God's Promises Archives – Brewing Ground

A Change In Course!

March 13, 2017

Life Happens!

Our plans don’t always work out the way we think they should. In fact, life doesn’t always work out the way we plan either. Despite the plans and preparations we make, something happens along the way to change our course. These plans could be anything – from the route we take to get to work, to something much larger that changes the course of our lives. This change in course could be caused by any number of different factors and maybe even a combination of factors. The change can also be either a good one, a challenging one, or maybe both. Regardless of the situation and the cause, the course has been changed. Now what? Let’s see what David did.

David’s Change In Course

So, David is now king. He gets word that people are coming to kill him. Well, this changes his plans and the course of his day in an instant. He quickly makes new plans, gathers men, and flees on a new course to hide in the wilderness far away. While hiding, he wrote a prayer that God made Psalm 61 in the Bible.

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. ²From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ³For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. ⁴I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. ⁵For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name. ⁶Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations. ⁷He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him. ⁸So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.” Psalm 61 KJV

There are some things we can learn from this prayer. While hiding, David knew that God was still with him even though he was far away. David was also clear that he could trust in God and His protection – he knew that God was in control! With this prayer, and throughout the Bible, we see that David continually thanked God during the good and difficult times in his life.

Now What?

Let’s face it, life happens! Your plans will not always work out how you want. You will get thrown an unexpected change in course. Maybe it’s just a detour in the road or it may be big and life altering. Just pray! Know that God is with you and you are under His protection. This change in course did not surprise Him. He is in control! Trust Him and allow Him to lay out your new course for you.

“As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2 KJV

“The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.” Psalm 34:22 KJV

If you feel lost, God will meet you in the wilderness of your Brewing Ground and show you His path.

Let’s Brew in Trust!

Please share if this has blessed you!

Renew Your Dry Bones!

February 27, 2017

Sometimes life can be so depleting. Have you ever felt that way? This can happen in a couple of different ways. First, life sometimes throws so much your way AND all at once. So much so, that you feel it requires more than what you have mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically to deal with it all. Second, life sometimes has you in a particular battle that seems as if it will never end. You feel as if you can’t replenish your mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical resources quickly enough; you are using them up faster than you can replenish them. Either way, you feel depleted, used up, reduced to nothing but a pile of dry bones. Well, there is hope! God can restore any pile of dry bones.

A Valley Of Dry Bones

So, it began around 597 B.C. Babylon attacks Judah. The Babylonians captured and exiled about 10,000 Jews. Ezekiel happened to be one of the Jews that was captured. While exiled, God called Ezekiel to be a prophet and preach to all the captured Jews. God used visions to speak to Ezekiel and give him the messages to preach to the Jews. Some of these messages focused on why the Jews were captured; it was God’s punishment for their sins. God was using this as a “wake up” call for Judah to help them turn from their sin and return to God. Ezekiel walked the streets of Babylon for 22 years as a prophet preaching and trying to convince the people to repent and return to God.

God brought me to a particular vision that Ezekiel had during his time as a prophet. Ezekiel 37 tells of a vision that begins with Ezekiel in the midst of a valley where he was surrounded by dry bones.

“⁴Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: ⁶And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:4-6 KJV

These dry bones represented the Jewish exiles and the state of their spiritually dead condition. Fast forward to the end. The vision continues with the people being restored and the two kingdoms being reunited. This is not a one of the Bible stories that is typically talked about often. But, God had a message for me.

A New Word

God whispered a couple of messages to my heart with the dry bones vision. First, He will do whatever it takes in order to get you to repent of your sin and restore your relationship with Him. Even if it means you are taken captive and are a prisoner of war for years like the Jewish people were.

Second, life is hard and can be filled with so many different challenges. Sometimes we get taken over by these challenges and that’s when we can become depleted. When depleted it is easy to miss the bigger picture and what God is doing, like the Jews did. When depleted mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically we sometimes feel all used up like a pile of dry bones. Now, some would say that once you are a pile of dry bones – well, there is no coming back from that. Luckily, we serve a powerful God. He can restore and bring life back to an army of dry bones. Thank You Jesus! There is hope!

