Category Archives: Action

Nov14

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 29. “So David said to Achish, ‘But what have I done? And to this day what have you found in your servant as long as I have been with you, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?’ Then Achish answered and said to David, ‘I know that you are as good in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle. Now therefore, rise early in the morning with your master’s servants who have come with you. And as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart'” (Verses 8-10). I almost feel bad for the Lord of the Philistines, he is being lied to. He believes in David, believes he is being genuine and honest. However, David is playing him. David, is misrepresenting God. He is using the Philistine, who does not know God. Who will never fully know God, because God’s representative is living a lie. We (Christians) are God’s representative, we sometimes are the only picture of Christ that another will see. Don’t misrepresent. Live for Christ, be a right representative, let people see Christ in you. 

Nov11

DAY 314 (2014)

Posted on by
Standard
We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey's guide. (Picture by Lisa R.)

We make our plans, but God directs our path. Let Him be your journey’s guide.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

So I am about to tell you a God story. as you read the events you are going to think to yourself, “Clearly this girl does not have a good handle on the meaning of God story”. But follow me, I promise I have a point. Yesterday my mom and I went out for a bit. In the middle of our travels a light came on in my car. The light was a warning that my tire pressure was low. I did not have any idea how to put air in my tires (my boyfriend normally takes care of my car issues). I called Sears and they told me they could do it for free. So, today my mom and I went to Sears to have the tire pressure fixed. Since we were out and the weather in Western New York was unseasonably warm we decided to get a couple frosties from Wendy’s. I had a couple free coupons and decided today was as good a day as any to use them. We drove to Wendy’s, I pull out the coupons and begin reading (checking the fine print), at the same time I pull the key out of the ignition and lay it on my console. I then get out of my car,  hit the lock button, them shut my door. The moment the door went CLICK, something in my brain also went CLICK… I quickly started yelling at my mom, “Don’t shut your door! Don’t shut yo…” CLICK! Awww man! Yup, being the genius that I am I had locked the keys in the car. *sigh* :/ . Then I remembered that my boyfriend had given my mom the spare key to the car (even from Florida he knew). However, home was 3 miles away. Yesterday the temperature here in Buffalo was 44 degrees, today the weather was 67 degrees. It was a beautiful day for a walk. So my mom and I made the 3 mile walk home, as we walked we realized what a blessing it was that today was such a gorgeous day. We thanked God for the exercise. We thanked God for the fresh air and the great conversation. Almost forgetting what had started us on this trek in the first place. We reached home retrieved the keys, and made the same trek back to the car (I am always surprised that the return trip always seems shorter). It dawned on us that neither of us were angry about the key in the car. We both thanked God for giving my boyfriend the foresight to give my mom the key to being with. We thanked God for free air in the tires. Once back in the Wendy’s parking lot I opened the door and retrieved my keys. Then we went inside to claim our prize… ice cream never tasted so good 😉 . What’s the point? Today should have been cold, but it was beautiful. Today I enjoyed free ice cream and free tire service. Not to mention I got my 10, 000 steps in. I enjoyed a beautiful day outside with my mother (who loves to walk by the way). The point: God takes care of us even if on this journey we lock our keys in the car of life.

“Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).

The Lesson: If life locks you outside. Go for a walk, enjoy the day.

Nov11

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 26. “So David and Abishai came to the people by night; and there Saul lay sleeping within the camp, with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. And Abner and the people lay all around him. Then Abishai said to David, ‘God has delivered your enemy into your hand this day. Now therefore, please, let me strike him at once with the spear, right to the earth; and I will not have to strike him a second time!’ But David said to Abishai, ‘Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed, and be guiltless?’ David said furthermore, ‘As the Lord lives, the Lord shall strike him, or his day shall come to die, or he shall go out to battle and perish'” (Verses 7-10). Saul, Saul, what is your malfunction sir? He is chasing David to kill him, yet he goes to sleep. Who sleeps during battle? Twice. Twice God  delivers Saul into David’s hands with no one to rescue him, save David’s desire to serve the Lord righteously. What’s my point. Sometimes we are presented with the easy way out, so easy it feels like the right thing to do. I asked myself this question, “if I was in the same position as David, would I have spared Saul?” I am not sure I would have, I would have probably seen it as God providing a way of escape. What David has taught me, was that it not about the “easy way” it is about “God’s way”. Hold out don’t give into the “easy” wait for GOD.  

