Tag: faith

In the Word Wednesday: D.O.U.B.T

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

“Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’” Mark 9:23

If you tell me you never have doubts, I seriously doubt I’ll believe you. Not just doubt…seriously doubt. Why do people say that? “Seriously doubt.” As if your doubting isn’t serious. I’m jokingly doubting. I’m half-serious about my doubts. I don’t know, I digress because this has nothing to do with what I’m talking about today.

I mean I am talking about doubt, no doubt, but not the “seriously” part. Speaking of parts, I’m going to have to do this in 2 parts or it will become a blong, not a blog.

Okay, I hear you…I’m getting on with it!

Here’s an acrostic for doubt.
What is it, why do we do it and how can we overcome it? 

1. Dim View of God
     

Let’s look at a man who’s view of God was surrounded in shadows. His name was, Naaman. You can read about him in 2 Kings 5:1-19. He was a powerful commander. He had many victories under his belt, including the one that conquered Israel, well he assumed he was responsible for it. In reality, God gave him that victory. God used enemies to discipline His children when they went astray, to humble them and bring them to repentance. At this time, He used Syria to discipline Israel’s rebellion.

Here’s the thing about Naaman. He had leprosy.

Now watch God work His wonders. Naaman, upon conquering the Israelites, took a young Israelite girl as a slave for his household. A young girl who knew the LORD–knew of His greatness and she told her master that God could heal him.

Naaman goes to see Elisha, the prophet–who tells him to dip in the Jordan. The Jordan!? That dirty water? A man as great as Namaan? Surely, there was another way and also, who did this prophet think he was that he couldn’t even come out to greet him in person! Of all the…

Pride.

Naaman expected something greater. What he got was, “Go wash in the Jordan.”

God will use the seemingly foolish to heal. To bring wisdom. To save.
1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

Had Namaan had a better view of God, he would have immediately been obedient. He would have been ecstatic to jump in a dirty river.

How’s your view of God?

Psalm 19:8 says, “…the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes.”

Psalm 119:18, “open my eyes that I may see wondrous things in Your law.”
You have to read the word for your eyes to be opened. Study it, meditate on it. It brings life to your bones and a brilliant view of who God is. To get a better view of God, spend time with Him! It clears any blurriness. No doubt about it.

2. Obstacles Stand in the Way

There are tons of obstacles. Top 3 (my opinion) 1. Your past 2. Your identity 3. Circumstances (out of your control and/or due to consequences of sin)

Gideon. You can read about him in Judges 6. Gideon had every excuse in the book not to deliver Israel from the hands of the Midianites. He was from a small tribe and he wasn’t brave. For crying out loud, when the Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Jesus) came to him he was hiding in a wine press threshing wheat. Yet He called Gideon, “mighty man of valor.” (Jesus sees us much differently than we see ourselves!)

He had serious doubts…oops, there’s that serious again. But the Angel of the Lord had no doubt. Not in who He was or what He could do. In the end, just like Naaman, Gideon obeyed. Victory came. Go ahead, doubt yourself. Truth is you can’t do what He asks of you. But He can do it through you. Don’t doubt Him!

Obstacles will always be there. God will move you through them, over them, and sometimes even around them. Numbers 21:4. The Israelites couldn’t go through Edom to get where they were going. They had to go around it. It took a little longer, but sometimes what you’re after takes time. It can be discouraging, but remember…God is in control. Always.

Remember these 3 things when you feel overwhelmed by obstacles:

1. Your identity rests in Christ Jesus. You’re not condemned.
     John 8:10-11; Romans 8:1

2. Let your mistakes become ministering tools for others, don’t let your past hold you back. 2 Corinthians 5:17

3. No matter what circumtances you’re in, God loves you. He has a plan.
     Romans 8:35-39; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28
     
Next Wednesday, we’ll finish D.O.U.B.T

How do you handle doubt? Do you have a favorite scripture or Bible story that helps you overcome it when it creeps up on you or hits you like a Mack truck?


photocredit/freedigitalphotos

It’s Not a Fairy Tale

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
I can find Divine Romance in every fairy tale. I don’t think it’s hard to find in anything. Women love romance, but it was created by a Male.  The greatest romance ever written was breathed by God–it’s His love affair for us, penned by some of His chosen authors.
 

I love the idea of choice. I chose my husband. No one forced me to marry him. When I read about arranged marriages or women handed over as prizes, something inside me stirs like cold lumpy soup that didn’t turn out right. (not borscht, but that’s gross too)

Today, let’s take a look into a passage you may have read a million times. I know I have. I’ve skimmed it and moved on to things I understand. Do you do that? Skip over what seems confusing, dry, or uninteresting to move on to what you do understand and have read dozens of times. It makes you feel connected because you “get it.” But it doesn’t grow you. Not at all.