Next Question

The next question is: How do we keep from becoming a pile of dry bones in the first place? Well, is it even possible? Anything is possible with God! God never meant for us to carry the weight of all of life’s challenges on our own. Give them to Him, let Him guide you, and be restored!

“¹¹And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:11 KJV

So, can you envision this verse for yourself? God will guide you and satisfy your soul in it’s time of drought. He will make you like a spring of water whose waters never fail. Since your spring will not run dry, you will be like a watered garden full of new life and growth. Claim God’s promises for your life! Let God help carry your load and renew your dry bones.

Let’s Brew and be Renewed!

Please share if you were blessed!

Will You Know?

February 6, 2017

Well, I Don’t Know

Grab some coffee or tea with me and let’s brew over God’s message. I was praying and talking with God about what He wanted me to write about this week. All of a sudden He brought a random verse to my mind. Actually it was a verse “address” – John 1:10. This also happened to be a verse I did not know. HMMM! I was intrigued. So, I pulled out my Bible and looked it up; this is what I found.

“¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.” John 1:10 KJV

Well, I needed more information. I didn’t know yet what

God was trying to teach me and what He wanted me to share with you sweet friends. So, I went back to the beginning of the chapter to read the verse again in context. When I did this, God showed me that verses 10 AND 11 were the key verses for what He was trying to teach me.

“¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:10-11 KJV

Let’s Set The Stage

John is the author of the book of John in the Bible. In Chapter 1 he begins by setting the stage for Jesus. John is making it clear to everyone that Jesus is not just a man; He is actually the son of God. He was here from the beginning when God created everything. Jesus has been here from before the beginning of creation. Eventually, Jesus came to earth as a man. You all know the story. While here, He taught, saved, healed, performed miracles, and eventually died to save us all.

Now, God had a special job for John. His job was to spread the word about Jesus and His light. He was to prepare the way for Jesus and plant “seeds” in people’s minds and hearts in preparation for Him; the eternal light that can save us all.

“⁶There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. ⁸He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. ⁹That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:6-9 KJV

Now that we have set the stage, let’s get back to the message that God whispered to my heart. Let’s reread the key verses.

“¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.¹¹He came unto his own, and his own received him not.” John 1:10-11 KJV

Verse 10 makes it clear that Jesus was literally on earth; the earth that He created. Even though He created earth and everything on it, including the people, they did not know Him. Verse 11 continues by stating that even His people, the ones chosen by God to tell of the coming Messiah, also did not recognize Jesus and receive Him. Wow, His own people didn’t know Him. This is where God began to whisper.

Will You Know

In this day and age we “see” Jesus differently. We do not have the privilege of being able to have Him physically stand in front of us, in human form, to be able to see, touch, and talk to Him. However, we do get to see Him working in our lives. In essence, our Brewing Ground is our own individual world that God has created for each one of us. This is our life and everything that is in it. Our Brewing Ground is where we KNOW Him. We get to meet and see Him here – in the midst of the everyday, the good, the bad, and the ugly. This is where we talk with Jesus, learn, plan, prepare, attack, change, go through the fire, get refined, and emerge victorious. This is where we see and meet Jesus in our life – our Brewing Ground.

So, on your Brewing Ground will you know when you see Jesus? Are you alert and ready? Do you see Jesus in everything? Can you see His hand guiding you? Most importantly, do you KNOW that He is using EVERYTHING, even the bad, for your good? Will you see Him in the small things and know it’s Him? Can you meet Him when you have no words and know that the Holy Spirit will intercede for you? Will you know Jesus when you see Him working in your life; will you accept and receive Him? John went on in verse 14 to talk a little about what it was like to be in Jesus’ presence.

