Tag: Bible

Faltering Faith

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

Do I really believe that God can do anything?

Really?

Anything?

I might say that because it’s in the Bible so I know its true.

Yes, I know it’s true.

But do my actions show that I really believe it?

God is teaching us in the historical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt that he really can do anything.Jan 23 2016 faltering faith c

It’s the same lesson he had to teach Moses thousands of years ago.  Because Moses’ faith and trust in God needed to grow if he was to become the great leader God knew he could be.  The great leader his people needed him to be.

As we read the account, we get clear glimpses of Moses’ lack of faith.  In Exodus 6, Moses starts bring up excuses for not doing what God wants him to do because of his ‘faltering lips”.

It wasn’t his lips that were faltering – it was his faith.

At this point, he didn’t really believe God could use him to free the Israelites.Jan 23 2016 faltering in faith

And that lack of faith shows.  It shows up in his words.  It shows up in his actions.

God had told Moses that he was going to use Pharoah’s hardened heart, his stubbornness, his pride.  God was going to strike the Egyptians with wonders so Pharoah would know Who is was dealing with.  God even told Moses that he was going to kill Pharoah’s first-born son.Jan 23 2016 faltering faith b

God laid it all out for Moses but Moses just didn’t have enough faith at this time to believe and act on that belief.

Not yet.

One of the great lessons we can learn from the Exodus story is that our faith can grow just like Moses’ did.

Yes, his faltering faith was pretty evident in the beginning.

But that changed.

Moses let his interactions with God transform him.  The better he knew God, the more his faith grew.

Later, whenever the people of Israel were afraid, Moses was the one reassuring them – loudly proclaiming a rock solid faith that God would deliver them.  Moses’ old faltering faith had been replaced with a close relationship with God which made Moses one of our famous patriarchs of faith.

So – – do we really believe that nothing is impossible with God?

And, if we believe this, how does it show up in our actions?  Our decisions?  Our choices?

How solid is our faith?

We love you, Abba Father.

 

 

 

What is in Your Hand?

On By Judy GlasserIn January1 Comment

What do we already have?

How can we use it for God’s purposes?Jan 22 2016 what is in your hand

We may think we’re not smart enough or rich enough or talented enough for God to use us.

Moses thought he didn’t speak well enough to go back to Egypt and talk to Pharoah for God.  He was also afraid that the Israelites wouldn’t believe that God had sent him.

Moses was afraid because he was focused on himself.

God, Creator of the Universe, has no limitations.

He used what Moses already had in his hand – a staff.

Today, God asks us to do the same thing – to use what he has already given us.

And to trust that he’ll show up.  He will accomplish his purpose through us.  Through our faith in him.  When we’re focused on God and not our own limitations.

What do we already have in our hands that we can use for God’s purposes?

Please open our eyes, Abba Father.

Bad Intentions

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

Other people with bad intentions often cause us harm.

It happens to all of us.Jan 21 2015 bad intentions.

But wait!

God has promised us that he has plans for a great future for us.

He is omnipotent.

Everything that touches our lives has gone through his hands.

He can stop anything.  But sometimes he doesn’t.

Is it possible that, like with Joseph, God can use the bad things that happen in our lives to accomplish good?

Do we believe that?

Do we trust him enough to face every bad situation in our lives with the certainty that God will use it for good?

Can we wait patiently for the good outcome?

Can we walk through the dark times with our eyes focused on the Light?

Joseph’s brothers intended to kill Joseph.

And God transformed that situation by making Joseph a blessing to all of Egypt.

What people intended for bad, God used for good to accomplish what he wanted.

I believe God can and already has done this in the dark times of my life.

What do you believe?

Please help us trust you, Abba Father.

The Years of My Pilgrimage

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

We are all on a pilgrimage.

A journey.Jan 20 2016 years of my pilgrimage

We are making our way from our birthplace to our heavenly home.

We are called to devote every day here on earth to completing our God-given purpose.

We are called to grow deeper each week in our relationship with God.

We are called to let God change us to be more and more like Christ every year.ftdDSC_0527

Almost 2 years ago, I had the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to Israel.

It was a very different, and yet familiar, place.

I had heard and read so much about what had happened in Jerusalem that I experienced an odd sense of deja vu as we pushed through its crowded streets.

Tears rolled off my face as we made our way down the Via Delarosa – the Way of Suffering – where my Savior dragged my cross that day so long ago.  In my mind, I could hear the shouting and the curses of thousands of years ago bouncing off the stone walls on either side of me.ftdDSC_0523

And, then……..

the overwhelming peace and stillness of the garden.