Find a passage that’s hard. Dry. Uninteresting. Then ask questions. Especially you writers! Ask why? How? Then do the research and find out! God loves a treasure hunter. He’ll help the words come to life on the page. Let’s bring life to a seemingly lifeless and unimportant passage. By the way, nothing is in the Bible by chance.  Just like in your own novels, make every word count. Set the background. Use the words to pace the story along. Make the words lyrical. The reader should hum along to the tune you’ve written. Take a lesson from the Bible!

Our story picks up in Joshua 15: 16-19 & Judges 1:12-15. It doesn’t take a huge portion of words to bring out a story. Less is more.

Backstory: The children of Israel are still fighting for their land. Much of it has been conquered, but not all of it. Joshua has died. There is no direct leader at this point. (See how I didn’t vomit a ton of backstory at the beginning.)

Caleb (you remember Caleb…he took his mountain in another blog post) says, “Whoever attacks Kirjath Sepher and takes it, to him I will give my daughter Achsah as his wife.”

Now let’s stop there. The lumpy soup is back. Geez, Caleb, couldn’t you offer up a few ounces of silver? Your daughter? Really? Really, Caleb?

Get out your spoon and get ready to stir the cold lumpy mess because it’s about to warm up into something delicious!

Looks are deceiving. Was Caleb really offering up his daughter as a thoughtless prize or was he looking for a noble man who could honor and protect her after he was gone? The father says, “Who will go up? Who will fight for this woman? Death is a possibility. Exhaustion a certainty.”

 

Achsah in Hebrew means “anklet, or ankle bracelet.” Names are a big deal in the Bible. When I think of an anklet, I see a dainty jewel. Precious.  Who will fight for his dainty precious jewel? He won’t be around forever. Remember, Caleb was a man of God. One of two spies willing to fight. One of two that entered into the Promised Land.

In verse 13, Othniel- the son of Kenaz (Caleb’s younger brother and we’re not going there, but those were the times, my friend…those were the times) took it. Othniel, also of the tribe of Judah. His name meaning…lion of God.

 

Let’s think about him a minute. He obviously has been around long enough that he knows Achsah. Maybe he’s seen her sitting among the young women. He’s been waiting for the right opportunity to make her his bride.

 Her delicateness interests him–enough he’s willing to take Kirjath Sepher, which means city of letters. We’re talking about a royal Canaanite city. Educated. A place located in the mountains. (now mountains of Judah west of Hebron)

When he comes back, victorious, Achsah comes to him and in verse 14 she moves him to request something of her father. The word in NKJV is “urge” but in KJV it’s “moved” and in Hebrew that word is “cuwth” and it means “incite, allure, instigate or entice.”
 
 
 Her father has raised her to love the Promised Land. Her inheritance. Imagine as she surveys the southern half–her half, how dry it is. She moves her husband– allures him with her beauty, her knowledge, and maybe even her heart for their inheritance– to ask her father for springs of water to quench the parched land.
 
Her father not only grants the upper springs, but the lower. He’s generous…abundant…lavish. Now she and her husband, who has fought honorably for her hand, can live…happily ever after.
 
It gets better. Better than happily ever after? Well, yeah, don’t you want your happily ever after? Did you not see the subtle foreshadowing? Every great book has it.
 
It begins with a dry parched land–a land barren from sin–and a Father who wants to make sure His dainty jewel, His ankle bracelet, is taken care of. A Father who is generous…abundant…lavish.
 
“Who will go up the mountain and fight for her?”
 
Someone had their eye on the lovely jewel.  “I will go.” Heaven hushed, only the swoosh of the seraphim wings continued to sound as they cried, “holy, holy, holy…”
 
An angel came and collected the royal robes and crown. And then in the still of the night, a baby’s cries could be heard echoing.
 

 

 
A face like flint

 

He grew in favor and wisdom, this Man and God…this Lion of Judah. 
 
He saw the prize and it was His joy to endure the battle for her hand in marriage.
 
He climbed a steep hill one that may have felt like a mountain…wounded, bleeding, flesh ripped, eyes swollen, exhaustion beating Him down…but He fought.
 
And He won.
 
 
 
It’s not a fairytale.
 We can live happily ever after…full of refreshing waters that quench a dry and parched soul. Our Father wants to give it to us. Water that will never run dry.
 
  “The royal daughter is all glorious within the palace;
         Her clothing is woven with gold.
  She shall be brought to the King in robes of many colors;
         The virgins, her companions who follow her, shall be brought to You.
  With gladness and rejoicing they shall be brought;
         They shall enter the King’s palace.”
Psalm 45: 13-15
 
What passage do you find uninteresting or confusing but would love to pull out treasure?

