Category: March

Caving In

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

Or should we call it making the ‘popular’ choice?March 30 2015 Caving In

In 1 Samuel, Saul disobeyed God by keeping some of the ‘stuff’ that they took from the Amalekites after defeating them.  When Samuel pointed this out to Saul, Saul rationalized the sin by telling Samuel that they did this so they could give the best of the sheep and cattle to God.

Samuel then tells Saul that the Lord didn’t want the burnt sacrifices as much as he wanted obedience.  As a result of Saul’s disobedience and rebellion, God was rejecting Saul as king.

Well, NOW Saul admitted that the real reason he kept the plunder was because he was afraid of how his men would react if he destroyed it all like God wanted him to do.

Saul didn’t trust God.  He didn’t believe God had his back.  He got all wrapped up in being a hotshot king that everyone looked up to and he didn’t want to put any of this hero-worship into jeopardy.

So Saul made the ‘popular’ choice rather than the obedient one.

Do we ever do that?  Are we ever more concerned about what other people think than what God thinks?  Do we fail to take the more Godly position on issues sometimes because it may not go over well with others?  What will people think?

We probably all do.  Maybe even without realizing it.

Our goal is that this happens less and less as we make obedience to God an increasingly higher priority in our hearts and minds.

God trumps popularity.

Every time.

We love you, Abba Father and we want to show you our love through our obedience.

Kind of Sad

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

As we read through the last chapters of Judges, we see that the Israelites were trying to take care of problems and issues but they were still making bad decisions. March 24 2015 Kind of Sad

The tribes were fighting against each other and almost anihilated the Benjamites.

After all the other tribes made a vow against the Benjamites, they quickly proceeded to figure out a ‘work around’ to the vow.

They were obviously struggling.

And its kind of sad.

But – think about it – they didn’t have the word of God written out for them like we do.  The Bible I have opened on my lap right now is a huge blessing.  I can read God’s word anytime I want.

They also didn’t have the Holy Spirit living inside of them like we do.  What a difference!  We have a constant companion who will guide us and comfort us and reveal the truth to us and correct us – we just need to listen and do our part.

I can’t imagine trying to live a life that pleases God without having the Holy Spirit.

It would probably look a lot like what the Israelites went through in the Old Testament.

Thank you, dear Father, for the blessings of your word and your Holy Spirit in our lives.

Caleb is one of my Heroes

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

I want to be like Caleb.  Every time the Bible mentions him, he is faithfully following God.

He and Joshua were in the group of spies Moses sent to the Promised Land.  They were the only men of the group that said the Israelites should take the land.  They believed that God would give them victory over the large warriors that inhabited the land and all of the huge fortified cities.  Because of their strong faith, Joshua and Caleb were the only 2 people from their generation who actually got to go into the Promised Land.March 13 2015 Caleb is my hero

Caleb is not mentioned often in the Bible but, when he is, he is always doing what pleases God.  He is always believing in God, obeying God and is willing to stand up for his beliefs against opposition.

What a great role-model!  That is why he is one of my heroes in the Bible.

He isn’t one of the main players in history.  But, when it counts, he could always be counted on.

We can’t all live the epic life of faith in the spotlight that Abraham and Moses lived.  They were central characters right in the middle of what God was doing.  Most of us are called to be like Caleb – on the sidelines but faithfully playing our part in what God is doing.  We need to consistently stay on course to complete the purpose God has given us – always ready to support the Abrahams and Moses’ of our time who are up on stage, leading and also just trying to obey the call that God has put on their lives.  We encourage them.  We pray for them.

As we travel this road of faith together…..

always ready to listen to God.

always ready to obey.

Faithful.

Please help us follow Caleb’s example, all for your glory, Abba Father.

Blessed When Others Give

On By Judy GlasserIn March4 Comments

Ruth, a Moabite woman, decided to go back to her mother-in-law’s homeland with her after both of their husbands died.  We read in Ruth 2 that, when they got back to Bethlehem, Ruth went to the field of her clansmen to pick the leftover grain.march 22 2015 blessed by other's extras

This reminded me of the section we read in Deuteronomy a couple of weeks ago where God commanded the Israelites to leave the excess grain in the field after harvesting – they were not to go back over the field.  This excess was for the poor, the strangers and the widows in their community.

