God's Promises Archives – Page 2 of 2

Your Finest Moments

September 19, 2016

Give me just a moment please; I’m going to grab a cup of coffee, or maybe some tea, before we begin. Would you like to join me? 🙂 (Elevator music playing!) OK, I’m glad that you made it back? You know, sometimes you just need a moment to sit down with a cup of coffee or tea (some of you may prefer a soft drink of some sort) and catch your breath, rest, and gather your thoughts. Maybe it’s a moment to reflect, or process something. I know I need these moments! These moments can be therapeutic; they can offer rest and can sooth the soul! Let’s talk about moments.

Life is made up of moments. Some are a literal moment; some even a split second. Some moments are fleeting and go by so quickly; and some seem to last an eternity. Some are good, some bad,

and some are just moments to get the job done. There are moments of joy, sadness, excitement, elation, grief, sorrow, pain, happiness, love, service, and the list goes on. But, you will find that there are particular moments in life that have a greater calling. Moments that have an impact on us as individuals and change our outlook or the course of our life. Moments that inspire greatness or moments of defeat. Moments that take your breath away; realizing God’s grandeur with a particularly beautiful sunset or holding your baby for the first time. Moments that take your breath away because it feels like you were just hit with a ton of bricks. That split second when you hear “the news” as the severity of it registers in your brain: a car accident, a severe life threatening illness, a death, a confession, a situation. These are the moments when you realize that things will never be the same again. These moments can change the direction of our life. Let’s take Mary for instance.

^“30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. ³¹And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.” Luke 1:30-31 KJV

Wow, can you imagine getting THAT news. THAT news changes everything! It also carried with it possibly severe consequences for that season in her life, being unmarried but also engaged. Regardless of the consequences and the opposition she would face, she agreed.

^“38And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” Luke 1:38 KJV

And the angel was gone! It was probably all over before she even had a chance to process what was actually happening. Can you imagine her thoughts and emotions those first few moments after the angel left? I would imagine that human nature took over her mind. I can hear her conversation with God, “Wait a second! What just happened? What did I agree to? You want me to do WHAT? Do you know what this means for me?” I would think that was a moment that took Mary’s breath away; a moment when she had to stop and catch her breath? A moment she had to spend with God just letting go and trusting. I would also call this a defining moment. Despite what this would mean for her socially, she agreed. She stepped out in faith and trust in God. She realized that He was with her and He would somehow work it all out. She had to; how else would she make it through this situation! That doesn’t mean it wasn’t hard. So, defining moment – YES! A moment that will forever change the course of, not just her life, but also the world; and yet, it only lasted a moment. BUT, she seized the moment and her moment was the beginning of a journey. Let’s take a look at another defining moment.

Moses had led the children of Israel out into the wilderness of Egypt to deliver them from the grip of Pharaoh. The Pharaoh gathered the Egyptian army and they begin pursing the people of Israel. As the army begins to close-in, the Israelites realize they are trapped and begin to panic, get scared, lose faith, and question. Moses responds:

^“13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more for ever. ¹⁴The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” Exodus 14:13-14 KJV

Then Moses needed a moment! His human nature was taking over and the reality of the situation caused him to catch his breath. After all, the loss would be so great if he was wrong. So, he took time to pray!

^“15And the Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:” Exodus 14:15 KJV

God responded! “Stop praying, it’s time to move! Here’s what you will do.”

^“16But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Exodus 14:16 KJV

When Moses got to the waters edge with the Pharaoh’s army hot on their tracks he had to make a decision and take action. There was no turning back; that was certain death. The only option was the sea. Now, in that split second do you think there was a question in his mind? “So – I’m just suppose to put my rod up and stretch it over the sea and we will all be able to cross on dry land?” To believe this, required Moses to step out in faith and trust God. Who else had gone around parting seas before so a whole nation could cross on dry land! So, defining moment – YES! But, he seized the moment and his moment was able to continue the journey for the people of Israel.

Mary and Moses; what defining moments. Both of these individuals faced great opposition while seizing their defining moments. What if they would have given up or not followed through with what God was asking and brewing in them. How would this have changed our world even today.