I’m a Gold Digger: Treasures From the Book of Joshua

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Yep, you read the title correctly. I’m a gold digger. I’m proud of it. I need the T-Shirt.

But I almost wasn’t.

I’m still writing my study in the book of Joshua. I’m at the point where it records his conquests. I wrote out the lesson, then had about a paragraph left before starting a new chapter. I skipped the last paragraph and started reading the new chapter when the Lord said, “You missed a few lines. Go back.” So I did.

Go back with me if you will, to Joshua 11:16-23. I want to focus on verse 21. I need to take you on a journey, that goes back to Numbers 13:16-33. It’s a journey of a young man, named Joshua. Son of Nun. (That is not a play on words or a typo. Nun does not = None.)

 

Joshua and eleven other men are commanded by Moses to go spy out their Promised Land. Eagerly, they take off on their mission, but when they come back only two of them (Joshua and Caleb–who was forty at the time) wanted to go in and possess the land. They trusted God. They believed. Faith was a road sign on their journey to their promise.

But the ten other spies were afraid and they put fear into the hearts of the people with their response, “We are not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we…There were giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.” Numbers 13:31-33.

Because of their lack of faith, God sentenced them to forty years in the wilderness. All the men able to go to war would die and because God is faithful, even when we are not, He would allow the second generation of children to enter the land plus Joshua and Caleb. Numbers 14:26-35.

Fast forward to Joshua 11:21-22. “And at that time, Joshua came and cut off the Anakim, from the mountains…None of the Anakim wer left in the land of the children of Israel…” Joshua, wasn’t playing around. He was finally getting to do what he wanted forty-five years earlier. (Forty years in the wilderness and five years of war to slay all the kings who had come against him. Joshua 11:18 and Joshua 14:10.)

 

Those are the facts.
What was the story?
 I wonder what it was like for Joshua and Caleb all those years in the wilderness. Late at night, did Joshua weep alone in his tent for the promise he knew was his and yet couldn’t touch. Did those years creep by, one heat filled day at a time?

Young Joshua begged–pleaded for the people to have faith and go in to take the land. So much, they wanted to stone him and Caleb. “But it’s ours! We can do this! God has given us this great promise!”

And then the sentencing. The righteous were sandwiched in between the wicked. They had to wait. A blessing was coming. But not for forty more dry, dusty filled years later. “God, this wasn’t my fault! I wanted to go. It’s just not fair that I should wait too.”

Joshua learned under Moses’ tutelage. He became skilled at leading, military strategy…and how to honor and obey God. Even if his nights may have been spent fighting bitterness towards those who had been disobedient and wicked.

Then forty years were up. It was time for Joshua to do what he’d wanted to do so many years ago, with Caleb–now eighty-five but strong. Picture them, sweaty and exhausted from war–yet never falling back. Pressing on. The last giant falls with a thud and only the dust rises. The men of the second generation shout in victory, but Joshua falls to his face in the sand and weeps. Caleb takes his place on the ground next to him.

“Why are you weeping? We should be dancing! Singing! Celebrating!” The army yelled and then stood dumbfounded.

They were dancing–in their hearts. They were singing–in their spirits They were celebrating–through tears. Tears that came from a long, arduous journey. At last. Joshua proved, those giants couldn’t stop the work of the Almighty God.

Caleb clasps his hand, pulls Joshua to his feet and says, “I am now eighty-five. I’ve waited forty five years for this. Yet I am not weak. God has made me as strong now as I was then. Now. Give. Me. My. Mountain.”

And Joshua blessed him and gave him Hebron formerly known as Kirjath Arba (Arba was the greatest man among the Anakim). Was.

How long have you been waiting for a promise? What are you doing while you wait? Life isn’t fair. Sometimes we feel stuck. Wandering. But your mountain is your mountain. God isn’t taking it away from you.

Tell your giants, “I’m. Coming. For. You. Give. Me. My. Mountain.”

 

What are you studying? Share a few golden nuggets!

Moments with Myles: Homework & God

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

If you keep up with me on facebook you’re used to the quips I write taken
 from my six year old son, Myles.

When Myles grows up he wants to be a “joke teller” a.k.a. comedian.  Here’s a moment with Myles:

I was exhausted on Monday, so I retired to the bedroom where my chocoloate candies from Valentine’s were awaiting my attention. My hubby was in the kitchen making him and my daughter some supper. Everything recorded is from what I heard happening in the kitchen. Ahem…

The oven door must have slipped from my hubby’s hand because the loud bang echoed into the bedroom.

“Myles, come and do your homework, Bud.”

I heard the TV silence. Myles had paused it. He pauses it for everything. To get a snack. To go to the bathroom. Heaven forbid he misses a second of Phineas and Ferb, Beyblade or MAD TV (the cartoon).

“Myles–” Tim calls out.

