid out meticulously and its really cool to see how the Lord brings it all together. Sorry for the vague words...

I call this Showing Off! God does it all the time, but do we open our eyes to see it and then open our hearts to give Him the credit?

Check out 1 Kings 18: 20-40. The prophet Elijah is boldly demonstrating why Israel needs to get rid of their Baal worship (totally a false and worthless god) and turn back to their One True God. I will let you read it and get the thrill of seeing how God blows them away-literally! But, take a look at the description of what the Lord does and then the reaction He gets from His people:

1 Kings 18:38-39 (New International Version)
38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!"

Oh that I would have this dramatic of a response to the Lord Showing Off as the Israelites did!

What ways has God blown you away and Showed Off His glory? Do you think you have missed seeing it by not simply paying attention?

Just a thought...

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1 Kings 10-11, He Gives and Takes Away

Take a look at this video. This is one of my all time favorite worship songs and I think it describes what happens to King Solomon perfectly. It is by the NewsBoys.



Solomon took His father's place as King over Israel and became known as the wisest man on earth. This wisdom came straight from God.

1 Kings 4:29-30
29 God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. 30 Solomon's wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.

Did you catch the first two words of that verse: God GAVE Solomon the wisdom. He instilled this knowledge and wisdom in Solomon to bring Himself glory. When we use our gifts of talent in a pure and holy way, this pleases God greatly. Keep in mind, you don't have to just use your talent with in the area of ministry to please God. When we use our talent at work, or in raising our family and we do it 100%, this brings glory to God, too.

Solomon's wisdom was known to all around the world, when they came to visit him, you better believe that the visitors got a taste of who this Lord that Solomon worshiped. His talent and wisdom brought foreigners to God.

But...
God can easily TAKE away the things He gives. After warning Solomon of what would happen if he turned away from worshiping God alone, Solomon did in fact do just that. Solomon followed after his many wives(this is in and of itself wrong!) and began to worship their idols. Can you imagine?! The very God of the universe, who visited Solomon personally, was forgotten and mocked as he built temples and idols to these false gods. Here is why God TOOK it all away:

1 Kings 11:11 (New International Version)
11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.

Our God is a jealous God. He demands nothing but full devotion from us. In return, because He loves us, God blesses us with material things (like the wealth of Solomon) as well as non-material things (like the wisdom of Solomon) But, because these things are the Lord's to begin with, He has all power and prerogative to take them away. Now, hear me on this, the Lord has His own reasons for taking away. It is not always because we are disobedient. BUT, if I have a gift from the Lord and I am misusing it, it is up to Him how He reconciles that with me. Oh man, I don't want to ever be in that position.

In the end, the Lord's Name should Always be blessed. It is all for His glory-what He gives us AND what He takes away. Blessed Be Your Name, Jesus!

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1 Kings 1-2, Well Done

Whether or not you are versed in the Bible or the Jewish Torah, you probably know the name King David. He made a name for himself so much that all these centuries later, we know who he is.

Is it human nature to want to be known for something? To want our life to matter to someone? I say, absolutely! Here's the problem: we will never measure up. There is always someone smarter, prettier, more talented, more this and more that than us. It is just a fact. When we try to measure up to those around us, we will never find ourselves where we think we should be on that scale!

But, I truly think that David strived not to be like this. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been called, "A man after God's own heart." (Could someone help me out with this reference? I couldn't find the Bible verse anywhere.)

You see, I am sure that David set out to live up to God's approval. Why else would he have written those intimate Psalms pleading and worshiping to the Lord? God's approval of us is the only one that truly matters. Don't you want the Lord to say this to you when you meet Him face to face:
Well done good and faithful servant! (see Matthew 25:23)
When all else fades away and the esteem of other wanes, God rewards those who esteem Him and live for His approval.

LIVE IT OUT! application:
Think about ways that you search for the approval of others and ask God to free you of that bondage. He can and He will! Just take it to Him.

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2 Samuel, David Gets Real

I just love how the Lord uses His Word to give me real examples of how He wants me to live. Although the whole big picture purpose of the Old Testament is to point the way to Jesus as The Messiah, I believe we can learn valuable lessons from the people with in the pages of this ancient book. David is a huge example, I mean, a guy after God's own heart! I pray that this would one day be said about me-oh how I long that this would sum up my life!

So, in 2 Samuel 15-18, David finds himself betrayed by his son, Absolom. Absolom actually wants David's place as King and goes after David's life with avengance. The beginning of chapter 18 describes Absolom's death as he was killed by one of David's men. Be clear, not killed by David himself!

What really struck me is how David was so real and raw with his emotions. He mourned, like any father would, but was chastised by his top officials for this grief. Take a look at how David outright writhes over the very son who sought to kill him.

2 Samuel 19:4
The king covered his face and cried aloud, "O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!"

You can just feel the raw emotion and almost want to cry with David.