God will place defining moments in your life. These will not look the same as they did for Mary and Moses. They may not be as grand and world changing with angels, giving birth to the savior of the world, and seas parting – or will they. Regardless, in those moments when you have to catch your breath, when you realize that things will never be the same again, in your defining moments, in the moments that change everything – I challenge you. I challenge you (even in the midst of sadness, grief, or heartbreak) to take a moment to embrace God’s brewing love. Catch your breath and try to think about what your moment could be or what God wants it to be. Seize your moment – good, bad or ugly! Let God use your worst moments to brew you and turn them into some of your finest moments – He will surprise you!

Let’s brew in the moment!

Claim Your Promises!

September 12, 2016

Side Note Before We Begin:

God really laid this on my heart as I have friends, family, and myself in the midst of war. I hope this encourages and blesses you.

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV

One day you are jolted by reality. You are still in the middle of your Brewing Ground fighting the longest war of your life. This is not just a battle; this is a war which is composed of multiple battles all revolving around the same situation. You wonder, “Will it ever end?”

You realize that you are exposed in the middle of enemy territory AND with no map. This has you at a huge disadvantage. The enemy knows the area like the back of their hand – you do not. You have no idea where you are. What you do know, is that you are days from civilization. Your adrenaline surges as you realize that your enemy is closing in on your location; you have no idea where you can even take cover. You have been fighting this war for soooo long and are so tired and weary. All you need is a place to take cover, regroup, think, replenish your supplies, rest. You start to panic as you are realizing there is no way out.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 KJV

Then, peace rushes over you as God reaches out to grab your hand to remind you that He is with you. He reminds you that He knows the way out. He made the terrain and knows your enemy. He knows your Brewing Ground; He knows where the enemy is and what their plans are. He knows where to find cover and regroup. God is your only way out. You must grab His hand, close your eyes, and just trust. This is your ONLY option for survival.

“10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.” Psalm 66: 10-12 KJV

As God is leading you, He will take evasive measures in order to avoid and lose the enemy. You will go through fire (scorching desert or forest fire) and water (raging river). You may have to climb mountains, trudge through quick sand, or who knows what else. You may feel like you have been through the wringer; and you have – it’s God’s refining fire. As God is taking you through your Brewing Ground to avoid the enemy and survive your war, He is also refining you. Refining you by removing the impurities. God is heating you up to just the right temperature so that He can then transform you into His masterpiece. He is forming and creating; buffing and polishing. But, this takes a toll. During this time, you may grow weary and only God can offer the relief you need. Let Him lead you to His sanctuary for restoration. He will give you rest.

“23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 KJV

God will make sure that you not only survive but thrive. He has so many promises that we can hold onto. I am currently in the midst of my own war that has been raging for years now. Through it all, He continues to lay on my heart a particular promise.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 KJV

Please, do not miss the important parts in this verse. He will work ALL things (not some but ALL) for good for those that love Him, His followers, that have a relationship with Him. War has casualties; people get hurt. God will take the terrible in our life and He will use it for good. But, in the middle of it all – you can’t always see that big picture. You have no way of knowing how God can use it all for good. Sometimes, it just doesn’t seem possible. That is why you have to trust Him. The ending of our war may not come when we want it to. It may not look like we think it should. It may not end the way we want. God is so creative! He has a way of weaving things together in our life in such a way that, once you can see it all, it is so amazing. However, it may look very different from what you thought it would. God is not just full of promises, but also surprises!

Has your war ended? Is it just beginning? Or, has it not started yet? The end to my war is not in sight just yet. Lately, I have found myself very weary and wondering if it will ever end. In response to these feeling God continues to remind me that whatever happens, He will use it all for good. In fact, God has recently been whispering a new promise to me.

“And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.” Hebrews 6:15 KJV

This verse is actually talking about Abraham and God’s promise to give him a son, Isaac. When I came across this verse God whispered something a little different to my heart. He reminded me to be patient and to keep on keeping on. There Is An End! He not only promises that there is an end, but, by continuing on I can claim, with confidence, all of His promises. Until my war ends, I claim the promise that He is with me always! I claim that He will lead me to still waters if I will trust Him; He will give me rest and help restore me when I am weary. I claim that there IS an end and it will be Glorious! Thank You Jesus! Claim Your Promises!

