Remembering God's Blessings

Scripture: "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."" (1 Samuel 7:12)

I am awed and humbled at the many blessing of God in my life. Answered prayers, desires fulfilled, prayers answered that weren't even yet voiced. I have seen God move tremendously throughout my life. During times of great tribulation, I can look back and see how God provided through the most difficult and sometimes seemingly impossible situations. I find my peace through these remembrances. God comes through over and over again, even when it looks like I'm looking straight through a dark tunnel. But I find solace that HE'S THERE. He is always there. Being a Christian doesn't mean having a life of ease, but adversity is where every individuals' faith should grow. We all have our struggles, and God will show Himself if you recognize it when He moves.

I know it's frustrating when He seems to move slowly. When you look at your cupboard and it's nearly bare, you look at your bank account and wonder how you will pay the next bill, look through endless ads and wonder when a job offer will come through.

HE'S THERE.

It's important to remember the times God met your needs in the past, because when you add them all up, it helps you to hang onto His presence in the future.

Some of my friends and I have amazing stories of faith strengthening moments; an unexpected check when our accounts were low, blessings of food not even asked for, a card with just the right words being sent at just the right time. We have learned to recognize God's hand when we see it.

I also have friends who keep tangible reminders of God's movement through their lives. They will find and keep a rock, sometimes writing a word on it to remind them of when God met them in their darkest times. They will take with them a keepsake, a photo, a "souvenir" if I may call it that - of a time when God met them in their most desperate moment. Some keep journals of God's answers to prayer.

However you remember, tangible or not, it is so important to recognize seeing God's hand move through your life. The Israelites constantly forgot what God had done for them as they wandered in the desert, and consequently, they fell into sin. They whined, they despaired for their future, and some even turned against God in their frustration, desperation, pain and sorrow.

To worry, whine and despair are all human emotions, not always sinful. When one loses their job, discovers a loved one is in the hospital, faces an unexpected expense - it is not our first reaction to throw our hands up in the air and express joy for our troubles. But eventually, one must move from despair and worry and into God's grace and mercy, into his loving hands, and know in your heart of hearts HE IS THERE for you. He will never leave you or forsake you (Dt 31:6, 8; Josh 1:5)

For those of you who are feeling the pressures of life, the economy, struggling to make ends meet, who are in the middle of crisis, I urge you to take to heart Isaiah 41:10. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." This is God's promise to us. He comes through for His children. Not in your timing - but His. And this is one of life's hardest lessons to learn.

Rest in the assurance that HE KNOWS and HE IS WITH YOU.

Remember past blessings. He has not forgotten you. You will get through.

Prayer request: Pray for those who really need to see God moving in their lives.

Prayer: LORD, we ask You to pour Your abundance of grace down on Your people. We are a hurting, worrying, prayerful bunch. Make Your divine presence known, ease our fears, help us each to find rest in You in ways only You can possibly provide. And as you pour down Your blessings, help us to always remember Your response to our cries for help, and carry those into our future to look back on and rejoice in Your presence. Amen

Freedom in the Spirit

Scripture: "The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang, "He is good; his love endures forever." (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)

Some of you may remember that I play drums in one of the worship teams at my church. The bass player and I are still working on our skill set on our instruments, and learning to take Sunday worship in stride, as we are still new to playing in front of others. But last Sunday I had one of those "a-ha" moments with God.

I was very nervous, since we've only played in front of the congregation on a few occasions. But just before we played for the first of the two services, I felt an unusual peace surround me. I believe this peace came from two realizations I had that finally sunk deep into my heart, and made the transition from just "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge." The first thought was, this isn't a "performance", so if I were to mess up, miss a beat or two or make any mistakes, I was playing FOR GOD. And no matter what happened during worship, I was playing my best for HIM. Of course I want to do well, what musician doesn't? But I walked into church with the attitude that I was going to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD". (Psalm 100:1) What truly mattered that I was going to play my drums FOR HIM, and do my best FOR HIM.

The second realization was that - should I make any mistakes, the congregation likely wouldn't even notice. I've been in the congregation when my friends would come off stage and say, "Oh wow, did you hear that wrong key? Did you hear us speed up at the end? Did you hear me totally lose my place?" And most the time, no one outside the band even noticed. Why? Because we were too busy worshiping and praising God!! And right behind the heels of this initial thought is that, even when the congregation DOES notice, it doesn't matter. We have a gracious congregation that will ride it out until the band rights itself, because, after all, it isn't about the band.

I found so much freedom in knowing I was playing for my Lord, and He was going to love me no matter what, and I would disappoint no one. I don't have a perfectionist attitude, but freedom to play, and if I mess up, I can laugh and make it right, because there is no condemnation in heaven or on earth for any errors along the way.

With that new sense of freedom, I not only played for God, but I entered into worship in a way that I would have - had I been sitting (off stage) with the congregation. I sang, I sort of danced behind the drums, I had so much joy playing for Him I forgot about everything else. And during the last few songs, I felt His presence about me in a strong and comforting way that I even had tears forming at the corners of my eyes!! God met me right where I was! It was amazing! My bandmates felt His presence too, I would later find out!

Our own lives are kind of like that. Being a Christian is HARD. Like me playing the drums, it's hard work, sometimes I fall out of practice. But I get behind them again and work at it all over again. Sometimes I mess up, sometimes I nail every beat perfectly. But with the Holy Spirit by our sides at all times, we can't go wrong. There is no condemnation in the struggle of being Christ-like. We stumble, we fall, and sometimes, we do everything just right. But God is looking down at us and smiling, because in the end, only HE matters; not what the world says or thinks, and that is what is really important in our lives!

Prayer request: That others may find freedom from their struggles and to allow God to do a mighty work in their lives, make Himself known to them, reveal Himself in a new way.

Prayer: Lord, we come to you with humble hearts and ask You to free our brothers and sisters from anything that is holding them back from having a full and close relationship with You. Break the shackles around their hearts and spirits and bring freedom in their lives in a new way. Amen