It was done.

The price was paid.

And Jesus was no longer there.  He had risen, just as he said!

Amen!  Hallelujah!ftdDSC_0564

The years of our pilgrimage here on earth are not easy…..

but we know where this journey ends.

At home.

Full of joy.

Surrounded by peace.

With our Father.

Thank you, Abba.

Sword Fighting Class – Humble Wisdom

On By Judy GlasserIn Sword Fighting Class1 Comment

We are finishing memorizing Proverbs 3 today!  What an accomplishment!  I don’t have a good memory so this an awesome testament to the activity of God in my life.  And he uses the verses I’ve memorized constantly as he talks with me and guides me.

“My child, do not forget my teachings but keep my commands in your heart for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you.  Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor and a good name in the site of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all of your crops.  Then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine.Proverbs 2 -13-3-11

Do not detest the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke for the Lord disciplines those as he loves.  As a father, the daughter he delights in.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, who gains understanding.  For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies.  Nothing you desire compares with her.

Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are pleasant ways and all of her paths are peace.  She is the tree of life to those who embrace her.  Those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

By wisdom, the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.  By understanding, he set the heavens in place.  And by his knowledge, the deeps are divided and the clouds let drop their dew.Proverbs 3 to verse 25

My child, preserve sound judgement and discernment.  Do not let them out of your sight.  They will be life to you, an ornament to grace your neck.  Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid.  When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  Have no fear of the sudden disaster or ruin that overtakes the wicked for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later, I will have it tomorrow” when you now have it with you.

Do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully next to you.

Do not accuse a man for no reason when he has done you no harm.

Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways for the Lord detests a perverse man but keeps the upright in his confidence.

Thank you, God!  Here are our last couple of verses of Proverbs 3.  We have memorized the whole thing!

The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked but he blesses the home of the righteous.  He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.  The wise inherit honor but fools he holds up to shame.

We are done with this chapter!  If you have been memorizing this with me, then I’m sure you share my amazement at what God can do when we do our part.

These last couple of verses repeat the reoccurring theme of Proverbs 2 and 3.  If we want to be blessed by God, we need to be in a right relationship with him.  Our lives need to be defined by humble wisdom.  God is very clear about this.

Please help us obey, dear Father.

Make It Count

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

We are never alone.

God is with us.Jan 18 2016 Make it count

Just like he was with Joseph thousands of years ago.

God was in the  dark pit with Joseph where Joseph’s brothers left him to die.

He was in Potiphar’s house as Joseph ran away from the advances of Potiphar’s wife.

He was in jail where he helped Joseph interpret dreams that eventually freed him.

God helped Joseph as he ruled Egypt, second only to Pharoah.

As we read the historical account of Joseph, we see him walking with God, year after year.  We watch him become more mature, become more wise.

The Joseph who devised a plan which saved his family and all of Egypt from starving was not the same Joseph who irrationally told his older brothers they would bow down to him someday.

Joseph had walked with God and he had grown up.  Joseph had let God change him into a wise, strong, faithful and forgiving man.

As a result, Joseph conquered significant adversity in his life and he had a huge positive influence on a multitude of people around him.

Joseph made the fact that God was with him count for something.  He let God transform him into a man who would save the lives of a whole nation.

God wants to do this same thing in our lives.  He wants to mold us into the people he created us to be.

Wise.

Patient

Forgiving.

Christ-like.

Please open our eyes and hearts to your transforming power, Abba Father.

Treachery and Deceit

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

Lies.

Conspiracies.Jan 14 2015 treachery and deceit.

Spite.

Threats.

As we read the historical account of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Genesis, we have a clear view of man’s sin and weaknesses.  Over and over, this family lies to each other and  steals from each other.  Even members of the extended family are liars and cheaters.

We also see how patient and merciful God is.  He blessed Abraham’s family even while they were cheating and lying to each other.Jan 14 2016 b treachery and deciet

One notable exception to God’s mercy in this story are Sodom and Gomorrah.  Words must not do justice to how evil these cities were to warrant God sending down fire and brimstone upon them.  They obviously just needed to be gone so God took take of it.

But God showed mercy to Abraham’s family in spite of their legacy of treachery and deceit.

This is good news for us.

Because we mess up.  We sin.

And God sent his son, Jesus, to pay the price that needed to be paid for all of our sin for all time.

We live each day in God’s mercy.

We live each day in God’s love.  In his blessing.

Not because we have every done anything to deserve it.  We will never deserve it.

Salvation is a free gift to anyone who will believe.

And it’s the very best gift our loving Father could ever give us.

Thank you, Abba.

