Our AMAZING God

Joshua 3:5
5 Joshua told the people, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you."

I encourage you to read all of Job 38 - as the Lord speaks - and shows how amazing He is... here's just a glimpse of His Hand.

Job 38 - selected
The LORD Speaks

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens My counsel with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.
5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?
6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-
7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 12 "Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place... 18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth? Tell me, if you know all this.
19 "What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside?
20 Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings?
21 Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years! 33 Do you know the laws of the heavens? Can you set up God's dominion over the earth?
34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water?
35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'?
36 Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?
37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds?

YOU AMAZE ME [song by Michael Neale]
The stars dance
The Moon glows
And I see You
When the winds blow
The mountains applaud You
And the oceans reflect You
The power of Heaven
Revealed in creation
And my heart shouts out
At the wonder of Your Name

You amaze
You amaze me
And my heart bows down before
The King of Glory
You amaze me
You amaze me
And I'm overwhelmed by Your
Great love and mercy
You amaze me

The sun burns
At morning
Revealing Your glory
The darkness is silenced
At the thunder of Your Presence
The power of Heaven
Revealed in redemption
And my heart shouts out at the
Wonder of Your Grace!

All we can do is thank God for His AMAZING love, power, grace and mercy!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

LISTEN...Before Praying

Psalm 66:16-20

16 Come and listen, all you who fear God;

let me tell you what He has done for me.
17 I cried out to Him with my mouth;

His praise was on my tongue.
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened;
19 but God has surely listened

and heard my voice in prayer.
20 Praise be to God,

who has not rejected my prayer

or withheld His love from me!

Deuteronomy 31:12

12 Assemble the people—men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law [God's Word].

Deuteronomy 32:1-2
1 Listen, O heavens, and I will speak;

hear, O earth, the words of My mouth.
2 Let My teaching fall like rain

and My words descend like dew,

like showers on new grass,

like abundant rain on tender plants.

Joshua 3:9-10

9 Joshua said to the Israelites, "Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you...

Judges 2:17 [WARNING]

17 Yet they would not listen to their judges but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. Unlike their fathers, they quickly turned from the way in which their fathers had walked, the way of obedience to the LORD's commands.

Psalm 81:10-12, 13

10 I am the LORD your God,

who brought you up out of Egypt.

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11 "But My people would not listen to Me;

Israel would not submit to Me.
12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts

to follow their own devices.

[The Solution]

13 "If my people would but listen to Me,

if Israel would follow My ways,
14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies

and turn My hand against their foes!

Psalm 85:7-9
7 Show us Your unfailing love, O LORD,

and grant us Your salvation.
8 I will listen to what God the LORD will say;

He promises peace to His people, His saints—

but let them not return to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near those who fear Him,

that His glory may dwell in our land.

[all emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

A Lesson from Asa

I've been studying (again) the life of Asa. I challenge you to read every passage about him in the Old Testament to get a grip on a life that was pleasing to the LORD - but one that didn't end that way. Asa started out with the right heart - but his heart grew proud, bent and cold before he died a miserable death. God was faithful - Asa wasn't. His life is a strong warning for us to guard our hearts and seek the LORD always.

Asa King of Judah

1 Kings 15:9-15

9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king of Judah, 10 and he reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. His grandmother's name was Maacah daughter of Abishalom.
11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as his [for] father David had done. 12 He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his fathers had made. 13 He even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut the pole down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. 14 Although he did not remove the high places, Asa's heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. 15 He brought into the temple of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated. [emphasis added]

2 Chronicles 16
Asa's Last Years

1 In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
2 Asa then took [stole] the silver and gold out of the treasuries of the LORD's temple and of his own palace and sent it to Ben-Hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.

The short of it is that Asa has his own idea (this time) of how to handle the enemies that are coming against him. He steels money from the temple treasury and offers it in a treaty with the enemy. He had always depended on God in the past - always sought God's ways and plans - but this time (he got too smart for his own good) and made his own plans. And they worked - but not without consequences. He patted himself on the back and left God out of the picture from there on out. He is warned by the profit, Hanani concerning his actions.

2 Chronicles 16 - selected

7 At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah and said to him: "Because you relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. 8...when you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. 9 For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war." 12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. 13 Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his fathers. [emphasis added]

What lesson are we to learn from Asa?

• Always seek the LORD in every situation
• Never forget Who God is and what He has done.
• Stay close to the LORD and He will stay close to you. [see James 4:8]
• When confronted with sin or an enemy's pursuit - cry out to God with a broken and sincere heart like Asa's great-great-great grandfather, David did.

Psalm 56 [David's Words]

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me;

all day long they press their attack.
2 My slanderers pursue me all day long;

many are attacking me in their pride.
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Feast on Your Inheritance

The LORD gave me this passage last night - may it bless your heart as it did mine. Ponder it and feast on His word and His promises. They're yours for the asking!