Here is the lesson the Lord gave to me: as followers of Christ, we MUST be real with our emotions and how we express them. We must be real with others, and more importantly, we must be real with God! David didn't care that it was pretty much politically incorrect to mourn this wayward son of his. If we don't show our true emotions to others, we might miss out on an opportunity to share how the Lord ministers and tends to our emotions. Thus, we can't truly let Him in to tend to those raw feeling unless we are completely real with God. It all goes together.

The problem these days is that non-Christians think that we just try to be perfect. Oh how I wish this were not true. Too many of us put on that facade of "having it all together." My whole philosophy is that if I show that I don't have it all together and share something I am going through, then the Lord will use that situation to encourage someone else.

This past summer, after giving birth to my adorable son, I went through some major post partum depression. We are talking B-A-D. I felt so dark and alone. But, God led me to share this when I was teaching Sunday school. I had several of my friends come up to me saying how rare it was that people are truthful and outright about what they are going through. Oh I prayed so hard that one of those ladies related to my depression and was freed up to get real herself. In that situation, the Lord worked on my heart as well and started the healing process.

Get Real People! Putting on that mask takes too much energy and effort. Sooner or later, the real you will show up, and won't people be so surprised! Oh no!

Take it to the Lord. He so wants to nurture your soul and use you to bless someone else. Don't miss out on being a blessing!

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2 Samuel, David's Not Perfect

Ok, so I have not kept up with my blogging as I read through the Bible. Oh I pray that someone is following the reading plan with me. If you want to join now, go ahead, its never too late!

So, I'm now in 2 Samuel. Just some quick thoughts. First, I love to flip through the book of Psalms to see what Psalms David might have written as he was going through his trials recorded in 2 Samuel. Let's just say that King David didn't have it easy! Even his own son turned against him. Boy did David ever need the strength of the Lord.

Also, keep in mind how imperfect David was and God still used him in a mighty way. David is revered through out history, but he is definitely not perfect. Just like you and me. This should encourage us to recognize our sins and imperfections, repent and then move on to let Christ use us!

Here is one of the Psalms David wrote while in peril-check out how he was still praising the Lord.

Psalm 34

Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.
1 I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.

In your trials and even in your sinful defeat, KEEP PRAISING HIM!

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Quick Devotion, She Just Couldn't Leave

On this Easter morning, I am reflecting on how I would have handled my LORD Jesus dying on the cross right before my eyes. I can't imagine the agony His friends were going through, let alone the excruciating pain my Lord suffered. The passage in John about Mary Magdalene is something I think I can relate too.

Mary was so faithful to go and check on Jesus' grave. I imagine she just needed to be with her Lord, regardless of the situation. You see, Jesus was not only Mary's LORD, He was her friend, too. Mary had to make sure everything was right with her Friend's burial. John chapter 20 tells us that Mary went out there while it was still dark. How much do you want to bet that she didn't sleep at all the night before and just couldn't wait to go and check on Jesus. She must have been pretty distressed when she found the stone rolled away from the grave.

Then later at the end of the chapter when everyone had left, Mary couldn't tear herself away.

John 20:10-16
Then the disciples went back to their homes, 11but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.
13They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"
"They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." 14At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
15"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."
16Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).
17Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.' "

There was no longer any reason to mourn! No longer any need to weep and relive the horrific events of three days prior. For, her LORD Jesus WAS ALIVE!! Everything He said He would do came to fruition and Mary was the first to witness it.

Jesus conquered death. What makes you think that He can't conquer your issues? Jesus defied everything they said He couldn't not do. Don't you think He can handle what ever you bring before Him?

I want to be like Mary. So close to Jesus that she couldn't wait to just check on Him. Because of Her need to be there, Mary was the first that Jesus revealed Himself to. I know Christ has things to reveal to each of us. We just need to make ourselves available and ready to hear His call.

Happy Easter! He is Risen!!

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1 Samuel, Your Mama Always Said...

Okay, so we've all heard it: "If so-and-so jumps off a bridge, will you do it to?" In the storm of our teenage angst, this is so not cool! I know you have been there too-just wanting to be like everyone else-even at the risk of losing who you are as an individual.

This brings to mind a silly little story of when I was in the 5th grade. The cool group of girls decided that Wednesday was going to be "Units Day." Don't you remember that early 90's fad of those cotton mix and match outfits with the colorful bandos to go with them? Well, Wednesday was going to be the day where everyone would wear their outfit. Here's the problem, it was Tuesday and I had already worn my own units outfit the day before! Uh OH! I decided that I would commit the cardinal sin of not wearing the same outfit in the same week and I would definitely participate in this fashion day. So, I had my mom wash my Units getup and I went on my merry way to school. I just know they were snickering when I showed up with the clothes I had just worn on Monday! The things we go through just to fit in-and it wasn't even that cute!