 

We Don’t Want to Wait

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

We want something to happen.

We pray about it but nothing happens. Jan 6 2016 we don't wait

We can’t wait to see how God takes care of our concern.

So we intervene.

We step in to ‘help’ God.

Or we may even talk ourselves into thinking that God wants us to step up even though that’s not what he’s telling us when we’re reading his word.  And it’s not being verified by circumstances around us and we’re not hearing that counsel from other wise, Godly people in our lives.

But we just don’t want to wait.

So we jump in and mess everything up.

Admit it. We’ve all done it.

We prayed and God was working out something that was going to be great.

But we just couldn’t wait.  Couldn’t trust.

This is Sarah’s story in Genesis 16.

Yes, she had been waiting for many, many years to see God’s promise of a child come true for her.

A long time.

It just wasn’t happening.

So Sarah came up with her own plan.  She just couldn’t wait.  It was obvious that God needed her help. (not)

And the consequences of her plan have caused conflict in the Middle East for thousands of years.

Do you think she should have waited?

She eventually got her son, Isaac.  God blessed her according to HIS plan.

According to HIS timing.

Isn’t that what we really want?

We want what God wants for us.  At the perfect time he picks for us.

So sometimes we have to wait a long time.

But it’s worth it.

We trust you, Abba Father.

He Always Keeps His Promises

On By Judy GlasserIn JanuaryLeave a comment

We don’t.

We forget.

We change our minds.

It gets too hard.Jan 6 2016 he always keeps his promises

Circumstances change and now we don’t want to do what we promised.

None of these describe God.

Ever.

He always keeps his promises.

Forever.

We read in Genesis 15 about God making a covenant with Abraham (Abram) that he would make him the father of a great nation.  Abraham asks for a sign so Abraham and God go through a ‘seal the deal’ ceremony.

Normally in this ceremony, all of the people making the agreement would walk through a line of carcasses of animals which had been cut in two.  This symbolized a committment of all they owned if they didn’t keep this promise.

So Abraham set up the animals but only God, in the form of a blazing torch, passed through them.

This was a one-sided covenant because God knew Abraham would sin and fail.  It was going to happen.

But God would never fail.

God would make it happen.  And he did make it happen.

Because he always keeps his promises.

Re-reading these historical records of God’s faithfulness brings me peace and security.  God hasn’t changed.

The entire Bible is proof of God’s faithfulness to us. His love for us.  His plan for reconciliation with us.

Its HIStory.

It’s all about you, Abba Father.

Sword Fighting Class – It Applies To Us

On By Judy GlasserIn Sword Fighting ClassLeave a comment

We’re at the end of Proverbs 3!  Its very clear how much God is helping us as we memorize this chapter.  It wouldn’t be happening without him.

“My child, do not forget my teachings but keep my commands in your heart for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you.  Wear them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  Then you will win favor in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.  Do  not be wise in your own eyes.  Fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.  Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruit of all your crops.  Then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine.  My child, do not detest the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke for the Lord disciplines those he loves.  As a father, the daughter he delights in.

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, who gains understanding.  For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies.  Nothing you desire compares with her.  Long life is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways and all of her paths are peace.  She is the tree of life to those who embrace her.  Those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

By wisdom, the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.  By understanding, he set the heavens in place.  And by his knowledge, the deeps are divided and the clouds let drop their dew.

My child, preserve sound judgement and discernment, do not let them out of your sight.  They will be life to you, an ornament to grace your neck.  Then you will go on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble.  When you lie down, you will not be afraid.  When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.  Have no fear of the sudden disaster or ruin that overtakes the wicked for the Lord is your confidence and he will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to act.

Do not say to your neighbor, ‘ Come back later, I will have it tomorrow’, when you now have it with you.

Thank you, God!  Here are a couple more ‘do nots’:

“Do not plot harm against your neighbor who lives trustfully near you.

Do not accuse a man for no reason when he has done you no wrong.

Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.”

We would probably say that all of these are pretty obvious.  We shouldn’t do them.  And we might think we don’t do them.

But do we ever think someone is saying something bad about us and then we find out later that they never said that?  Do we ever get upset by something we think someone else is doing to us and then we find out later they never did it?  Are we accusing people who never did us any harm?

And do we ever envy rich people who seem to have it all…..even though we know that some of those rich people got their wealth in unscrupulous ways?

We learned in Proverbs 2 that perverse really means stubborn, unhelpful or uncooperative.  Do any of these words describe us in some situations?

Oh, yeah.  God is talking straight at us in these verses.

Are we listening?

Please open our ears, Abba Father.