Isaiah 58:11-14

11 The LORD will guide you always;

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins

and will raise up the age-old foundations;

You will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,

Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath

and from doing as you please on my Holy Day,

if you call the Sabbath a delight

and the LORD's holy day honorable,

and if you honor it by not going your own way

and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,

and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land

and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."

The mouth of the LORD has spoken. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

What is My Desire?

Proverbs 9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Psalm 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments: His praise endures for ever.

1 John 5: 1-4,13-15
1 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves His child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. 3 This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world.

Concluding Remarks
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him. [emphasis added]

“I believe that my deepest truest desires

are actually the Creator’s desires for me…
your true desires are taking you along a continuum

that leads to a wiser, truer you.
Your deep desires are located in that well

that is your very soul, and God created our souls
to constantly move us toward health and wisdom and peace.
Within your soul’s mysteries is hidden

the vision of what you are becoming.”

– Vinita Hampton Wright

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

DAY 40 in the Desert of Waiting

Each time I have taken a journey (usually 40-days) with the LORD - I know in advance that He has something profound to teach me. Mostly He teaches me about myself - my frailties - pride issues that need to go - things that may inhibit His kingdom purposes. So I prepare by bracing myself to let go of all He shows me. He did that and so much more these past 40 days. Today as the night comes to a close it is a bittersweet place I find myself. God has shown me so much (this time) about HIMSELF - and who HE is - how faithful HE is - how much HE loves me - that HE desires good for me and all those around me. He has shown me the results of obedience without compromise - and even how to recognize the simple tactic of the enemy to disguise "compromise" as the enemy tries to make us fall for it. I didn't fall for it this time - but I almost did. This time I recognized it right away and God showed me that my pattern could and would change because of that recognition. I said this "ending day" is bittersweet because I feel so wrapped in the Father's arms - so loved and so close to Him that it's a place I never want to leave. He has shown me that I never have to leave it - as long an I remain in Him (the true Vine). I desire to move forward - into tomorrow because I know whenever a journey ends a new one (of much promise) is about to begin. God has been holding out promises to me over these 40 days as I was still and rested in the Desert of Waiting. I dug deep into His Word and devoured it like the most delectable of foods! You might say I have a "sweet tooth" for God's Word! Tomorrow I will set my foot into another territory of my Promised Land here on earth. I may have to fight an enemy or two to take the land that has been given to me - but I know I am already more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ. Bring 'em on! "Enemy - you are under my feet. "

Hebrews 11:8-10

8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. [emphasis added]

Now I know why- when I spoke at Bob's celebration service - I called my God - "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (a phrase I had never in my life used before). It was because God put that phrase on my lips that day. It would be a year an a half later when He would show me why. It is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom I have encountered personally and intimately through this journey. I have engaged with Him and He with me. Is it any wonder that He is a God of wonders? Don't ever let me lose my "wonder" of You, LORD!

Give me FAITH to Believe - and a heart to RECEIVE! I'm ready! Bring it all on!

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

A Little Taste of Heaven

Yesterday was Sunday - a day set apart for the LORD. I want to share what was so special about yesterday - what set that day apart - unto Him.

It began as a blessed morning with my grand-kids - but that wasn't what set it apart. I anticipated what the LORD would speak to me through Pastor Russell Howard's Sunday School class - he spoke on the life of Joseph - and it was all that God wanted to speak to me about my own life. But as great as his teaching was - that wasn't what set the day apart for the LORD. Dr. Powell also had a wonderful message about marriage - present - past and future marriages - but even that wasn't it either - though it spoke to me and blessed my heart.

What set apart the day for the LORD happened during the preparation in worship. It wasn't the beginning choruses and hymns that were sung - nor as the more than 100 choir members stood and sang their hearts out - in a song I think was called: All Rise, nor when I rose to my feet (alone) to give honor and praise to the LORD.

What set the day apart unto the LORD was one choir member who caught my eye as she sang the words to All Rise. I felt the worship in my own heart because of the worship that exuded from her. She was in her sixties (I'm guessing). Her heart poured out with emotion - she could barely sing the words. I closed my eyes several times as we sang but each time I opened them I was drawn to her face. Tears of JOY rolled down her cheeks as our eyes met. I could not help but smile at her - to let her know that my heart was right in line with hers in praise to the God of Universe as we worshiped Him together.

I've been reading several books (this week) - one of which is Don Piper's book: 90 Minutes in Heaven. In it, he shares about his experience of heaven - the sounds, the music and the singing. I couldn't help but think (when I watched this woman singing) that we shared "a little taste of heaven" - what it will be like when we are in the very Presence of Almighty God - our Messiah - Jehovah - and will sing praise from our hearts with JOY.

Psalm 63:3-5

3 But may the righteous be glad

and rejoice before God;

may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing praise to His Name,

extol Him who rides on the clouds—

His Name is the LORD—

and rejoice before Him.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,

is God in His holy dwelling.

Psalm 104:31-34

31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD rejoice in His works-
32 He who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him,

as I rejoice in the LORD. [emphasis added]

Choosing JOY,

Stephanie

Day 39 of 40 - in The Desert of Waiting