“¹⁴And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 KJV

So, when we meet Jesus on our Brewing Ground, in the midst of daily life, we get to behold His glory full of love, grace and truth. I am so thankful! Are you alert? Will you know when you meet Jesus throughout your day or will you miss it? So, let go and let Him work in your life. Be alert and don’t miss Him so you can shine His light? Thank You Jesus!

Let’s Brew in the midst of Jesus and know it!

The Things We Do!

January 16, 2017

The Cake

I spent the weekend celebrating my sweet girls’ birthdays. They each have their birthday this week; in fact, their birthdays are just 2 days apart. We had a joint party for them over the weekend. A tradition seemed to form with my first child on her first birthday. The tradition is as follows: I always bake a cake or cupcakes from scratch which I decorate to match the theme of the party. This year we had a science party. I created goody bags which had supplies for birthday themed science experiments for all the children to take home. For this party I also created a molecule cake which included a molecular core

(Sixlets) that spilled out when the cake was cut. This was a 2 tier cake, each tier having 3 layers. The bottom layer was 12 inches and the top layer was 9 inches. I fashioned molecules for the cake topper out of fun straws and large gum balls. A cake this size required me to create a 16 inch cake board to carry it on. Oh, the things we do for our children.

Reality

Now, let’s have a reality check. First off, none of these were completely original ideas of my own. I “beg, borrow, and steal” other people’s great ideas and morph them into my own to fit our needs. Secondly, this was no easy feat. I am not going to lie. It took me hours upon hours to create this cake. However, I willingly spent the time to create something great for my sweet girls. I do this because they love it and it means a lot to them and they mean the world to me. If you have been blessed with children you can probably think of a time when you went above and beyond for them. Maybe it was something very small. Or, maybe it was something huge. Oh, the things we do for our children. As I was standing in my small kitchen working through the night, while everyone else was asleep, I began thinking of all the things God has done for me as His child.

Oh, The Things

Think of all the things that God has done for us; the things He cares enough to do. We are His children; God loves us dearly. Oh, the things that God does for us. Some are so small while some are so big. I’m sure there are lots of things God does for us that we don’t even know about. Some of these things may seem bad at the time; but, they play a great part in God’s plan. And of course, we can not forget the greatest thing He ever did for us.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

And there it is. God gave His only son in order to save His other children – us.

So, this week be mindful of the things God does for you. Take time to thank God for all that He has done. Think about things that are happening in your life through this lens. Oh, the things that God does for us.

Lets Brew with Grateful Hearts!

Where Do You Find Your Comfort? Holy Spirit Series – Part 1

November 14, 2016

The Trip

^“18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18 KJV

I will never forget a weekend trip my family took. We stayed at a very nice hotel. This particular hotel had a great atmosphere; it was such a neat place. Then, (Dun, Dun, Duuun) it was time for bed. The beds were so hard we might as well have been sleeping on a concrete floor. There was no comfort to be found! Needless to say, we did not sleep; my entire body hurt. We were miserable all night. Furthermore, don’t you know this set the tone for us all to have a great day the next day – exhausted and hurting! Fantastic!! You might think if you are staying at an expensive hotel they could afford comfortable beds – right? Well, not this one!

Then, the following day came our dreaded second night! In fact, we actually

considered switching rooms or hotels or even leaving that night. But (sigh), we stayed. Of course, another terrible night. So, no matter how great the facility is, you better believe we will never stay there again!! As a result, it makes you wonder how this hotel is able to stay in business. I don’t see how they would have any return business! So, you can imagine our relief to return home to our own beds.

Returning Home

There is just nothing like curling up in your own bed! The comfort and relief your own bed provides is unrivaled. When you are exhausted after a long, hard, busy day – this is where you want to be. When you are physically sick or injured – this is where you want to be. This is where you go to find rest, healing, and restoration. Also, when you are emotionally injured – this is where you want to be. You don’t want to be in just any bed; you want to be in YOUR bed! No other bed can compare. For instance, other beds do not provide the same comfort, rest, and healing as your own. They just don’t!