“Ma’am, yes, Ma’am,” Myles hollers in military style,and then I hear giggling.” Apparently, emasculating another man in playful fun starts at an early age.

I hear the chair squawk across the floor as Myles pulls it out and then papers rustle. “Just my spelling test, Dad,” Myles says, and it’s quiet a few moments before I hear the oven timer beeping.
,
I hear Tim close the oven doors again and say, “What are you doing, Myles?”

“My spelling test.”

“How are you doing the spelling test if you can see the words?” A pan rattles on the range. A few seconds pass.

“Why don’t you just let me worry about that, Dad,” Myles replies in an “I got this tone.”

“Myles, stop cheating! Give me a second and I’ll help you.”

I hear the humph, “I’ll be done all by myself by then.”

I laughed, but it struck me that we’re a lot like Myles. We want to hurry through the practice tests, learning nothing or skip them totally. We don’t want to wait on God to come and help us because we think the job can be done faster without Him. And when the real test comes, not the practice test…we can’t pass.

Patience isn’t easy for a six year old. It isn’t easy for a thirty five year old either. Don’t rush through the practice. Learn all you can because the real test will come. It could be a pop quiz! Be ready.

Let’s also thank God that when we do miss practice tests or rush through them, and flunk, He gives the test over and over again. But hey, let’s just learn it and move on. I’m ready to work on something new. I’m tired of taking the same old test I ought to know over again.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not.” Exodus 16:4

“But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” 1 Thessalonians 2:4

Have you had to take the same test over and over? What are you practicing for now?

 

Someone is Fighting for You

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

Take a peek into Joshua chapter 5 with me, starting with verse 11. I’d like to share the nuggets of treasure I’ve found.

The Israelites have just miraculously crossed over the Jordan. Not a creek, a river-a swollen overflowing river.

God has instructed that the men should be circumcised. And the Manna they had been eating for 40 years in the wilderness has gone away as they’ve eaten for the first time the fruit of the land.

Now Joshua walked out some distance, looking toward Jericho. Maybe he was thinking of military strategy,  or the fact that the Manna had ceased to yield provision. Surely, the responsibilities of being the new leader were weighing on his shoulders. But as his eyes looked up toward the horizon, in front of him, he saw a Man. A Man with His sword drawn.

It was right after the Manna had ceased that this interesting occurence took place. Joshua walks to the Man with the drawn sword, (Joshua 5:13) and he asks if He is for them or against them.

The Man gives a reply much like the Man in the New Testament often gives. He answers a question that really doesn’t matter, with an answer that does. You see, who this Man was for wasn’t the real question. He answers with, “No, but I have now come. I am the Commander of the Lord’s army.” What’s important is who He is. And who He is requires bowing and worship.

In the OT when you see the “Angel of the Lord” and the “A” is capitalized it is referring to Jesus PreIncarnate. If your version doesn’t capitalize the “A” a good way to tell if it is Jesus (before He came as flesh =PreIncarnate) is He is the only Angel that accepts sacrifices (like with Gideon) and allows worship. Other angels always made men get up and stop bowing at their feet.

Imagine this…Joshua is possibly fretting, wondering if the loss of Manna is going to cause a riot from panic and then He sees this Man, who didn’t come up behind him, but was already steps ahead of Joshua. He was waiting on him! This Commander who has already saved them before. Watch.

“And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19

“In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried them all the days of old.” Isaiah 63:9 

“…and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 Now the donkey saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand, and the donkey turned aside out of the way and went into the field. So Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back onto the road.” Numbers 22:22-23

Jesus fought for His beloved. He knew where He was needed most-sometimes in the front but when necessary holding off the enemy from the back. Whatever it took to protect His own He did. Anyone who stood in His people’s way, became an adversary to Him. He felt what they felt and loved them too much to ever relent. A true Man of War.

“The LORD is a man of war;The LORD is His name.” Exodus 15:3

Luke 2: 13 says, “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God…”

 

This word “host” in Hebrew is “stratia” and it means, “an army; a band of soldiers.” You see, the Angel of the Lord had come with a new strategy to save His beloved… as a tiny wrinkled baby crying in a manger, fully flesh…but also fully God. His title, though never as a man on earth, was still Commander. General. His army appeared out of reverance into the starry sky to celebrate the beginning of the greatest war ever fought, led, and won by the greatest Commander ever to exist!

He still fights on your behalf today, even though the real battle was won on the cross at Calvary. And one day, The Bread of Heaven will be tangible again. We will see Him come out of the heavens in all His glory.

 Can you picture it? An army of white horses with riders. The only sound that can be heard are the clicking of boots and a swish of a robe as it brushes the ground while the Commander walks to His horse at the front. He lays a strong but gentle hand on His steed and the great horse paws and blows a blast of hot air from his nose. The Commander doesn’t need to climb up in stirrups, the horse kneels before the Glorious one. He sits upon the horse and whispers into its ear, “Let’s go get our Bride.” The horse raises up and the sound of a unified army rings throughout the heavens. The Commander raises His sword and a sonic boom brings Him into the atmosphere.

