Jehovah Mekadesh

I did it! I finished! And, so did almost 200 women here in San Antonio! I'm so proud of us. 

What did we finish you ask? Well I, along with approximately 200 of my closest friends, have completed a 13 week study on the names of God. That's right. We completed our study and we are celebrating. We are gathering this week to have a Mississippi pot luck celebration (That means lots of great food and fellowship.) We will share stories of what we have experienced during this study. We will laugh about some of the things God has taught us, and we will cry about others. One of the parts that thrills me most is that some of the women I'm celebrating with are celebrating the completion of their FIRST Bible study. I. Could. Just. Cry. With. Joy. Those women inspire me and make me smile.

What about you? Have you spent some time in a Bible study recently? Are you allowing Jehovah Mekadesh access to your life? Jehovah Mekadesh is one of the names of God which means, "The Lord who sanctifies you". Sanctification is also known as "growing in Christ" or "spiritually maturing". God doesn't just want us to believe in Him. He wants us to live an abundant life here on earth and that comes through sanctification. We will miss out on that abundant life if we miss out on sanctification.

I'm celebrating this week, but I'm also planning. I'm planning my next Bible study. I'm going to study Faith, Hope and Love this summer. What are you going to study?

Lord, Thank you for Your Word. Thank you that you not only sent Your Son to die for me, but You also gave me the Bible to learn how to be a better person and live an abundant life. You are a good, good Father. In the precious name of Jesus ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study read and journal/discuss what God teaches you in the following verses:

• Leviticus 20:7-8
• Isaiah 6: 1-8
• Matthew 23: 25-28
• Hebrews 12:14
• 2 Timothy 2: 20-21
• Hebrews 12: 1-2

Run Towards Your Giant!

If God is for us, who can be against us? Truly, if God, the Creator of the World, has your back, then what is there to worry about? Yet we worry. We spend our days worried about what we will say in conversations. We worry about if we will get the next super bug that hits earth. We worry about little things, right alongside of big things.

God directed me to 1 Samuel 17 today. I've sure you've read the story of David and Goliath. If you haven't, I double dog dare you to pull out your Bible and read it. David was a young man, actually a "boy" in the story. The Israelite soldiers did not want to take on Goliath, the Philistine giant. But David didn't mind. He asked to take on the Giant and did so without the armor that soldiers normally wear. He marched out towards Goliath and warned him.

David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17: 45-47)

David was right. He did defeat Goliath. But you know what catches my eye the most in this story, is that David RAN towards Goliath. 

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.

 (1 Samuel 17:48)

He ran at the giant. He didn't hide behind armor or a rock or anything. He ran at the giant and killed Him. He was confident God was on his side. 

What giant are you facing today that's got you worrying? Is there something that you need to remind Who's child you are? Maybe instead of running away from your giant, maybe you need to run towards your giant like David did.

I'm also reminded of these verses:

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 31-39)

Lord, thank You for having our backs. Your banner over us is love and I'm thankful for Your protection and the victory You won for us on the Cross. I love You. In Jesus Name - Amen!

For a deeper study read and discuss/journal the following:

• Exodus 17:14-16
• 1 Samuel 17

The Lord Who Heals

I was asked this week what it's really like to be a Women's Pastor. As I thought about my response tears filled my eyes. What an incredible honor it is for me, an imperfect woman, to serve Him. Some days I feel like I've got a back stage pass to see God working. It's incredible to watch God work in the lives of others. I don't doubt for one minute that He is still in the miracle business. I see His thumbprints on things all the time. He is indeed Jehovah Rapha, The God Who Heals.

I've seen marriages healed because of God; marriages that were facing divorce that are now better than they ever have been. To God be the glory!!

I've seen women overcome defeated lives through The Healer; lives that were once in jail, but now are walking in complete freedom - freedom in Christ and freedom from jail! Oh, Lord You amaze me!

I've prayed for babies and sick children thinking it was their time to go to heaven, but Jehovah Rapha had other plans. Praise to the Ultimate Physician!

I've seen family relationships that were broken become restored because God healed the hearts of those that were hurting. Lord, You are worthy of praise!

Are you in need of some sort of healing today? Maybe it's physical healing you seek. Maybe the healing you are after is healing of a broken heart. Or, maybe the healing you seek is with a relationship. He is able. He loves you! He is in the miracle business. Turn to Jehovah Rapha and ask for healing!

Lord, thank you for allowing me to have a back stage pass to watch You work. I'm constantly amazed at what You do in my life and in the lives of others. Oh, that our nation would turn to you and seek healing from The Healer. Help me never forgot what I have seen and experienced as I've walked with you on this great adventure. I give you all the glory and honor and praise! In the precious Name of Jesus ~ AMEN!

For a deeper study ready and discuss or journal about the following verses:

• Exodus 15:22-27
• Psalm 147:3
• Jeremiah 3:21-22
• Isaiah 26:3
• 2 Chronicles 7:14
• Psalm 41:3

Our Provider

I have had Bible studies in my home where I've also provided meals for the people attending. Many times I did not think we would have enough food, and yet there were leftovers at the end of the night.

There have been days in my life when I just knew I would not have enough money to pay the bills, and yet somehow I was able manage to stay out of the collections departments.

There have been many days where I've been ministering to someone hurting where I didn't have the words to say, and yet by God's grace I said just what was needed to bring comfort.

Most weeks I feel as if there is not enough time in the day to get what I need to get accomplished for my family, and yet somehow it all falls in place.

God is an amazing provider. He is indeed Jehovah Jireh, Provider. I believe all of the above circumstances above are examples of how He has provided in my life. He can multiple food right in front of our eyes without us ever seeing it. He can stretch our finances to cover all of our bills. He can even provide the words we speak when we are leaning into Him for His help.

I bet there are times when you can look back at your life and say without a doubt you made it through a financial crisis or a difficult situation because the Lord provided. And if we know how well He does provide, then why to we worry about the future or situations in the present? Hind sight is 20/20, and I think some days we need to just remember where we've come from and what we've walked through.

What if today instead of worrying about your needs you decided to just start thanking God for the provisions He has coming for you?

What if today instead of doubting you will be able to take the next step, that you starting looking for how God was providing?

Lord, thank you for your awesome provisions. You are an amazing provider in all ways and in all areas of our lives. Forgive us when we have missed giving You credit for what You have provided in our lives. You are loved and adored. You are a good, good Father. In Jesus' Name ~ AMEN.

For a deeper study read the following and journal what God teaches you about how He provides:

• Luke 5: 1-11
• Genesis 22: 1-19