Nov9

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 24. “And David said to Saul: ‘Why do you listen to the words of men who say, Indeed David seeks your harm? Look, this day your eyes have seen that the Lord delivered you today into my hand in the cave, and someone urged me to kill you. But my eye spared you, and I said, I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord’s anointed. Moreover, my father, see! Yes, see the corner of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the corner of your robe, and did not kill you, know and see that there is neither evil nor rebellion in my hand, and I have not sinned against you. Yet you hunt my life to take it. Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you. As the proverb of the ancients says, Wickedness proceeds from the wicked. But my hand shall not be against you'” (Verses 9-13). Here is a God rule to follow (yup I meant God), “The Lord judge between you and me…” When some one takes advantage, when people lie. When our love ones disappoint us, or cause us pain. Don’t take matters into our own hands, instead let God be the judge. We are all imperfect only God is perfection, only God has the right to judge. The solution to life’s frustrations and unfairness… Let the Lord JUDGE.  Seriously it is just that simple. 

Nov7

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 22. “And the king said, ‘You shall surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!’ Then the king said to the guards who stood about him, ‘Turn and kill the priests of the Lord, because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled and did not tell it to me.’ But the servants of the king would not lift their hands to strike the priests of the Lord.  And the king said to Doeg, ‘You turn and kill the priests!’ So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck the priests, and killed on that day eighty-five men who wore a linen ephod.  Also Nob, the city of the priests, he struck with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and nursing infants, oxen and donkeys and sheep—with the edge of the sword” (Verses 16-19). Saul has fallen so far. It’s interesting to me the backwardness of his actions. In order to gain God’s favor he has decided to do ALL the things God had told him NOT to do. His version of reverse psychology. Let’s bring Saul’s action into today’s society. How many times do we do the same with friends, with family, and with God. To get attention we do the opposite of what should be done. Why? Because we know it will illicit a response, even if the response is negative. But what we don’t realize is, so will doing what is right. However, it is usually easier to do what is wrong. All God wanted was for Saul to sincerely repent, and his relationship with God could have been restored (not his kingdom, but his relationship). The same is true for us, to be restored all we need to do is sincerely repent. Sincerely recognize our sin and humbly repent. But our pride wars against humility. Thus many times we choose the opposite choice. Make the hard choice, choose to repent. Initially it will be painful, but the fruit it bears will be like nothing we have experienced before.  

Nov6

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 20. “Now David took these words to heart, and was very much afraid of Achish the king of Gath. So he changed his behavior before them, pretended madness in their hands, scratched on the doors of the gate, and let his saliva fall down on his beard. Then Achish said to his servants, ‘Look, you see the man is insane. Why have you brought him to me? Have I need of madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?'” (Verses 12-15). I love these verses. I can’t help but laugh every time I read this story. David is brought before the king of Gath, who sees David (the warrior) as a threat. David sensing that the situation could end up dangerous for him, does the only thing he could think of doing, which was… act like a crazy person. He starts foaming at the mouth, talking nonsensical… he looks insane. To the point where the king has him removed from his presence. Ever feel like your back is against the wall? You have no plan B and plan A has fallen through. David’s solution act crazy. Here’s the thing though, he may not have been acting. For all that was going on in his life, David may have just given in to how he was really feeling. Honesty really is the best policy. David’s life felt crazy and so he acted crazy, and it worked. Sometimes we need to say what we feel. If we notice we aren’t were we use to be, we need to be honest enough to admit so we can change. David actions were an admission that he felt out of control. From this point on he renders control to God (I read ahead 😉 ). The lesson: Admit you’re out of control, then give God control. The situation may not change, but your view of it will, because you’ll see it from God’s perspective.

