The Hand of God

Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. Isaiah 48:13

As I was reading last night in Isaiah, this particular verse seemed to jump off the page at me. . it was as if the Holy Spirit wanted me to pause there and really get something extra special. But I had just read verse 12 which says: Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last. The Lord used that verse to prepare me for verse 13.

Look at verse 12 again. He wants us to HEARKEN unto Him. Has He asked you (or "called you") to do something that seems to be a bit out of your comfort zone? He is The One that has been before the beginning of time. He knows the first from the last! He's already in each of our tomorrows.

What's in a Letter?

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.  Psalm 60:12

When David faced "his" giant, Goliath, he had full faith in God that God would defeat this super-sized, over-the-top, way-out-of-his-league giant.  Because David was going forth not in his own strength, but in God's, he had full confidence in God for victory. 

No matter what giants we are facing today, be it opposition from other people, or trying to break bad habits, or just the old fleshly nature itself, we CAN be victorious.

When I asked my son to do something he responded, "Mom, I can't."  Then I said, "Don't say you can't, but you'll try!"   That's when it hit me.  That little letter "t" in the contraction of can't.   Let's look at it like this:
I can't.    We can change our outlook if we let that "t" stand for the word "try." : 
I Can'Try.'  I have the word try enclosed in a pair of 'marks' because really we're not 'trying' in our own strength, but in GOD'S!  So what's there to TRY anyway?   Oh yeah!  How about TRY FAITH in GOD? 

Anyway....Further into my thoughts, it hit me:  Sometimes we have to be careful, because the old idea of "I can't" is really just the simple stubborn, "I WON'T!"     Then there it was again--the letter "t".   But what happens if we knock off the letter "t" in "Won't"...look at what we've got left.   WON!     If we but simply TRY, we can WIN!   Go forth, in full faith and assurance in God to fight our battles for us, and we are guaranteed to win!

We can Be Victorious and Win.    Whatever it is we are facing:  We can be courageous and TRY!  Go forth with Faith in God!   Do I think God is Trying To Teach me a little something, even by using simple letters?  Yes!   Then, with a gentle sense of humor, He pointed out, "Tammi, your initials are T.R.Y."    And I thought SCRABBLE was fun!  LOL

Okay, Father, I will TRY today to do Your will. . .To fight these battles, and WIN, WIN WIN.  Because, as You said, in Joshua 23:10, "One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God, HE it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you."  Together, Father, we claim this promise, for our good, and Your glory, in Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

Join the "P.I.A." Club!

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

I was thinking today how the Lord wants us to praise Him---How when we enter into His gates, it's with thanksgiving, and we enter into His courts with PRAISE.   It's almost like we're carrying a banner, waving a flag of praise and thanksgiving, as we're marching into His courts.  The Courts of the Almighty Judge, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords....our Savior.   We're boldly bringing our petitions and concerns for Him to hear.   I imagine the sound of our praise would certainly GET HIS attention!  Don't you?

Have you ever wondered though, how could we really give thanks in everything---especially when our circumstances are not the "very best"??   Others around us know we proclaim to be Christians, and yet does the way we respond to our circumstances reflect a truth to our profession?

In the Hands of an Archer

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 
Psalm 32:8

Seems like this week the Lord is wanting me to know that He is watching over me.   The thoughts He gave me for Thursday's post really have helped me, and I hope they have helped you too---to know that He is watching over us...and not to say, "I see you.  I've got My eye on you" (as a threat of "You better behave!") BUT to let us know that He's watching us, even during the night, waiting for us to stir, and longing to have our eyes meet His first thing in the morning. 

The last part of Psalm 32:8, "I will guide thee with mine eye" actually means: "I will counsel you and watch over you."   Oh!  I sigh, because the Lord knows the inner thoughts and concerns of my heart today.  Needing to know the direction I should go....Needing a job, but have no idea which way to look. 

When I read in "My Utmost for His Highest" (Oswald Chambers) this morning, the Lord just began to tie things together for me.  Chambers says that "a saint's life in the hands of God is like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer....God is aiming at something that the saint cannot see. He stretches and strains, and every now and again the saint says---'I cannot stand any more!'  God does not heed, he goes on stretching til His purpose is IN SIGHT, then He lets FLY!"  

Sometimes the concerns for "tomorrow" (where to find a job, will we survive this economy, where to put our children in school)---can fog our concentration on our daily duties.  John Hamilton Thom says, "small cares daily frets our hearts, and cross the clearness of our faculties...leaving us no free soul able to give itself up, in power, and gladness, to the true work of life."  This is the "severest training and self denial."  OH!  How true this is!   Concerns and anxiety cloud my focus, yet He keeps on stretching, even when I cry, "OUCH!  Stop, please!"  No...He's got some "end in sight!"  He DOES have a purpose for my (and your) life.  (Jer. 29:11) 

He will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go.  For now, the instructions do not include, "This is where you need to find a job."   The instructions on "today's roster" include: "Do your daily duties, small and great....rest, rest rest in the fact that you are in My hands, child.  I am The Archer Who never misses My Mark!  I know where I want you to be...and when I see that purpose in sight, I will let you FLY!"    OH!  That makes me smile!   He will guide me, watch over me...and then, once I RELAX (by trusting Him) He will "LET ME FLY!"