And we meet Him in the sky. His promise fulfilled.  He will take us to be with Him forever.

 
“Now, I saw heaven opened and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself, He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword that with it, He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16.
 
What are you studying? Share a nugget!

A Story of Self Sacrifice…Little Rose of Sharon

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

“Surely the Creator will be pleased with my beautiful petals,” she thought happily. Then the Creator stood before her. For a long time, He looked down at her deep red petals and smiled. Before He turned to go, He bent down and breathed her sweet smell.”

Sometimes the most touching stories come in a simple tale for children. I bought this book by Nan Gurley several years ago while I was on a trip in Florida. I walked into the discount Christian bookstore and stumbled out with bags full of books.

I had every intention of giving this to my daughter, and I did…but it stays on my bookshelf because the truth is, God meant for me to have it more. It was what I needed at the time. He’s good about that…directing me to books to share a truth, confirm a promise, remind me of something He shared with me in our secret place or to teach me a new lesson about myself that requires change.

He did it all in this book that I simply cannot read without tearing up. It’s about a glorious rose who loves to have the Creator walk through the beauty He’s created, to stop and be pleased with her. She desperately wants His approval, and she believes it’s her beauty that brings His love for her.

A raging storm comes one night, and with all her strength she hangs on to her petals for fear she won’t be beautiful without them. It’s what makes her a rose. When the storm lets up and morning comes, she’s accomplished her goal. All her petals are still in tact. But then she hears the doves mourning. They fly around in desperate fear, and she realizes the wind has blown the doves’ egg onto the ground and they don’t see it.

The rose has to make a choice: Keep the one thing she thinks makes her loved or let it all go to save the dove’s egg. One by one, the rose lets her petals fall onto the tiny dove’s egg to keep it warm, but she’s left only a stem.

The egg hatches and the doves find their new baby. But it’s come at a cost for the rose.

 One afternoon, she hears the Creator coming in the distance, “Oh, dear,” she thought, “I hope He doesn’t notice me. Without my petals I am no longer beautiful.” The little rose was so ashamed, she looked down.”

But God did notice her. And He noticed her sacrifice.

“You have given all you had to save the life of the baby dove,” said the Creator. The little rose felt warm inside at the sound of His voice. “One day when my Son lives on this earth, He too will give everything He has.” The little rose looked up into the gentle eyes of the Creator. “Because of the love you have shown for the baby dove, I will call My Son the Rose of Sharon, for He too will give everything He has and show the world My love.”

She had misunderstood what God was smelling as a sweet fragrance. It wasn’t her petals, though they were beautiful. What He was taking in and enjoying was her heart.

You’re beautiful to God. What makes you beautiful has nothing to do with your appearance. It’s the love you show to others. It’s your selflessness.

We tend to think our talents and gifts are what make us special to God, when we use them for His glory, and yes those things are beautiful. He enjoys us using our gifts and talents for Him. It’s a sweet aroma, but what moves Him the most is when we give simply…ourselves. A surrendered heart, a sacrificial heart.

What children’s book have you read that touched you or taught you a valuable truth?

Nan Gurley

A Cord of Scarlet

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
I’m a studier- a researcher. Don’t ask any of my highschool friends or my parents, they’ll laugh in your face, but the older I become, the more I love to study. I want to know how things work and how they relate to God. Which brings me to what I love to study most. The Word of God. I love the Bible. I love to read  a story and daydream of what it might have been like between the lines. Strangely, I do not write historical fiction. (Shrug.)
There’s great treasure in the Word of God. In every word, every line. Treasure must be dug  for. Time has to be set aside. A desire to know and learn has to be present and bubbling in the heart. Once you stumble upon a nugget, a sense of thirst takes over and it’s impossible to stop. 
 
Something I teach to our young adults, is it’s never too late to begin, but it takes discipline to drag your lazy butt out of bed and get to it. I think you can read and study anytime, but early morning is the best time, before your day distracts you. And it will. Because life is distracting.
 
I’m studying the book of Joshua. I’m always amazed at the Providence of God. There’s so much beauty to pull out of the book, but today I want to share a little nugget about Rahab. Pronounced, “Ruh Kav.”  Rahab was a prostitute, but not a temple prostitute. Probably a woman who was forced into it by the death of a husband, as he’s not mentioned. She lived in a tiny apartment within the walls of Jericho.
 
