Conversations with God

I think we sometime make faith too complicated. I know I have! But the fact is, we all have faith. Every day before I go to work, I brush my teeth. I have perfect faith that when I turn the faucet, water will come out. I have a good car, so when I turn the key, I have no doubt that it will start. When I step into a dark room, I have faith that the lights will come on when I flip the switch. I had a wonderful teacher who took this example one step further. When I order something online, I expect it to come. If it doesn’t come when they said it would, I’m on the phone asking why. Yet when it comes to God and His promises, sometimes we get afraid to be that bold. We get wishy-washy and start saying things like, “Well, maybe He doesn’t really want me to have that…” or “It’s too good to be true.” Yet when Amazon or whoever is having a sale, we don’t waste a second wondering whether we are “worthy” of the item or the price.   We just expect it exactly the way they are offering ...

Our God is a Lord, a Master, a King. He delights in taking care. It is in His job description to oversee our lives, even the minute details we think we can take care of ourselves. What does that look like? Does it mean we can't put one foot in front of the other without asking first? No. It's a continual conversation, continual relating and relationship. We know where to place our feet next because we are following Him and our desire is to stay in His shadow. So when we have questions, we don't ask. We watch. We can get so busy going and doing, then looking up to see if He approves. But if we can stay, step by step, in His shadow, in His Presence - we will be staying in His approval. And the need for questions will cease. What is He doing, right now? What is He saying to you, right now? He's waiting on you. If you feel He isn't speaking, watch. Look up. What direction is He moving? And then, instead of just asking, "Where are You going...

“…be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Dt. 6:12 ). Moses spoke this to the people of God as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, “flowing with milk and honey.” They were about to begin lives filled with protection, favor, and prosperity they had never known before. Remembering God is an easy way to keep you and your family secure. We already know that all good things are coming from Him (Jms. 1:17 ). The key is to not forget when things are going well. With that in mind this evening, I did a quick rundown of my day: · I woke this morning with peace and joy · I dressed for work in clothes that were given to me · I drove to work in my car that is paid off · I worked 10 hours with co-workers I enjoy and a boss with whom I have favor · I paid cash for gas on my way home · I cleaned with the new vacuum cleaner I also bought with cash God i...

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted … and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes…”(Is. 61:1, 3).   “Beauty for ashes” is a common phrase. It creates a comforting image to fall back on when we feel the pain of our past (or present!). Today, however, I’m going to take us past the comfortable, pretty picture and talk about what this can really be in our lives – if we let it.   What I’m talking about is this: we read “beauty instead of ashes” but think “beauty from the ashes.” You might be thinking, “What’s the difference?” Let me explain.   Beauty from ashes means ashes are our foundation; that’s where our roots are planted. And if our roots are buried in our ashes, they are going to continue to carry that pain to every part of our life, despite all our best efforts to hide it. Too ...