The Israelites were doing just this in the book of 1 Samuel. They were tired of having just a judge to oversee them and I am thinking that their worship in God was lacking. Check out the request they brought to Samuel:

1 Samuel 8:20

19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles."

Let's just focus in on "be like all the other nations" right now. Here's the problem with that, the Israelites were the chosen people of God. They were to be holy and different from the pagan nations around them who worshiped false gods and rebelled against their Creator God.

This is where we, as Christians, fit into this picture. We are also chosen by God once we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are set apart for Him and chosen to be different than the world around us.

Philippians 3:19-20 (New International Version)
19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ

Why would God want us to go through the trouble of being different? Most of the time, being different hurts and is frustrating. Our citizenship is in Heaven with our LORD. This world is temporary, but our eternal Home is where we want to get comfortable.

God calls us to stick out like a sour thumb, to go against the grain, to just be different because this makes people want to know what it is about us that makes us stand out. When we show love for an unloving neighbor, forgiveness to a mean co-worker, compassion during a mission trip, boldness as we stand up for the underdog and bravery as we proclaim the Word of God, this makes people around us want what we have. We are being a witness of Christ when we are citizens of Heaven.

So, next time are tempted to just go with the flow-resist! Being a follower of Christ is not always popular, but you can rest assured your reward will come one day when you make it to your eternal home as a citizen of Heaven.

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Quick Devotion-Don't Leave it for the Stones!

Oh how I love Easter season! The fact that Spring is in full bloom is very apropos for the celebration of our Resurrected King. Easter is a season of renewal and redemption, who wouldn't love that!

On this Palm Sunday, please read the following passage. I pray that you will be rejoicing and waving your "palms" right now in front of this computer screen!

Luke 19:38-40 (The Message)
37-38Right at the crest, where Mount Olives begins its descent, the whole crowd of disciples burst into enthusiastic praise over all the mighty works they had witnessed: Blessed is he who comes, the king in God's name! All's well in heaven! Glory in the high places!
39Some Pharisees from the crowd told him, "Teacher, get your disciples under control!"
40But he said, "If they kept quiet, the stones would do it for them, shouting praise."

Followers of this Glorious King-give Him praise boldly-don't shy back! The world around us tries to dumb down Easter and make it about candy and eggs, but we know it is a million times more than that. Proudly celebrate this holiday and exclaim to those around you why you are so full of joy (and its not just from that sugar rush!)

Don't leave it to the stones to shout for JOY! Give Him Praise!

Your sins are forgiven!

You are made new in Christ !

There is now no condemnation upon you-ever!

He reigns VICTORIOUS!

Hallelujah! AMEN!

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1 Samuel 1-4, Oh Don't Miss It!

I am now moving on to 1 Samuel. No, don't worry, I did not skip the book of Judges or Ruth. I apologize for not blogging on those books, life just got in the way!

Our new friend Samuel is the son of Hannah who prayed diligently for a son and committed him to the Lord. So, in the beginning of 1Samuel, we find little boy Sam ministering to the Lord in the temple under Eli.

Then one night, Samuel heard a call:

1 Samuel 3:3-5
and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. 4 Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am." 5 And he ran to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." But Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down." So he went and lay down.

Take note of who Sam responded after hearing the call from the Lord...he went running to Eli. Before we get to that, I have to love how Samuel got up and RAN. He was eager to respond, but he just responded to the wrong person.

As the chapter continues, Samuel goes back to bed and goes thru this routine 3 more times before Eli realizes that it is God calling Samuel. He instructs Sam to properly respond.

What struck me here is that, even though he was eager to answer the call, Samuel didn't stop to really think about who was calling. He almost missed what the Lord had to tell him.

This might happen to us all the time and we don't even know it! Yikes! The best way to not miss God's call is to stop and take time to pray over the nudging from the Lord. Take time to digest what the Lord is saying to you and pray for peace and understanding over it. When we pray in this manner, we put ourselves in a better position to do exactly what the Lord has planned, not what we might have on our own agenda.

About two years ago, my husband and I were joking about how we just weren't ready to have kids. We loved our life and the simplicity and quietness of it. Greg and I would happily take care of our friend's kids, but we would also happily give them back. Then, one day, I felt this overwhelming need to be a mom. I tell you, it came out of no where! I just felt the Lord speak to my heart and tell me it was time to have a baby. You can only imagine how surprised my hubby was when I shared this with him. He was quite confused, especially sense we were literally just joking the week before about "no kids for us!

I am so very glad that I did not miss this call from God. Our 10 month old has turned our life upside down and then rightside up again. God called me to be a mommy and He has blessed me for my obedience with a wonderful, healthy, energetic little boy.

Don't miss your call. Don't go elsewhere when you hear His voice. Take it right back to the Lord and ask Him to make His call known to you. You WILL be blessed for your obedience!

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