Now we see Ruth and Naomi benefitting from this command.

How interesting!

Especially considering that Ruth would become the great-grandmother of King David and this puts her in the lineage of Jesus.  She was an important person in our family of faith.

And God provided for her through other people giving away their excess.

We know God still does this today.  When we give ‘stuff’ away, others benefit.  God provides for others using the stuff that we clean out of our closets or our sheds or our garages.

That reminds me – there are a couple of tubs of ‘stuff’ in my shed I really need to go through.  I haven’t thought of those tubs since we moved in 4 years ago.  There might be some good things I can pass along as a blessing to someone else.  We obviously don’t use it  🙂

Please open our eyes, Abba Father.

It’s So Easy

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

March 17 2015 Its so EasyIt’s so easy to listen to the selfish, sinful thoughts that come into our minds.  Satan’s team is also always there – encouraging us to focus on ourselves and what we want.

We take our eyes off of God.

We wander away.

It doesn’t take any effort at all.

This is what happened to the Israelites after Joshua died.  They didn’t finish the job of completely take over the Promised land.  Despite all of their promises to God, they let the pagans continue to live in the land.

It was easier.

Some of the pagans were forced into being servants for the Israelites but they stayed…

along with all of their idols and false gods.

This began a period of decline for the Israelite nation.

Yes, the idols became snares for them.

Yes, the false gods became traps.

The Israelites disobeyed God and began to experience significant adversity in their lives as a result of their bad choices.

Just like we do when we choose to disobey….when we make decisions without consulting God and his truth….when we focus on our own desires rather than God’s.

Fortunately, we read over and over in the Old Testament that the Israelites also recognized their rebellion and repented.  They turned away from the things that were trapping them.  They turned back to God – just like we need to do when we recognize our own rebellion.  Our own sin.

Dear Father, Please guide us back to you whenever we wander.

Snares and Traps

On By Judy GlasserIn March1 Comment

Do we have people in our lives who create snares and traps for us?  Do they influence us to do things we shouldn’t do?  To say things we shouldn’t say?

Joshua warned the Israelites in Joshua 23 not to associate themselves with the pagan survivors who still lived in the Promised Land.  He reminded them that God would not accept this behavior and it would cause them to perish.March 15 2015 snares and traps

These relationships would become whips on their backs – causing them pain and anguish.

These relationships would become thorns in their eyes – clouding their ability to see the truth and walk in the light.

The decisions we make about who to associate with are just as important today.  These relationship can either encourage us to grow on our path of faith or they will become stumbling blocks to our growth.  These relationships will either push us onward as we run this race of faith or they will ensnare us, holding back the transformation God has planned for us as he molds us to become more like Jesus.

We make the choice.

Please help us choose wisely, dear Father.

The Sun Stood Still

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

The sun stopped in the middle of the sky for almost an entire day so the Israelites could have more time to battle and win over the Amorites.March 12 2015 the sun stood still

The sun stopped.

So the earth had to stop revolving.

And the universe stopped its regular course.

The Creator of the Universe said “stop” and everything stopped.

I love these instances in the Bible where God exercises his total control over all things.  It is such a clear reminder of who he is.  How omnipotent he is.

Later in the Bible, we will read about how Jesus calmed the storm.  The wind and the waves stopped when he gave the command.  Because Jesus was in control.

We will also read of Jesus walking on the water.  Because he created the water and he can make it do whatever he wants.gdtDSC_0639

Last year at this time, I was in Israel – on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee when the wind started picking up.  It whipped through the open boat bringing a shimmer  of excitement.  How easy it was to imagine the King of the Universe calming the wind or walking out on the water to our boat!

Thank you, Abba Father.

Our Father God is in total control of our day today.

Thank you, Abba Father.

The earth continues to revolve because that is his desire.

Thank you, Abba Father.

The bright sun rose in the sky this morning because of God’s love and faithfulness to us.

Thank you, Abba Father.

I will take my next breath because my Father God is making that possible.  He provides the air.  He provides life to this body.

