Danny received the call from his commanding officer to gather his gear and be ready to board the plane in one hour. Danny was a soldier but he hated the thought of going into battle. Worst of all he hated the gear he had to put on every time he walked out of his home, a tent, in the middle of the desert. But, Danny knew that he was expected to be prepared so he grabbed his duffle bag and began to place the items that he was required to take with him in the bag.
He always kept this uniform pressed and ready, hanging by the door for just such a moment as this. His shoes were polished and neatly placed next to his uniform. His weapons were polished as well and were so clean and shiny that he was sure his commander would be impressed with such care. His belt had a shiny brass buckle on it and he remembered how long it took him to get that buckle to shine.
Danny placed all the things he was supposed to carry; his helmet, his weapons, his bullet proof vest, his boots, and his uniform into his bag. He took one last look around the room and grabbed the bag and headed out the door. Setting on Danny’s desk was his Bible, but Danny didn’t think he would have much time to read that on the battlefield so he didn’t bother to put in it his bag.
Once Danny and the other members of his troop reached their destination Danny’s commanding officer usher them into the tent and gave them their orders. Danny was going to have to guard the perimeters of the compound where they were staying for the next few months. The other men who had been there for several weeks were given some time off. So Danny dressed in his battle fatigues, put on his helmet and his vest, put his weapons over his shoulder and around his waist and headed out of the tent for his duties of guarding the base. Danny took his job very seriously and the first night he was wide awake hearing every sound that was made out in the distance. He knew that the men here were counting on him to protect them from the enemy.
Several nights passed and Danny was growing tired of the monotonous walk hour after hour around the perimeters of the compound and every time he had to put on his uniform he grew tired of wearing all those heavy jackets. The hot boots and long sleeves on his uniform, not to mention the bullet proof vest, and oh the weapons must have weighed 50 pounds at least. Danny began to think, “I’ve been out here walking this fence row for days and haven’t seen one thing.” So the next evening Danny decided that he wasn’t going to wear that hot and heavy bullet proof vest. And just as he suspected nothing happened. So again, Danny’s thoughts turned to his uniform. “I hate these heavy weapons. I think I will just leave them back in the tent and if I see something I can always get back to my tent and get my weapons, no problem.” This went on for several more days and Danny was feeling pretty secure. He had been out there for over two weeks now and nothing has happened and no one even knew he was out of uniform. It was late and everyone was asleep anyway.
Suddenly Danny heard something in the distance. He stopped to listen, but nothing. He thought to himself “ I’m beginning to hear things”. Then there it was again but it was so far way he reassured himself that nothing was there and he just continued to pace back and forth along the fence. Within just seconds Danny was overtaken by the enemy. He reached for his weapons but they weren’t there. The enemy had overtaken him by surprise. As he struggled with them he fell and he hit is head hard and was knocked unconscious. When Danny woke up the first person he saw was his commander. He felt horribly ashamed. He was afraid to ask what happened.
His commander pulled up a chair and sat down next to Danny’s bed in the infirmary. “Danny, he said, I have something to tell you.” and he reached over to touch Danny’s arm. Danny could barely hold back the tears. What had he done? His commander went on. “Danny, while you were guarding the perimeters of the compound I was watching you. You didn’t know that I was there but I was. Night after night I watched you begin to let down your guard and I watched the enemy getting closer and closer. I saw the enemy attack you and when that time came I was there, you don’t remember it but I took care of you and you are alive today because I was watching over you.” Your fellow soldiers came to your rescue as well and they were able to keep the enemy from taking over the compound.
Danny could not control the tears as the weight of what he had done over took him. He felt the pain in his chest and looked to see that his wounds had been bandaged, he was going to be alright. But suddenly he realized that not only had he taken off his protective clothing and laid down his weapons but he had also left the one weapon of defense that he needed most laying on the dresser in his bedroom. His Bible. Danny’s commander had allowed him to experience physical pain from disobeying His commands by not being adequately protected but Danny also experienced spiritual pain by leaving behind his weapons of battle for a spiritual warfare. Danny knew there were consequences to his actions and he couldn’t believe that his commander wasn’t there to take him to jail for what he had done. He put everyone there in harms way and he knew that he would have to pay for that decision. But, his commander leaned forward and told Danny. “Don’t worry everything has been taken care of, I have paid for your mistake. Danny’s heart was overjoyed. He had been set free from the penalty of death for his actions and his commander had taken care of everything. But why? Why had he done that. Danny knew that he deserved to be punished for his actions so why did is commander take the wrap for him. Because the commanding officer was Danny’s father.
