What Will You Do?

What will you do?

"All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!" (Numbers 14:2, NIV)

As I read through the Old Testament, I am always struck by the lack of faith the Israelites failed to demonstrate despite the miracles God demonstrated in their lives as they wandered through the desert for forty years. I find myself asking the question (again and again): How could they not trust the God who delivered them from slavery? What was it that robbed them of faithfully trusting God’s promises, miracles and commands? The obvious answer is that they lacked faith in God. They never determined to trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. How does their life (God’s chosen people Israel) contrast with the lives of Christians today? God delivered them with miracles, signs and wonders from Egyptian slavery, parted the Red Sea and enabled them to walk through it on dry land, fed them with manna from heaven, and quenched their thirst with water from a rock. Still, they didn’t trust this same God who said He gave to them a land flowing with milk and honey. They were afraid of the inhabitants who occupied the land. They constantly said they were better off in Egypt. In America, Christians go to church on Sunday where they are reminded of the grace, mercy and love God has for them. Regardless of the level of their spiritual maturity, their motivation, traditions or habits, Christians gather together in the presence of Almighty God. When we exit the doors of our local churches, what becomes of our attitudes toward God, toward fellow Christians, toward others not part of our church? The Old Testament Jews were not gifted with the Holy Spirit in their life as New Testament Christian believers. Christians don’t require signs and wonders to know God is faithful to His promises. Christians are told that we are all sinners, that there is none righteous, not even one. Christians know that no one can stand before the presence of God on their own merit and be justified. It takes the redemptive work of Jesus Christ to justify anyone before the judgment of God. So Christians have no reason to grumble, complain, quarrel, or lack true faith! I am grieved when I hear Christians complain. I am just as grieved when I hear some of the words that have been uttered from my lips. Despite my grief, it cannot compare to the sadness our words produce when they echo in the heavens before God. When I look back at my life, I can clearly see how it was the grace of God which carried me through each and every trial I faced. When I hear the words, Jehovah-Jireh, I know God is my provider. God provides! I know that the grace of God carries me throughout the days of my life, so while I am tempted to complain and grumble, I must refrain. I have determined to trust the outcome of my day to the providence of God’s amazing grace. When I hear others speak of how good they had it before, I won’t complain. When I hear others speak of how terrible the United States is, I won’t complain. When others rail against political leaders, I won’t complain. When religious leaders are exposed for immoral conduct, I won’t complain. I will pray. I will remember that I am not worthy of the many blessings God has showered in my life. I will remember that God has been merciful to me when by all accounts, I deserved no mercy. I will remember that God loved me when I myself did not love Him. I will thank God for His infinite love which He gives to all. I will pray. God said, “This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” (Hebrews 10:16, NIV) I will embrace the covenant of God because He has written His words in my heart. I will remember the word of God says, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:20, NASB) My life is not my own, I belong to God. Because of this I am not conforming to this world I live in, I am being transformed as God has said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2, NASB) I will pray that each day, my life is being transformed into a truer reflection of Jesus Christ. My thoughts, words, behavior and life reflect Jesus not the man I once was. What will you do today? MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Touched By God

Touched By God (image courtesy of branham.org)

I never tire of reading about the patriarchs in the Old Testament. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob provide me with insights to the subject of biblical faith. For me it is like gazing at a beautiful painting that a person visits again and again in some art gallery; sitting for hours and admiring each beautiful stroke. Unlike a beautiful work of art, the lives of these men strike a chord with me because they all faced adversity, obstacles, and discouragement. Their journeys did not begin with confident faith in God, but over time, in spite of their individual failures, they persevered and became men of faith. I am reminded of times in my life when my faith was challenged, and for me it inevitably comes down to a choice between life and death; without Christ, my life is doomed to failure, frustration and discouragement. None of us has the ability to see the road which lies ahead. Perhaps if we could, our choices would be different, but good or bad, right or wrong, I make choices in life that I hope produce a favorable outcome. I suppose, that can be viewed as selfish, but I don’t believe it is selfish for a father to love his children, a husband or wife to love each other, to love a friend, or simply to love others as much as I love myself. At some point in our lives, we will face a crisis of some type, be it death, illness, or catastrophe; something which reminds us that we are powerless to face the obstacle that lies on the road ahead of us. I have to believe that for Jacob, the only thing that mattered the night he wrestled with God was to discover the height, length, breadth and width of God’s touch. I have brothers, but I have never known the fear that my brother wanted to kill me. Jacob lived with that fear for twenty years. Can you imagine his thoughts when God spoke to him? “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.” I can only imagine what questions went through his mind: Go back to the place I fled twenty years ago? Have I forgotten the reason why I left? Has Esau forgotten or forgiven me in twenty years? Does Esau still want me dead? The words, “I will be with you” remind me of what the writer of Hebrews quoted, “God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” To know that God is with you every step of the way instills confidence in a person; enough confidence to return and face possible death. Yet, confidence alone isn’t always enough. Sometimes we need a little reassurance, a spiritual pat on the back. Jacob needed it that night. Like the centurion soldier, Jacob humbled himself in the presence of God and said, I’m not worthy of all you’ve done for me. I left with nothing, and I’m returning with a family, livestock, servants, and wealth. I have been a “grabber” all my life; holding on to what I wanted most. But now, I want to lay hold of what has laid hold to me! Have you ever felt that moment of desperation when all you could do is call on the name of the Lord? Sometimes it comes from a sense of panic or fear. Other times it comes from the knowledge that there is no other help you know. Whatever the reason, you find yourself calling on Jesus to come to your aid. You grapple with a spiritual battle whether you know it or not. The bible declares that: “...we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” So the real opposition is spiritual, not physical, emotional, financial, or intellectual; it pits you against the powers that oppose God. I don’t know if Jacob understood this when he grabbed on to God as he pleaded for help from the only one capable of helping him; the God of Abraham and Isaac. This same God is also the God of Jacob. What does this me for you? He is your God as well! It is not the length of our prayers, or the many words that one utters that matter. It is our willingness to trust God with the outcome. To enter into agreement with Him; to say, Amen! Maybe you won’t have a dislocated hip at the conclusion of your prayer, but you will have an answer! Maybe your answer will take time. Are you willing to faithfully wait? Maybe your answer is “No”. Are you faithful enough to trust that God knows best? Whatever God says in answer to your prayer, know that He will touch your life in a way like no one else can. Do you need to be touched? Stretch out your hand to the God of heaven and earth. One touch from the Master will radically change your life. Let Him touch you, right now where you are. Jesus: I need you in my life. I need you to bless my life, my relationships, my family. Someone I know and love needs Your protection. Touch them right now Lord. Whatever You do, it’s alright with me. I believe You are working a plan for my life and that plan will prosper in me. Bless me Lord. Not because I’m worthy, but because You are merciful, gracious, and loving. Guide me Lord in the way I should go because You order my steps. You are Son of the Most High God and I give You all the praise, with my whole heart, mind, soul, body and strength. Thank You right now Lord for Your blessed goodness. Amen. MTJ

Thank you for reading this blog: I just want to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. By taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog you encourage to me. Many of you who visit will from time to time leave a comment, that stirs my soul with gratitude. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came here. I hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I am ready to pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Please feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I cannot say it enough, but thank you for the light of Christ in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).