The Bible Says

^“15If ye love me, keep my commandments. ¹⁶And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. ¹⁸I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:15-18 KJV

God will give us a Comforter that will live with us forever; He will not leave us comfortless. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. When I began researching this verse, I found that two different words are used in the Bible for the word comforter. First, is a Hebrew word which means to actually comfort or console. It is used as a verb, the act of comforting. However, this is not the one used here in this verse. The word for comforter used in this verse is Greek and means counselor, helper, one who encourages and comforts. This word uses comforter as a noun; the Holy Spirit IS a comforter. So, as I continued my research, I found something interesting.

Jesus Teaches

There are only four times in the Bible where comforter, from the Greek word meaning one who encourages and comforts, is used. Every instance was in the book of John. In fact, every instance also happened to be the words of Jesus. Each time, comforter was actually part of a conversation that Jesus was having with His disciples when He was teaching and preparing them for what was to come after His death, resurrection, and ascension. So, lets look at the other 3 verses.

^“26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, … ²⁷Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:26-27 KJV

^“26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26 KJV

^“⁷Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7 KJV

Wrapped In Comfort

In all four verses Jesus is telling His disciples that the Holy Spirit is the comforter (one who encourages and comforts). John 14:15-18 refers to the fact that only those individuals that know Jesus and have asked Him into their heart will receive the Holy Spirit which will live inside them – comforting them. Now, this is what God whispered to my heart and how I wove all this together.

The moment you ask Jesus into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. This is your comforter; He is your heart’s “bed” with all your favorite blankets and pillows. Once this happens, God and the Holy Spirit immediately wrap you and your heart in love, help, and comfort. This is where your heart gets rest, healing, and restoration. This is one of the many jobs of the Holy Spirit; to comfort and minister to your heart when life is tough, while you are Brewing. So, when your heart needs to curl up in your very own bed, cover yourself with God’s promises! If you know Jesus, the comforter is there with you and will live in you forever. You are wrapped in promises and love; you will not be left comfortless. Thank You Jesus!

Please join me over the next few weeks as we embark on a series which explores more about the different job’s of the Holy Spirit and what it means for you.

Let’s Brew Wrapped in Comfort and Love!

What did God whisper to your heart about the comforter? Comment below!!

This Fall, Will You Fall Into The Arms Of God?

November 7, 2016

“3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV

Fall! What a wonderful time of year. There are so many things to love about fall. One, the weather begins to turn cooler; this is a nice reprieve from the hot summers in West Texas. Secondly, leaves! Lots of leaves (well, not really here in West Texas)! The trees (at least the ones we have) are so beautiful as the colors of the leaves begin to change. Eventually, there are leaves everywhere. I like to think of them as some of nature’s sprinkles; they sprinkle our landscape with beautiful fall colors! Third, it’s harvest time. Don’t you love the bounty of crops that fall brings. Apples, pears, pumpkins, different types of squash, figs, greens, broccoli, sweet potatoes, corn, and the list continues. When we think of fall, we think of “the harvest”. In actuality, each season has its own particular bountiful crops. Produce that is harvested in season is fresh and at its peak. Its taste, texture, and nutritional value are so much better; produce benefits from being harvested in its prime season. This is when it’s at its very best.

Each type of fruit or vegetable plant has a specific

way it should be cared for during the various seasons leading up to its harvest. If care is not taken while the plant is growing, there will be no harvest. Some plants are lower maintenance and easier to grow than others. Let’s take summer squash and zucchini for example. You plant these in the spring. In the right climate, they begin producing in the summer and can continue to produce fruit into the beginning of fall. (Yes, these are technically fruit because they contain the plant’s seeds – I looked it up to verify.) These plants are easy; you plant in one season and by the next season you begin to have food to eat and they keep producing throughout the season. Now, let’s think about apples. Once you plant an apple tree it has to grow for a few years before it is mature enough to produce any fruit. This type of plant is not as easy and requires more of a commitment and much more patience. Regardless of what you are trying to grow, you must care for it. Even if you choose easy plants, if they are not cared for properly they will not make it. You must choose the right location, prepare the ground, water them, and watch for weeds and pests. If these things are not done – well, the plants will die and there will be no harvest. There are a few things we can be sure of and learn from the seasons. Each season has a purpose and produces its own bounty. Work is required in order for there to be a harvest. Produce is at it’s best when it’s harvested in its prime season.