It was within these stone walls, that may have felt like a prison, that two spies came to her to lodge. Interesting isn’t it? You know, the spies came from the Acacia Grove. The Acacia Grove is the first place that the Hebrews were introduced to harlots. Balaam put the bug in the Moab king’s ear that these prostitutes would turn the hearts of the men who served God away. And boy did it! I’m speculating now, but I wonder if those spies planned to survey the land, but also planned to do a little extra stuff on the side. What if God was taking care of the Hebrews, but using the lewd ideas of two spies to work everything out for the good of one woman who believed! I don’t know. It’s just a thought. I can’t prove it. But I wonder.
 
Here’s where it really gets good! You know the story…maybe. Rahab tells the spies that (I’m paraphrasing) the whole city is faint of heart and terrified of them because of their God. She even uses God’s personal name, “Yahweh.” Now, it shouldn’t be a surprise to the spies that everyone was afraid. In Dt. 2:25 God tells them all the people will be terrified and faint of heart.
 
Rahab asks to be spared. Kindness for kindness. The Hebrew word for “kindness in this verse is “checed.”  Pronounced,  HECK SUD.  It means “faithfulness; goodness; mercy.”  
 
In essence she is saying, “Since I have been good, faithful, and merciful to you by not turning you into my countrymen, I ask that you in turn show me goodness, faithfulness, and mercy.” 
 
Her last statement in this verse is, “and give me a true token.”
 
The word “true” in Hebrew is “Emeth.”  It means, “reliable; sureness; stability; continuance.”
 
The word “token” in Hebrew is “owth” and sounds like our word “oath.” It means, “a distinguishing mark; a miraculous sign; banner; remembrance;”
 
Rahab’s words are interesting, “Give to me a mark, a miraculous sign, a banner or remembrance that is reliable. Sure. Stable. Continuing.  To show you will save me and my family.”
 
In Joshua 2:14 the men reply, “…our lives for yours…”
They agree and then proceed to give her instructions. You can find these in Joshua 2:17-20. Don’t take my word for it, look it up!  

    She had to drop a scarlet cord or line from the window. A cord they gave to her, not one of her own. The word “cord” used when Rahab let the men down means rope in Hebrew. The word is “chebel”. The word “cord” or “line” used when the men gave Rahab the token is “chuwt” meaning thread.

 
 
But let’s take a closer look…KJV says, “Behold, [when] we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.”
 
The highlighted word, “Line” in Hebrew is “tiqvah” and it means, “hope; things hoped for; expectation;outcome.”
 
“Bind this hope, (line) –this reliable, sure, continuing (true) distinguishing mark, this marvelous (token) work outside this wall, and bring in your family so that you will be saved.”
Hang with me, catch this! Eph. 2:12-13 says,
“that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” NKJV

 

 
Rahab was a stranger…an alien from Israel and the covenants of promise. She had no hope and was without God.
 
But she believed. She was allowed to hang the crimson cord of hope given to her. She couldn’t produce it on her own. It showed the world where her faith lied. Salvation was given to her and all the family she brought inside.
 
That true token, that reliable and sure distinguishing mark, that miraculous sign was a symbol of an even greater hope that was to come! The true token of the new covenant. The blood of Jesus, the scarlet cord of his life poured out for our lives! Crimson Hope that saves us from death!
 
No longer would she be forced to work as a common prostitute, bound by humiliation and degradation. A Scarlet Cord of Hope freed her from invisible cords of a hopeless and destitute life.
 
Rahab was about to get a chance to start over! Joshua 6:20-22  
Joshua, tells the men to go into the harlot’s house, and bring out THE WOMAN. Her house may have been that of a harlot’s, but no longer would Rahab be a harlot. Go in (harlot) and bring out (woman).
 
A new creature. In Christ. Forever. Matthew 1 shares the geneology of Jesus, “…Salmon begot Boaz, by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David…And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.”
Not Rahab, the harlot. Just Rahab.
There’s nothing we can ever do that puts us out of the reach of Jesus or separates us from His love. That scarlet cord saved Rahab, a symbol of her many ‘greats’ grandson that would come to save us all!

No matter what circumstances you’re in. God is working behind the scenes on your behalf to bring you  hope and to change your life, to give you a purpose greater than yourself!

If you were Rahab, during those few days left before the Hebrews came to march around the walls of Jericho, what do you think you would have been doing or thinking? How much persuading do you think it took for her to convince her family that they would be spared?

And…what have you been studying? Share a nugget!
 
 

Are YOU a Hoarder?

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch

 

 
 

Hoarding: 

to accumulate money, food, or the like, in a hidden or carefully guarded place for preservation, future use, etc.
 
I’ve been watching the hoarding shows on TV the last couple of weeks. Mostly as research, but I suppose if I really wanted to, I could just go to my grandma’s house.
 