Oct31

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 18. “Now Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with him, but had departed from Saul. Therefore Saul removed him from his presence, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. And David behaved wisely in all his ways, and the Lord was with him. Therefore, when Saul saw that he behaved very wisely, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them” (Verses 12-16). Here’s something odd, David loved Saul, but Saul despised David, who had done nothing (literally) to deserve it. Even if we do everything right. We won’t always be loved, we won’t always find favor in the sight of others. But that should not change our actions. Our actions should not be based on the actions of others, they should be based on what we know to be true. We are called to be salt and light. We are called to flavor the world and give it light. David loved Saul and served him faithfully, even though Saul had tired to kill him on several occasions. David did not allow the actions of another to control his actions. Instead in wisdom he chose to do what God had called him to do, serve the king. 

Oct29

DAY 301 (2014)

Posted on by
Standard
Give God the 1%... Smashing only makes the problem worse.

Give God the 1%… Smashing only makes the problem worse.

I dislike when things don’t go my way. Actually that’s not completely true, I don’t, what I actually dislike is not being able to fix a problem. Remember my “functional savior” post? This is the biggest issue in my walk with God. That innate desire/need to fix whatever problem is at hand. The problem with this “gift” is that it tends lead me into making bad choices and wrong decisions. Right now I am in a position where I want to “fix” an issue that I am facing, but God is telling me to allow Him. But the feeling that I am experience is akin (I think) to a drug addict who needs a hit. I am sitting on my hands, but everything inside of me is screaming, “I NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION NOW!” Can anyone else relate or is it just me? God had already worked out 99% of the issue, but that one percent… that one percent is what is killing me. Crazy, right? (I never claimed to be sane)… I have been thinking about this particular habit of mine. Today especially because I really want to find a fix to what is going on. Then I remembered my functional savior post (stolen from @Lacrae), and I see clearly that I am searching for something to cling to instead of just waiting for God to do what He does best, which is be my REAL savior. What’s my point? Sometimes God leaves the 1% till the end, because He is waiting for us to let go of it.

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Lesson: The verse says ALL needs. Give God the one percent. He’ll meet the need.

Oct28

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 15. “So Samuel said: ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,He also has rejected you from being king'” (Verses 22-23). God requires obedience not sacrifices. How does that sentence translate in today’s vernacular? God requires obedience not repentance. It was simple enough, God makes Saul king. He gives him rules and regulations that he needed to obey. Only Saul does things his way, neglecting God’s rules. But still expects God to bless him, still expects God to keep His part of the bargain, even though Saul himself was not keeping his part. When he realizes that God is serious, he asks for forgiveness, but that is not what God wants. What He wants is obedience. I am not saying that God won’t forgive when we ask, what I am saying is that forgiveness needs to be sincere. Saul didn’t ask for forgiveness because he felt bad about disobeying God, he asked forgiveness because he didn’t want to lose what he had… the power of being king. We do the same, for fear of losing what we have we cry out to God, asking Him to forgive us and just bless us one more time. For that we repent, but our hearts are not in it. We are not sincere, and God rejects our plea. Why? He requires OBEDIENCE, not sacrifice. Obedience asks forgiveness with a heart that says, “I will NEVER do that again Lord.”

Oct26

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

Posted on by
Standard
I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

1 Samuel 13. “And Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ Saul said, ‘When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord. Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.’ And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you'” (Verses 11-14). Ever felt compelled to “help” God out? He gave clear commands to Saul in the previous chapter, “If you do what I say, your kingdom shall be established” But Saul felt “compelled” to help God out. Why? From Saul’s earthly point of view, God (and His servant Samuel) was not working within Saul’s timetable. Not gonna say I don’t understand this feeling or the drive to help, to fix the situation. The problem is this… we don’t see the whole picture. Our view is limited to what is in front of us, where as God sees the beginning and the end. “No man can fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecc 3:11). Without knowing God’s plan Saul formed a plan of his own and it ended up bringing about his end. We are the same, and our decision to “help” can bring about our end. Instead ask God to reveal His plan. He is not hiding His will. Stop when He says, stop. Go, when He says, go. But don’t MOVE without Him.