You see God commands us to be prepared for battle and to wear the proper clothing and have the proper weapons, but when the time comes for us to do battle he is not going to force us to wear those weapons of war. He leaves that decision up to us. He is there watching but he doesn’t interfere with our decisions to disobey. He does however, watch over us and keep us safe from the enemy. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to put on the full amour of God so that we can stand firm against the schemes of the devil. If we do not wear the proper protective clothing in the battle then the enemy, Satan, can sneak up on us and take us captive. Thankfully we have a heavenly Father who is watching over us as dress for battle and even when we leave off some of the armor He is able to keep us from becoming a statistic of war. He will not always keep us from harm sometime He will let the darts penetrate those areas that we have left vulnerable to attack. But He is there to help us up and to keep the enemy from destroying us because he is our Father and He loves us that much.
We cannot begin to know to what lengths Satan will go to destroy us, but greater lengths does our Heavenly Father go so SAVE US!
My prayer is that you will be blessed and dressed (for the battle belongs to the Lord)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
God's Timing
God’s Timing- February 16, 2009
Have you ever had news that just drew the breath right out of the air and when it was all over you found yourself asking God “why now”. I had news today that left me doing just that. While I thought that God’s timing and mine seemed to be heading down the same path the news that was shared with me today left me wondering if I had misread or misinterpreted God’s timing. With tear-filled eyes I decided that I needed to get away for a few minutes to process the information and have a moment with the Lord. So I got in my car and headed to Wal-Mart, I needed to pick up some items there and it was a good excuse to leave the office.
It was lunch time when I returned from my errand and so I popped my lunch into the microwave and over lunch tried to reconcile the information I had received. There was no way. I couldn’t. It just didn’t make sense. How could God have let this happen? I hadn’t been at my computer for most of the morning. Only long enough to weed through the funk mail in my folder. But when I returned from lunch and opened my inbox there it was. An email that simply said “God’s Timing”. Okay I’m intrigued so I read it. There is was in black and white the words I have heard 100 times, no a 1000 times. Our timing is not God’s. In the paragraphs that followed those words were a reminder. Yes, I have read stories upon stories about God’s timing not being the same as ours but while I knew in my head the truth about those words I was having a problem getting them into my heart.
As I read the devotion the author reminded me that God’s timing is perfect. God had called David to be the King long before he ever took the throne. (Twenty years to be exact.) He was going to take David into the wilderness, literally, hiding in a cave for fear that Saul was going to kill him. You know that he must have asked God many times during those years “when”. “Did you not call me and anoint me as King? If so, why is it taking so long?” Do you think that God was confused about David’s call? No, none of us would because we know the end of the story. But, in the midst of our questions God provides us a glimpse into His time table. What David did not know was that God was positioning him to take the throne at the proper time. We can see now in the pages of history. Like David God positioned another biblical character to become queen and to be the one who would save her people, Esther. God’s timing in her life took years as well.
Ok, I understand that. It takes years sometimes for God’s purpose to be revealed. Although I am saddened and confused it really does come down to trusting God. Do I believe that God is who he said he is? Do I believe that God can do what He said he will do? Do I believe that God has a purpose and a plan to prosper and not to harm? The answer to those questions is yes. Yes I believe. But, I don’t understand. I still have questions. I still wait on the Lord for answers but I have to believe that God does not do anything in vain. His plan is perfect. His will is made known to those who truly seek Him. I still have questions and I think that’s okay. But, I know he has the answers and I will trust that the plans he has for me are good and I will yield to the higher power on this one.