The minute the show comes on, my jaw drops. It’s hard to imagine someone living like the person in this picture. You could laugh or poke fun even, I’ve said a few smart-castic (that’s my own word…I think) things about my grandma’s house. But it’s rather tragic.  One episode, they had cleaned up the woman’s house, and six months later it was even worse than before! In six months!
 
Another woman had hundreds of jars. Glass jars for soup. Plastic jars for paint. The therapist asked her why she kept them, and she said because she might want to make soup, and if she threw away the jars then she’d never make it. When asked, “Have you made soup?” She sniffed and wiped a few tears away, “No.”
 
These people are filling up their homes, their sanctuaries, with things they think they need, will use, or can’t part with.
 
I’m not a hoarder. I throw everything away. My poor kids will have no tangible childhood memories. (Sadly, I’m not feelin’ real guilty here.)
But…
 
It made me think of little things we keep in our “sanctuaries” that we think we need or can’t part with. “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” 
1 Corinthians 6:19

In 1 Samuel Chapter 15, Saul spares King Agag’s life after being specifically instructed to “utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” (verse 3)

In verse 9 Saul kept everything that he thought was best and got rid of what he considered worthless. It cost him his kingdom.

I know in my life, there have been times God has asked me to clean house. I got rid of some things, but hoarded others. Like Saul.  And I’ve paid a price.

Matthew 12:43-45
 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”

 
 

Cleaning out the mess that doesn’t belong isn’t enough. If left empty, it will just pile up again…more so. Just like the woman in the hoarding show.

I like the feeling of a clean house. But, I don’t like it empty. I want it filled with good things. My family, friends, and even my annoying dog. I want to burn my apple cinnamon candle, turn satellite radio on low and listen to the laughter of a happy home. Put in order. And productive.

I want my inside the same the way. Filled with my family-God the Father, His Son the Bridegroom, and the Holy Sprit my Friend and Teacher. I want the warm glow from His light to shine softly, while His fragrance fills every chamber of my heart…drawing others to come in and cozy up. I want my inside to be a joyful, happy place. Put in order. And productive.

What do you want your inside home to look like?

Passion or Obsession: Guest Blog with Debbie Cerise

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 
 
 

Today, one of my best friend’s mom will be sharing a devotion. Debbie sends out encouraging devotions to almost 100 people weekly/bi-weeklythrough email. I loved the one she did this week and asked if she would share it here in my corner of cyberspace! Welcome Debbie!

 

Good morning, I was listening to the Christian radio station the other day, (KLOVE) and they were interviewing a woman who wrote a book titled, “Made to Crave.” Her name is Lysa Terkeurst.  

As she spoke about her book she really peaked my interest. She explained that she had a problem with food, more specifically, controlling the amounts of food she ate. Now before I lose you because you may not have any problem pushing

 away from the table, you may have a problem pushing away from something else.

I am always drawn to books, stories,  and shows about health and fitness. I really love it. Now most of you have never seen me in person, but I don’t look like a person who is obsessed with this subject.

 

I am not obsessed, I am passionate about it, and I do like to share my passion with others. But just because someone reads and studies a subject doesn’t always mean they carry out what they learn.

I think the Lord revealed that to me by comparing what I also read and learn from His word. I don’t alway carry that out either. But one of the things that drew me in was  she acknowledged the fact that she knew from scripture…

We are made to crave.

The dictionary’s definition of the word crave is, “to yearn for, to want greatly, to have a strong inward desire.” So is God trying to play a trick on us? He made us to crave and when we do, we end up in trouble.

Now you know God is not like that right?

Let’s take a look at  the scripture that she quoted. “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”

He placed a deep need and desire in our hearts for Him. The problem is that we fill that hole with other things, drugs, alcohol, food, sex, whatever.  We’ve talked about this before, but I thought it might be a good time to do it again because people usually try to make changes in their lives around this time of year.

What do you crave?

What physical desire are you trying to meet outside of the will of God? What material desires are you trying to meet outside of His will?

The last thing she brings to our attention , do we try to get our needs for significance met outside the will of God? I know, she really asks hard questions. It is worth thinking about.

 
The Bible is clear, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world”. 1 John 2:15-16.
 
In the first scripture we are told it is right to yearn and want greatly a relationship with God. But it is not right to yearn and want greatly the things this world has to offer. Now you know what I am talking about when I say the world. All the things that look great on the outside but can lead to destruction.
 
An intimate relationship with someone outside of your marriage– seems harmless but ends in disaster. Taking some pills to help get you through, next thing you know you can’t get through the day without them. You get the picture.
 
Again, I enjoyed reading this book because it’s a subject that I am passionate about. But even that can get out of control. If I spend more time reading and studying about health and fitness and thinking about it more than the Lord, that is when I have crossed a line.
 
Even something good can be bad if you cross the line.
 