Thank you, Abba Father.

 

 

It’s Our History

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

At this time last year, I had the privilege of visiting Israel.  Other people who had taken the trip told me that it would change how I read the Bible for the rest of my life.

They were so right.

As we’re reading this famous story of the walls of Jericho falling down, I remember how it felt to be sitting on a hill in the new Jericho.  The old Jericho was cursed so the new Jericho was built close to the old city but not at the same place.aaaDSC_0310

Our tour guide was Dr. Woodrow Kroll who was leading his 50th group through Israel.  He stood in front of us on a hill with his back to the city (picture) so we could look down at this land promised to the Israelites thousands of years ago.  He read from the Bible the historical account – the marching, the yelling, the trumpet blowing and, finally, the walls tumbling down.

Sometimes when we hear about the ‘stories’ of the Bible or read one of these historical events that have become a well-known Children’s Bible story, we can start to think that these stories are folklore, handed down through the generations.

That’s not true about the Bible.  The Bible is a historical account of events that happened.  The miracles in the Bible actually took place, they weren’t computer generated like they are in the movies.aaDSC_0307

Archeological findings continue to prove the historical truth of the Bible.  The amount of conflicting archeological findings is growing smaller as more and more things are being discovered that verify the historical accuracy of the Bible.  They just haven’t found everything yet.  When they do, there will be no more conflicts.

The Bible is not filled with ‘stories’.  It is history – our history as children of Abraham.  Children of the faith.  The places are there.  The proof is there.

If you ever get a chance to go, pack your bags.  It will change how you read the Bible…forever.

Thank you, Abba Father.

 

 

Faithful Leaders

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

March 10 b 2015 Faithful leadersAs Joshua was giving directions to the fighting men of Israel, they committed to do whatever he commanded them to do and then they finish their statement with some very important words – Be strong and courageous.

Didn’t we just hear God say that same phrase to Joshua several times?

God has just told Joshua that his strength and courage would need to come from God himself.  Joshua would not be able to do what he was going to need to do on his own.

Now the Israelites were telling Joshua that they needed him to be strong and courageous.  He was their leader.  They needed him to be relying on God so that they could all be successful.

We need the same thing from our spiritual leaders today.  We count on them to be in-line with God so they are hearing his voice and doing his will.  Some of us are in positions of spiritual leadership and this reminds us of our huge responsibility to keep in step with the Holy Spirit.  It is never about what we want – it’s all about what God wants.  When our faith is strong, we are hearing and we are following.

If we’re not in this good place with our faith, we should not be in a position of spiritual leadership.  If we’re not listening, we become an obstacle to God’s will being done here on earth.

When we’re relying on God, he makes us strong and courageous – qualities that are required for spiritual leadership.

Those that are following us are counting on it.

Thank you for strength and courage, dear Father.

Where Do I Find My Strength?

On By Judy GlasserIn MarchLeave a comment

Our to-do lists are long.

And they keep growing.march 10 2015 where is my strength

There are so many challenges ahead.  It can be overwhelming.

Where do we find the strength?

Joshua must have felt completely overwhelmed when Moses turned over leadership of the Israelites to him.  He was going to have to lead them into battle – over and over – in order to claim the Promised Land.  They could see the Promised Land.  They could also see the fortified cities that were already there and the crowds of people who inhabited them.

The book of Joshua begins with God giving instructions to this new, young leader.  ‘Be strong and courageous’.  God repeats this phrase three times in his first set of instructions to Joshua.

3 times.

Why?  Because Joshua was going to have to remember that he needed God’s help to do this.  This was way too big of a mission to try to pull off on his own.  Joshua by himself is not strong enough for what he is going to have to do.  Joshua by himself is not brave enough to face the challenges that lie ahead for the Israelites. So God is telling Joshua what he will give Joshua strength and courage – as long as Joshua depends on God.

God is telling us the same thing today as we read his words.  He will give us strength and courage for the journey we are on – the purpose we are here to fulfill.

We can be strong –  it comes from God.

We can have courage – God has our back.  There is no reason to be afraid.

We find strength and courage when we’re living close to God.

Listening and obeying.

Thank you, Abba Father.