Have you ever had news that just drew the breath right out of the air and when it was all over you found yourself asking God “why now”. I had news today that left me doing just that. While I thought that God’s timing and mine seemed to be heading down the same path the news that was shared with me today left me wondering if I had misread or misinterpreted God’s timing. With tear-filled eyes I decided that I needed to get away for a few minutes to process the information and have a moment with the Lord. So I got in my car and headed to Wal-Mart, I needed to pick up some items there and it was a good excuse to leave the office.
It was lunch time when I returned from my errand and so I popped my lunch into the microwave and over lunch tried to reconcile the information I had received. There was no way. I couldn’t. It just didn’t make sense. How could God have let this happen? I hadn’t been at my computer for most of the morning. Only long enough to weed through the funk mail in my folder. But when I returned from lunch and opened my inbox there it was. An email that simply said “God’s Timing”. Okay I’m intrigued so I read it. There is was in black and white the words I have heard 100 times, no a 1000 times. Our timing is not God’s. In the paragraphs that followed those words were a reminder. Yes, I have read stories upon stories about God’s timing not being the same as ours but while I knew in my head the truth about those words I was having a problem getting them into my heart.
As I read the devotion the author reminded me that God’s timing is perfect. God had called David to be the King long before he ever took the throne. (Twenty years to be exact.) He was going to take David into the wilderness, literally, hiding in a cave for fear that Saul was going to kill him. You know that he must have asked God many times during those years “when”. “Did you not call me and anoint me as King? If so, why is it taking so long?” Do you think that God was confused about David’s call? No, none of us would because we know the end of the story. But, in the midst of our questions God provides us a glimpse into His time table. What David did not know was that God was positioning him to take the throne at the proper time. We can see now in the pages of history. Like David God positioned another biblical character to become queen and to be the one who would save her people, Esther. God’s timing in her life took years as well.
Ok, I understand that. It takes years sometimes for God’s purpose to be revealed. Although I am saddened and confused it really does come down to trusting God. Do I believe that God is who he said he is? Do I believe that God can do what He said he will do? Do I believe that God has a purpose and a plan to prosper and not to harm? The answer to those questions is yes. Yes I believe. But, I don’t understand. I still have questions. I still wait on the Lord for answers but I have to believe that God does not do anything in vain. His plan is perfect. His will is made known to those who truly seek Him. I still have questions and I think that’s okay. But, I know he has the answers and I will trust that the plans he has for me are good and I will yield to the higher power on this one.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
ROSES ARE RED- February 12, 2009
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you. I remember that little nursery rhyme from my childhood and even shared it with my own children as they were growing up. That little rhyme hit me like a ton of bricks as I recall harsh words and ugly actions towards others. There are days when I get up and I feel anything but sweet. The world has interrupted my fairytale dream of how life is supposed to be and I am left with a choice to make. Will I be kind and loving or will I be mean-spirited and hateful. My fears and anxieties over my own inadequacies flood my mind. My inability to make everyone happy crowds into my thoughts and squeezes the life out of me. I want to scream! Ever feel like that?
Do you ever think that life has given you anything but a fairytale? I know that I do. As little girls we watched Cinderella and Snow White and saw as their lives were transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. They were beautiful and sweet, kind and gentle young ladies who endured harsh realities in their fairytale life but in the end they were rescued from those unloving families and saved by the prince. One thing those fairytale princesses had in common, they were beautiful inside and out. Who wouldn’t love someone like that? Who wouldn’t want to be her? But they are just fairytale lives.
Everyday we have a choice to make. God has looked past the all the make-up and jewelry and fine dress and sees what is on the inside of our hearts. We can choose to live life thinking that God loves me just the way I am and do nothing to change or we can purpose in our hearts that God loves me just the way I am but His desire is that I become just like Him. I can choose to be angry or I can choose to laugh. I can choose to love or I can choose to hate. I can choose to rejoice or I can choose sorrow. I can choose bitterness or I can choose forgiveness. Through all of these things God has given me the ability to choose. The wonderful thing about all of these choices is that God has said if you want to make the right choice, here is what you need to do. “ I have written several wonderful books for you to read. I have put them all in one volume and it’s called the Bible. Have you ever read it?” Do you want to read a love story, try my book on called the Song of Solomon? Do you want a book about parenting, I have one called Proverbs. Do you like mysteries? I have several of those in there. I heard you like the story of Cinderella, but I have a real life story of a young girl names Esther who became a queen.”