“3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: ²A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ³A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; ⁷A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV

God made it clear in Ecclesiastes that we also have seasons in our lives. Seasons of good and bad. He also makes it clear there is a specific time and season for everything. Trust his perfect timing for this. This is our Brewing Ground. God uses the seasons of our Brewing Ground to grow us. He nurtures and cares for us. God uses each season to produce a particular bounty in our life at just the perfect time. But each season requires work and some seasons also come with many challenges. What season does God currently have you in? Are you in fall, in the midst of a bountiful harvest? Do you happen to be in winter? Are you on thin ice or does it feel as if everything is frozen and barren? Are you in a spring season; a time of renewal, new growth, and starting fresh? Or perhaps you are in summer; in the midst of scorching heat combined with a drought that seems like it will never end. Some seasons get you to your bounty more quickly. However, some seasons are like the apple tree. It takes lots of time to grow and mature before it is ever ready to produce any fruit. Regardless of your current season, know that it has a purpose and it will produce its own bounty. While navigating the seasons of your Brewing Ground, hold onto God’s promises.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 KJV

Keep going! There is an end to your season and you will reap a harvest! Rest in God and allow Him to renew you throughout your season.

^“5They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5 KJV

If your season is painful or challenging and has you in tears – be of good cheer! There is a harvest coming and you WILL reap your bounty in JOY!

So, this fall I challenge you, and myself, to change perspectives. Will you join me in trusting God and fall into His arms. Let’s allow Him to hold us and carry us through our Brewing Ground and its current season. Let’s fall into His arms of grace, forgiveness, love, hope, help, comfort, joy, peace, and promises. Let’s trust God and know that He will use our season for His good. Let’s be thankful for our Brewing Ground, it’s season, and the harvest that is to come.

What season are you in? Will you join me this fall and fall into the arms of God? Comment below!

Let’s Brew in God’s Arms!

When God Sends Help Will You Miss The Boat?

October 31, 2016

^“13For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV

There was a torrential storm that hit a town. The authorities warned that the nearby river was going to soon flood the city and advised everyone to evacuate. One of the citizens of this town was a very faithful Christian man. He heard this warning and decided to stay thinking, “I will trust God and if I am really in danger, He will send a divine miracle to save me.” As his neighbors were getting ready to leave they said, “Come with us; we have room in our car.” The man declined and said, “I have faith that God will save me.” So they left.

As the man sat on his porch, he watched the water rise. Soon, someone came by in a canoe. This man said, “The water is rising quickly! Come with me to safety.” The man declined once again and said, “No, I have faith that God will save me.” So the man in the canoe left.

As the water continued to rise and flood his house the man had to move upstairs. A police boat came by and they saw him sitting at a window. They said, “We are coming to save you!” The man replied,

“Use your time to go save someone else; I have faith that God will save me.” The police pleaded with the man to come with them; he refused. So, the police boat left.

The water still continued to rise quickly and the man had to retreat to the roof of his house. A rescue helicopter spotted him. A rescuer came down on a rope ladder and pleaded with the man to come with him. But, the man still refused, “No, God will save me!” After pleading some more, the man still refused. The helicopter finally left.

Soon the strong flood waters rose too high and swept the man away and he drowned. Once in heaven, the man stood before God and asked, “I trusted you and put all my faith in you. Why didn’t you save me?” God responded, “Yes my child, you did. And I gave you a warning. I sent a car and then a canoe. Next, I sent a boat and then a helicopter. But, you never would get in. What more did you want?” (Source: Unknown)

You have probably heard this story before. There are many different versions and the original author is unknown. I heard this story many years ago; however the message is timeless.