This year let’s all crave a relationship with Lord. Put Him first in your life, and see what happens. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these other things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33.

In other words, let us stop trying to fill our own needs and desires. Focus on God and let Him fill you up. What do you think?

Debbie Cerise
About Debbie
Just a bit about myself. I have been married for 37 years to my first love and really only love.  I met my husband in the 5th grade and just thought he was so awesome. I have never loved anyone but him in my life. We married 2 years after I graduated high school, and he joined the Navy. We  later had 3 incredible children and 7 even more incredible grandchildren, one of them lives with Jesus. They call me “Mia”. I love being with family. We have so much fun together now that they are grown and have a little “clue” about life. They have truly become my best friends. I work for my youngest brother who is actually 19 yrs. younger than I am. He could have been my son. My mom was pregnant as I was planning my wedding. His business is Kidcam Summer Camp and I help him manage 18 summer camps from his corporate office.  I enjoy teaching bible studies in my home and have a passion to help families who are affected by drugs and alcohol.I am so privileged to say that my entire family knows and loves the Lord. That is the biggest blessing since my husband and I didn’t grow up in a Christian home. Such is my life!
 
 

Snow Day: It’s Every Day

Posted on by Jessica R. Patch
 

“Snow Day!” Myles is thrilled to stay home. Bailey grunts, “Just one more day we’ll have to make up later.” She’s so positive.

As I pour my first cup of coffee, the best cup of the day, Myles begs me to go out and play. Bailey’s too proud to beg. I can hear the song lyrics in my head as I glance at her and pour the last of the peppermint mocha creamer into my mug.

“I don’t care.” I have no intentions of going out. I silently hope they won’t ask me to go with them. I’m certainly not offering myself up on the altar of frozen toes and fingers. I’ll be quite happy looking out the window, drinking my coffee, staying warm from the fire. No sireee, I am not an outdoors woman.

I sigh in relief because they don’t care if I come. They know by now it’s not my thing, although as they run off to gear up for the rare southern snowfall, I hear Bailey say, “Can’t wait till Daddy comes home.” Daddy likes snow. Mostly, Daddy likes pelting his children with hardpacked snowballs and watching them drop like flies. I enjoy watching from the window as they scream for him to stop.

A new cup of coffee later, the kids come barreling out of their rooms, layered up for the endless snowplay. “Mom, Bailey says not to eat yellow snow. What’s yellow snow?”
“When animals pee on the snow.”
“Eeew,” he smacks Bailey’s arm (as if she can feel it) and frowns, “Why would I do that?”
She laughs and opens the door. The gust of icy wind reminds why I’m not going out with them. “Have fun,” I call as they take off, Myles slips immediately on the patio but jumps up, “I’m okay!”

 

By my third cup of coffee, I hear the backdoor open and I’m all ready to yell at them, “Look, in or out. I’m not having you drip all over the floors and freeze the house out.” I walk into the living room and see Myles on the couch with a bowl of Cheetos and Bailey picking up wet clothes.

“What’s going on?”

Myles looks at me and sticks his feet out, “I got frostbite.”

“You haven’t been out long enough for frostbite.”

He shrugs, “Have you been out there?” I get his point. How would I know? I hide my grin and ignore his smart aleck remark, because it’s just Myles. He isn’t being rude or defiant.

“Bailey, are you going back out?”

 
 

“Maybe later.” I know what that means.

I know that’s a no.  I reheat my cup of coffee, come back into my room and sit down at my desk to finish the last page of a Bible study and it hits me.

We, as Christians are a lot like my family on a Snow Day. We spend a lot of time talking about playing in the snow. I like the idea of it, but I’m not willing to even try. I enjoy the comforts of my own four walls. My kids go, but don’t stay out long enough to build anything. They spent more time gearing up than going out.

The world around us is forever like winter. Cold. Bitter. Icy enough for us to get bitten, but we must venture out and DO something. The four walls of our churches are too comfortable. We talk about going out. We gear up to go– through the preaching, programs, and plans. Some spend all their time gearing up and never going. Some stay inside without ever venturing out and knowing they never will. Some go out but don’t stay long–never laying foundations, building relationships with people who need Jesus or suffering the frigid temperatures to get it done. It doesn’t feel like fun. It’s just too uncomfortable.

Only a few go out and stay out long enough to no longer feel their flesh or their noses run. They work hard. They build. They smile as they do it. They inspire. When they come inside, accomplishment glows from their rosy cheeks and cracked lips. Something wonderful has happened! It’s time to come in, get warm, get a bite to eat and a drink then go right back out.
 
 
 
 
 
My kids never made it back out. They talked about it throughout the day. “Maybe tomorrow.” The sun came out. And it melted the snow away, right along with their opportunity.
 
Don’t let your opportunities melt away.
 
So, what’d you do on your Snow Day?