Ouch! That hurts. Jesus set before us a wonderful example to live by. His life is not a fairytale, it is truth and beauty and grace and mercy and joy and gladness and love. God loves me unconditionally. Warts and all but he has said that we can be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Women love stories of transformation. We are drawn to them. We love movies and TV shows about Cinderella lives. We love seeing the girl rescued by the handsome prince. We love the stories of taking a less than beautiful girl and transforming her into and exquisite and beautiful woman. We love to watch HGTV and Extreme Makeover because secretly we want to be the one who is getting the makeover!
God listens when I complain about the unfairness of life, and how I deserve better. Then he gently reminds me that I have a choice to make and only He and I can work on this. It is not my family’s responsibility to make me happy. It is not my boss or co-workers responsibility to make me happy. It is mine. I can change the way I think. I can renew my mind. The Message Bible reads this way; So here's what I want you to do,(so practical) God helping you: (I cannot do it alone) Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering ( that just about covers everything). Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to (and accepting of) your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Embrace what God does for you. He changes you from the inside out and then you really sweet as sugar!
Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you. I remember that little nursery rhyme from my childhood and even shared it with my own children as they were growing up. That little rhyme hit me like a ton of bricks as I recall harsh words and ugly actions towards others. There are days when I get up and I feel anything but sweet. The world has interrupted my fairytale dream of how life is supposed to be and I am left with a choice to make. Will I be kind and loving or will I be mean-spirited and hateful. My fears and anxieties over my own inadequacies flood my mind. My inability to make everyone happy crowds into my thoughts and squeezes the life out of me. I want to scream! Ever feel like that?
Do you ever think that life has given you anything but a fairytale? I know that I do. As little girls we watched Cinderella and Snow White and saw as their lives were transformed from ordinary to extraordinary. They were beautiful and sweet, kind and gentle young ladies who endured harsh realities in their fairytale life but in the end they were rescued from those unloving families and saved by the prince. One thing those fairytale princesses had in common, they were beautiful inside and out. Who wouldn’t love someone like that? Who wouldn’t want to be her? But they are just fairytale lives.
Everyday we have a choice to make. God has looked past the all the make-up and jewelry and fine dress and sees what is on the inside of our hearts. We can choose to live life thinking that God loves me just the way I am and do nothing to change or we can purpose in our hearts that God loves me just the way I am but His desire is that I become just like Him. I can choose to be angry or I can choose to laugh. I can choose to love or I can choose to hate. I can choose to rejoice or I can choose sorrow. I can choose bitterness or I can choose forgiveness. Through all of these things God has given me the ability to choose. The wonderful thing about all of these choices is that God has said if you want to make the right choice, here is what you need to do. “ I have written several wonderful books for you to read. I have put them all in one volume and it’s called the Bible. Have you ever read it?” Do you want to read a love story, try my book on called the Song of Solomon? Do you want a book about parenting, I have one called Proverbs. Do you like mysteries? I have several of those in there. I heard you like the story of Cinderella, but I have a real life story of a young girl names Esther who became a queen.”
Ouch! That hurts. Jesus set before us a wonderful example to live by. His life is not a fairytale, it is truth and beauty and grace and mercy and joy and gladness and love. God loves me unconditionally. Warts and all but he has said that we can be “transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Women love stories of transformation. We are drawn to them. We love movies and TV shows about Cinderella lives. We love seeing the girl rescued by the handsome prince. We love the stories of taking a less than beautiful girl and transforming her into and exquisite and beautiful woman. We love to watch HGTV and Extreme Makeover because secretly we want to be the one who is getting the makeover!
God listens when I complain about the unfairness of life, and how I deserve better. Then he gently reminds me that I have a choice to make and only He and I can work on this. It is not my family’s responsibility to make me happy. It is not my boss or co-workers responsibility to make me happy. It is mine. I can change the way I think. I can renew my mind. The Message Bible reads this way; So here's what I want you to do,(so practical) God helping you: (I cannot do it alone) Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering ( that just about covers everything). Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to (and accepting of) your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Embrace what God does for you. He changes you from the inside out and then you really sweet as sugar!
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