Resting in the Lord: Go to sleep!

Matthew 1:19-20

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 1:24

Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

While reading this passage this morning something stood out to me..He went to sleep! Could he trust Mary was telling the truth? Joseph had a big decision to make and he wanted to make the best decision possible. First he thought about it but when that didn't help he went to sleep. He did the opposite of stressing out. I noticed he got his answer when he rested..when decisions come I usually try to figure everything out on my own. My mind races as I think about my choices. This was Joseph's choice. He had a lot of power over Mary since he was "her husband" (vs19). He could have had her stoned. What if he would've made the decision without seeking the Lord? What if he hadn't listened to the direction from the Angel? All eternity stood on this decision. 

Joseph had enough faith to take his hands off this and let God be in control. God was letting Joseph be apart of something much bigger than himself. Joseph got to be Jesus' earthly father. 

I don't know what decision you need to make but rest in the Lord and wait for him. When he answers choose to trust him and leave the outcome in his hands. He has a beautiful plan for each of his children ❤️ 

Thanks be unto God- Thanksgiving 2015

2 Corinthians 9:15

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

Psalms 62:6-7

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Unspeakable: that can not be uttered or expressed.

Thankful: impressed with a sense of kindness received, and ready to acknowledge it.

That unspeakable gift is the greatest gift I've ever received. Jesus is indescribable, incomprehensible. His love and perseverance overwhelms me. How often do we walk through life and not even acknowledge him and all he's done? All he is doing? And all he's going to do? He is a real God, a working God and a gracious God..he doesn't have to be but he always is. I'm guilty to say I don't acknowledge his kindness towards me like I should! I want to just take a minute and thank Him for being:

1. My rock--I can stand because what I'm standing on is firm. How sweet a foundation that's anchored in the Lord! On Christ the solid rock I stand ALL other ground is sinking sand! 

2. My salvation--preacher Milton Taylor said Sunday morning, "it's Jesus or Hell." Only Jesus could save me! Only Jesus could change me! Only Jesus could reconcile me to God! 

3. My defense--he's got my back and he's never lost a battle! Whatever I have to face I'm so thankful I've got God on my side. 

4. My glory--the only good in me is Him. He's worthy to be praised.

5. My strength--when I'm weak it doesn't change him..he's still as strong as ever. 

6. My refuge--he holds the world in his hand yet he also holds me. When I need rest, help, or protection I can run to him. He's always there. 

Don't forget to take a while and acknowledge Him and how good He is! Happy thanksgiving!! 

Psalm 23: He Chases Me..

Psalms 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

"He chases me"

Radaph is the Hebrew word for "follow"...it means to run after, hunt, pursue, chase. 

Surely means certainly; infallibly, undoubtedly. Without doubt or question goodness and mercy chase after me everyday that I live. Good things, things I don't deserve, things I am unworthy to receive chase me and hunt me down each day.

The Lord's mercies forbear and forgive me constantly. He longs to give me mercy upon mercy. He loves to bless us, answer our prayers, help us, do whatever we need. He is a God that DOES. He is real. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He holds the world in his hand. He made all the galaxies. He's not worried about the weather, or who our next president will be, but he's concerned with YOUR well being. He wants to give you the BEST. 

Take a second and think about that. God himself, his goodness, his mercies continually chase you. He personally chases YOU. Pursues YOU every single day.  I'm no one special. I've been invisible my whole life. Often I get left out, overlooked and forgotten. When that happens it hurts! But I can say the Lord has never once left me out! He's never once denied me of his goodness or mercy. It was a glad day in my heart when I realized he didn't just die for the world but He died for me! He doesn't just care for the world but He cares for me. Me personally! I love when the Lord does something for a friend or loved one but it's extra special when he does something just for me! 

He's got good things in store for those who trust him and love him above all. I don't know what kind of day you are having but remember goodness and mercy are following you even now! The goodness of God has your back! 

David's Courage in the Valley

1 Samuel 17:3-4

And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them. And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

1 Samuel 17:45, 46

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee..And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

Psalms 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..

David wasn't even suppose to be in the battle but when no one else would stand he stood up! He was ridiculed by his brother and told by Saul that he was too small and the giant was too big. He told Saul he had some practice going up against things much bigger and stronger..a lion and a bear while protecting the sheep. Who would've thought that keeping his father's sheep would have prepared him for Goliath...the biggest giant of his life. 

Before David could fight he had to go down into the valley. Sometimes we will have to go into a valley just so we can fight the enemy. God wants to give us victory over the Giants causing disarray and discouragement in our lives. This morning while driving to work the Lord brought this story to my mind..David realized someone would die in that valley! He would die or Goliath would die. In everyone's eyes David didn't stand a chance but in David's eyes He saw someone much mightier on his side. Psalm 23 calls it the "valley of the shadow of death". David could not go up against Goliath and win on his own..the shadow of death surrounded him yet he had no fear because he knew the Lord was with him. He chose to believe God would deliver him. He'd seen him deliver him before (vs37) and he trusted God would do it again. 

Have courage to go into the valley..have courage to stand for God and right..have courage and trust God. Someone has to die in the battle..leave it in God's hands and he will be with you! Victory is still ours..just claim it!