Oh Dear Father!   You are watching me.  It's SOO reassuring to know You have got Your eye on me.   We tease our children sometimes when we remind them, "I've got my eye on you!"  But really, this should bring comfort to any insecure child's heart.   "You may wander off, you may think I don't care enough to watch you, BUT I have got my eye on you."  Thank You that Your eyes not only see me, but they're looking for that unique purpose in sight....You're looking to see when our hearts are in tune with Yours, and totally trusting You.  And when they are, it's as if the "TARGET IS IN SIGHT," and You'll let us fly.  BULLSEYE!  You never miss Your mark!  It's up to us to determine how quickly that "target gets in sight."   Help me relax today, while clearly focusing on my "tasks at hand."  Help me NOT worry or THINK about "tomorrow's changing tide."   Help me relax in the Hands of the Most Wonderful "Archer" to ever hold a bow and arrow.  Thank You for even picking me up in the first place, and finding a purpose in my life, through Your Son, Jesus!  I love You!  In Jesus' name I pray..amen.

A Watchful Night, A Hopeful Morning

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising...Psalm 139:2a

I woke up this morning. . .before I even got out of bed, the first thing I thought was, "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising." As I tried to muster the strength to SIT up on the side of the bed and search for the desire and strength to move on with another day, the Lord brought that verse to my mind. 

I imagined the Lord having watched me all night----as soon as I awoke and began to stir, there He was, perking up, smiling, and feeling such a deep love for me.   He was actually glad to see me awaken.  It was the strangest feeling or thought. . .but I realize it's true.  He really does love me.  He does that very same thing with ALL of His children. He watches us..and actually anticipates our waking... watching for us to stir, knowing He has something special planned for us in this new day. . and He longs for us to be happy and sense His love for us. . . and He longs for us to return the love and attention back to Him. 

What an Answering System!

And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.    Isaiah 65:24


I was thinking again about Isaiah 65:24.  Have you noticed the significance of the order in which this verse tells us God works in regards to our prayers?   Before we call He will answer.   Whenever we want to call someone, we have to pick up the phone and dial the numbers first... THEN, if they are available, they will answer.   But here God tells us that BEFORE we even call Him, He will answer us.  Wonder why this is?   Because He is in our Tomorrows already.  He has already worked it out according to His plan.  In His sovereignty, He knew our need, He knew we'd be calling, and He knew our thoughts. . . I can not fathom HOW He can do this, except I just accept this by faith that HE can and DOES, because He IS. 

The last part of this verse though caused me to chuckle because it reminded me of a typical "busy Mom Moment."  I'm sure you're familiar with it---either as a mom, or as a person who remembers your mom.    Mom's fixing dinner, phone's ringing, cat's meowing for food, the two older children are bickering, and the youngest one says, "Mom!   I've been talking to you...don't you even HEAR ME??"   Or the scene may not even be that hectic.  It's just a Mom who's got a lot on her mind, thoughts are heavy, and a child approaches her, only to find thoughts have distracted her and the undivided attention he needs is just "not available at this time...please leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. ---beeeeep!"   Ever been there?  Yes.  Me too.  Oh how wonderful to know that when we are STILL SPEAKING, HE WILL HEAR US!  

Calling and Waiting

And it shall come to pass that before they call I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear.    Isaiah 65:24

It's been a while since I've posted any updates.  Have had a lot on my mind.  Sometimes feel like it's best for me to just seek the Lord, and be a little quiet as I wait on Him.

I've read somewhere "when we're down to nothin' the Lord's up to somethin'."   I think of today's Scripture in Isaiah that says, "Before they call upon Me, I will answer and while they are yet speaking, I will hear."   Have you claimed that promise lately?  I have.  So I know that even before I fall to my knees, seeking His guidance, He has already heard my cry.  And while I am still pouring out my heart to Him, He is already working on the situation, answering it according to His will.  That's very reassuring!   Sometimes answers to our prayers seem to come at a very "slow rate."    That's because we are "living on a 24 hour a day time clock."   At 5:46 EST, on May 2, 2010, I am writing this.... remembering that even though He's here with me now, He's also "in the Tomorrow" as well.  He's the Alpha and the Omega.  The Beginning and The End.   

Oh Father, as we await Your answers, PLEASE help us to be patient, and praise You too.  For we are to enter into Your gates with thanksgiving in our hearts, and enter into Your courts with PRAISE.   Increase our faith..and help us remember that "FAITH COMES BY HEARING and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD."  Help us to keep our hearts in tune to Your Word so that You can give us the gift of increased faith.  If we slip, pick us up.   For, Father, our adversary seeks to destroy not only our faith, but also our lives.   Protect us today as we await Your answers for our Tomorrows. 
In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.