Let’s Brew!

Rainbow Focus

August 29, 2016

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

Paper and Pencils and Crayons – Oh My! Paper and Pencils and Crayons – Oh My! Paper and Pencils and Crayons – Oh My! Oh – back to school! It’s that time of year here in West Texas, in my neck of the woods. There is just something about new school supplies. I guess it’s really more about what they represent than the actual items themselves. They represent the idea of a new, clean start. It’s the excitement of new friends, a new teacher, and new opportunities. School supplies are almost like the harvest of the back to school season – ripe with possibilities and adventures just waiting to be picked.

Since the new school year is ripe with possibilities and adventures, some people can’t wait for school to start back. Others have not always had a great school experience and dread it. For me it is bittersweet. As a parent, what a blessing it is to have the privilege of watching your own children grow and develop. It is exciting to watch them grow into the beautiful masterpiece that God created them to be. However, it goes so fast. You wonder how your children somehow got this old so quickly. Where does the time go? I have yet to answer this question!

Back to school time is also bittersweet for me in another way. I am a teacher. The start of the school year also holds the excitement of a new year with new possibilities. Watching all your students grow and develop is such a joy. There is something almost magical when a child’s lightbulb goes off and they finally “get” a concept. However, starting the school year also means the end of the summer with my girls. As the school year begins though, the list of things that a teacher has to get done in order to be prepared for the upcoming year is so, so long. In fact, in most all cases, the list is so long it actually requires more time to complete than what is actually available. I know that every teacher can so easily get overwhelmed which leads to frustration which is amplified by exhaustion. But, teachers willingly power through, working many extra hours, knowing that all their hard work will be so worth it once they see all those students’ beautiful smiling faces back in school. As a teacher, you have the special task and privilege of making a difference in not only children’s lives but also the future. What a beautiful thing it is – and so worth it.

As our first day of school rolled around, it was actually raining that morning. This is a bit of a rare occasion in our area; it doesn’t rain here very often. I know what people were thinking as the day began – “Really! It has to rain on the first day of school?! What terrible weather to begin a new school year!” In fact, I teach at an early elementary campus and could hear my fellow teachers thoughts. “It’s the first day back and we can’t even take the kids outside for recess. They will need to go outside!” All early elementary teachers know exactly what I am talking about. But as teachers (and in life), we have to be flexible. The unexpected will happen; it is inevitable. So, we have or will come up with a plan B; sometimes plan C and even D. And…we will still have a great day! And all the teachers said “Amen”! OK – I’m moving on. So, my girls and I got ready and loaded everything in our vehicle and began the drive to school; and there it was. We saw something marvelous! Amongst the rain and dark grey clouds – a RAINBOW! Not just a slight ting of one either; but a bright, clear full rainbow which you could clearly see both ends of. Not only that, but then we saw that there was also a second rainbow! WOW! This is very rare in our area, we hardly ever see rainbows.

The girls and I looked at and talked about the rainbow on the way to our first day of school. As I was driving, God was whispering to me. He laid on my heart that just like a new school year is a new season with great possibilities in our life, there may also be seasons of storms. These stormy seasons are the trials on our battleground in life. These are the seasons in which He is refining us with his fire, and brewing something special in us. For these seasons, there may be storms, rain, and dark grey clouds; but, in the midst of these storms are rainbows of beautiful, bright colors – His promises.

^“12And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³I do set my (rain)bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.” Genesis 9:12-13 KJV

God has so many promises that we can hold onto in the stormy seasons, or everyday for that matter. However, the one that He kept laying on my heart is that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is always there to help us.

^“5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Hebrew 13:5-6 KJV

So, when we are in the midst of stormy seasons in our lives; and, sometimes it feels like our trials are winning the war – you have a choice. We can focus on the storm with the rain and dark clouds; OR, we can focus on the rainbow – God’s promises. Rainbow Focus will concentrate on the fact that He is with us always; He will use the stormy seasons for good as He is refining us and brewing something special in us. There are many more of God’s promises that we can also focus on; maybe He will whisper a certain promise to you for your situation. Either way, will you choose to focus on the rain or rainbow? I challenge you to choose Rainbow Focus with me.

Let’s Brew!