I have known for a while what I wanted to write about this week. As I was praying and getting ready to actually sit down and write the post I had planned, it didn’t seem quite right for this week. As I was praying and talking with God about what He did want me to write, He brought this story to my mind. I haven’t thought of this story in years. So, what was His message for me; why did He bring this story to my mind? As I was thinking over the story, He also brought several recent major events and situations to my mind which all happen to be completely unrelated. The one overarching theme that I DID find – they are all major life changing Moments of Brewing in the lives of several dear friends and myself. Moments where we need God’s help or drowning WILL occur. God led me to this verse.

^“13For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13 KJV

It all started coming together. God was whispering His message to my heart. One I needed to hear. One He asked me to share with you, sweet friends.

First and foremost, God is with you! He is right there holding your hand. He WILL help you! That is a promise stated in Isaiah 41:13. Believe it! Claim it! Know in your heart God is there – even if He is silent! He is working on your behalf. He is gathering equipment and supplies. He is devising a rescue mission and assembling your team. Your rescue mission is very specific to you and your situation. Certain situations require very detailed, intricate plans. God is so GREAT with details; He will not miss a single one! Sometimes rescue missions take time to implement so every detail is in place. Wait on God’s perfect timing.

Secondly, you have to be open and alert. You may come up with a plan of what YOU think your rescue mission should look like. For example, Jesus should return to earth right now. Although this would be nice, that doesn’t mean this is God’s plan. Remember, He has a very specific plan just you and your situation. You have to be open to His plan and alert to be able to see His help when it comes. His help comes in all forms. Will God send Jesus – it could happen. Will He send an angel – possibly, in some form or fashion. Your angel my be an earthly angel. Maybe it’s a boat. Or maybe it’s a random comment from a stranger that God uses. Maybe it’s a picture you see or something you read. Maybe it’s a difficult conversation with a dear friend or family member that challenges you. Maybe God will provide a resource or opportunity. You just never know. God is so creative! After all, He created the earth and everything on it. You never know what He will use in your rescue mission. This is what we CAN learn from the story – if you are not alert and open to God’s rescue mission, you WILL miss it.

There was a third principle God whispered to my heart related to this story. God’s rescue mission will require action on your part. First of all, you need to be in tune with God in order to recognize His rescue mission. Since God has given you the privilege of free will, you have to choose a relationship with Him. A relationship with Him requires intentional choices, actions, and behaviors. Secondly, God can provide all kinds of resources, opportunities, and help; but, if you are not willing to take the help and use it, it does nothing for you. You can be in tune with God and know the boat is His rescue mission. However, if you refuse to accept His help and actually get up and climb into the boat – well, the storm will eventually sweep you away. You may be thinking, “Well, if His plan was as simple as climbing into a boat, then I could do that!” Sometimes the action required is much more challenging than climbing into a boat. This is your Brewing Ground. God never promised that your rescue mission would be easy. He DID promise that He is right there with you and will help you. He will equip you to handle your rescue mission. After all, it is a rescue mission – it is meant to save something.

This is a perfect example of God’s refining fire talked about in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of God’s Refining Fire series. We are found, broken, crushed, washed, put through the fire multiple times, purified, then still go through the process to be transformed into a beautiful masterpiece. He has planned a rescue mission to save us from the rocks, mire, and muck we are buried under. God is right there with you. Will you be open and alert to His rescue mission? Will you take action when help arrives?

Have you ever known anyone like the man in the story? Have there been times in your life when you were that man? Did they/you realize it before or after “drowning”? Comment below!

Let’s Brew!

Still Waiting

October 3, 2016

^“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

There are those days when you feel like you should have just stayed in bed. In fact, there have even been some days you may have been tempted to actually drop everything, go home, and get back in bed for the rest of the day. I’ve had some of those days! You know the kind of days that I am talking about. Those days when it seems like you just can’t catch a break. Let’s set the stage.

You are currently smack dab in the middle of your Brewing Ground. You are in the midst of one of your greatest trials ever. You wake up feeling particularly stressed about your current situation. It seems like it will never end and you are feeling so

weary and emotionally spent! Then, you see the time! “Oh No!” Your alarm didn’t go off; so, you are off to a late start. You are running around like a crazy person trying to get everyone ready. The coffee maker is not working – NOOOOO!!!! Now, the children are messing around, instead of getting ready. One of them has just spilled, what seems to be, a whole gallon of milk all over everything and everyone. How could there have possibly been that much milk in that cup? Everyone now has to change clothes plus the milk has to get cleaned up! This is a point in time when you WANT to cry over spilled milk. It is warranted! You almost NEED to cry over spilled milk for your own personal sanity. What a day – and you haven’t even left your house yet! You finally get everyone ready. Let’s go! As you reach for your keys, panic shoots through your body. You realize that in the chaos of children messing around and milk flying everywhere, your keys have disappeared! “Everyone retrace your steps – find my keys!” By the grace of God the keys are found fairly quickly and you get everyone to their destination in one piece. Victory! Only until you realize that, in all the chaos, you forgot to grab your phone! Of course you did! Why wouldn’t you? Before you can even think about how to solve your phone and coffee problem (not solving them is not an option), someone barges in with a huge work disaster that only you can fix! And of course only you can fix it! AHHHH!!! This is the point when you are ready to head back home and go back to bed! You pray, “Sweet Jesus please come back right now!” You open your eyes and you are still at work. Cue pitiful sigh, “HAAAA!!”

Although it may not seem like it in the moment, the small daily situations and frustrations will resolve themselves and pass quickly. The challenge with these situations is to keep your sanity and your cool. However, your Brewing Ground trial is not a situation that can be fixed nearly as quickly or as easily. It has already been a long road. In fact, God has you Waiting while He is working on your behalf. You are waiting for Him to turn this into one of Your Finest Moments. It will happen! While brewing and waiting, we trust God; but, it is so easy to become stressed, emotionally spent, weary, and exhausted! We have to keep coming back to God and letting go and resting in Him. Remember, He is orchestrating and directing one of the greatest shows of your life – one worth Waiting for! While patiently waiting, you must continue coming back to God to find rest in Him; He WILL renew your strength. This is the only way you will survive!

^“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

As I am reading this verse I can actually visualize eagles gliding through the air with ease. Runners that just keep going, even after crossing the finish line. Walking an entire desert and not fainting. Can you image traversing your Brewing Ground with strength and endurance?! Just wait on God and trust Him and His perfect timing. God will renew not only your physical strength, but also your emotional and mental strength.

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

There is HOPE! God is with me! I CAN do this! I will trust and wait on Him!

Back to the day when we just want to go home and go back to bed. This is a point in time when you MUST stop everything and pray, clam yourself, regroup, refocus, and know that you will make it through this day! “God thank you that I have children to spill milk. Thank you that there is milk to be spilled! Thank you for extra clothes to change into. Thank you that I have a house to leave. Thank you for a working vehicle with gas to get us to our destinations safely. God, thank you for my job and for giving me the skills I need to do the job! Thank you for today; you still have work for me to do. I still have purpose! Thank You!” (You silently pause as you prepare your heart for this next part.) “God, thank you for my Brewing Ground. I KNOW that you will use it for good. I trust you. But, I am feeling so tired and weary. While I am still waiting patiently, I am coming to you to renew my strength spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally. Meet me in this moment, in this day, on my Brewing Ground. I can not do this without you! I know this will be one of the greatest shows of my life; one worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see how it ends – It WILL be glorious! Thank You! In Jesus name I pray and claim it. Amen.”

Brew with Renewed Strength!