Tag: Hebrews

Our Refuge is God Alone

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If you are feeling overwhelmed by your current circumstances or even afraid of what may lie ahead, take solace that God is in control.

He is on top of what seems out of control in your life or around you.

Whether it’s finances, family issues, loss of a job, health concerns, addictions, or any other adversity—you can count on God to help you and bring you out of the hardship for the better.

The Bible tells us that God is with us and guiding us through each difficult situation we encounter.

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8  

One of the many blessings I have received from reading God’s word is that I have learned about many keepers of the faith who were able to overcome dire circumstances because God loved them and provided the answer, the way out, and the peace to keep moving along with Him.  

When I walked through difficult situations in the past, my mind would immediately go to heroes such as Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Esther, David, and Daniel, just to name a few. I recalled how faithful God was to them, and I believed that He would do the same for me.

Why did I believe this? Because His word tells us that He does not show favoritism, but rewards those who follow Him and gives them peace (Romans 2:9-11).

It is our faith in God that allows us to see His supernatural power at work.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

He majestically guides, protects, and transforms us while changing our situations. He helps us overcome our adversary because He loves us and created us for His purposes.

God called Abraham to leave his home and follow Him to a better place to live that he knew nothing about nor how to get there. As God instructed him every step of the way, He encouraged him with promises for a good future for him and his descendants. Abraham, although not perfect, believed God even when he could not see how He would work it all out. God was pleased with Abraham’s faith and considered him righteous and called him a friend (James 2:23). Abraham lived many years and received all the promises God made to him in his lifetime and beyond—and it is because of Abraham’s faith that we are blessed today (Genesis 11–25).

Joseph was hated by his older siblings who sold him into slavery and was taken to a foreign land where while continuing to be obedient to God through difficult circumstances, he was thrown in prison. But God was with him even in prison and orchestrated his release and swift promotion to governor of Egypt, second in power only to Pharoah. Even though Joseph suffered greatly from his own family and fellow Egyptian citizens, God had a divine purpose for him—to save his family and the future nation of Israel (Genesis 37–50).

Moses was transformed from a shepherd in the desert to a great leader who led Israel out of slavery in Egypt, through the wilderness, and up to the Promised Land. He led hundreds of thousands for approximately 40 years, many of whom complained, rebelled, and threatened to kill him. Moses had the responsibility to protect, feed, find water, teach, judge, build a mobile sanctuary, discipline, train for war, intercede for, and forgive the entire way. For a mortal man this would be impossible, but God was there with Moses, guiding him and performing miracles for and through him (Exodus–Deuteronomy).

Joshua took over when Moses died and was responsible for leading Israel, numbered in the millions, across the Jordan River into the Promised Land inhabited by Canaanites. Joshua had to trust God that he could not only lead this great nation, but that he could also defeat the Canaanites as instructed by God to gain possession of the land. He had to trust God for his very life and for the livelihood of his people (Joshua 1-24).

Esther was a young Jewish woman taken from her home to compete against many other beautiful women for wife of King Ahasuerus in Persia. Her beauty and intelligence won the favor of the king, and she became Queen of Persia. She had to learn a new language and culture, and with this new role, she had to learn and execute the court life of royalty. When the Jews were threatened to be killed by an evil senior nobleman of the court, Esther had to lay her life on the line by going into the king unannounced. She called for a fast and prayer within her Jewish family and community to win the favor of the king as she went in for a special request. She could have been killed if the king wished by her unannounced appearance. The king granted her entry and request for a special dinner where she planned to expose the evil nobleman intent on annihilating her and her fellow Israelites. God was with her in this all the way and gave her the wisdom and favor she needed to succeed in order to save the Jewish nation (Esther 1-10).

The God of yesterday is the same God as today and tomorrow. (Hebrews 13:8)

I can also attest to God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Because I trusted in Him, he took me from uncertain days and nights wondering whether I would be able to overcome trials to leaving all my concerns to Him in prayer.

Also, I realized that I had to be content with having JUST my Savior Jesus by my side. I had to place Him first in my life.

And how could I not? He loved me so much that He gave His life as a ransom for me.

I was not perfect along the way, but I trusted God and I set my life goal to seek after Him. I no longer put my faith in people or circumstances. I dove into His word and believed Him for a victorious life.

I made myself available to serve Him in the doors of ministry that He opened for me, and I found purpose in helping others instead of being focused on myself and my troubles.

God in His faithfulness heard my prayers and brought me gradually to a life filled with many blessings—some I asked for over the years, and others I never even dreamed of.

God is faithful!

I would like to share another Scripture verse I learned that helped transform me from being unsure about my future to knowing that God was with me, helping me every step of the way despite difficult circumstances.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
    From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
    he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;
    the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;
    he will keep your life.
The Lord will keep
    your going out and your coming in
    from this time forth and forevermore.  Psalm 121

There is nothing our heavenly Father would not do to help His children overcome adverse situations and reach His purpose for their lives.

Following the ways of this world will not bring peace, joy, and fulfillment. Only God can.

If you are experiencing difficulties and don’t know what to do or can’t see your way through, I urge you to trust in God, surrender your life to Him (if you haven’t already), and seek after Him. You will be astounded by His perfect love, and you will find His will for your life.

May you be blessed as you listen to this song about how great and powerful God is.

If you want to have a relationship with God and are not sure how or where to start, see my previous posts Relationship with God and Relationship with God – Part 2.

Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 6

On By Carmen3 Comments

In my previous post, Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 5, we learn about some of Jacob’s sorrows after moving to Shechem.

One of these tragedies was the loss of Rachel, the love of his life. She died giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin.

Jacob loved his children by Rachel as he was older when they were born. If you remember from a previous post, Joseph was the oldest child of Rachel—and he was Jacob’s favorite.

Joseph was hated by his jealous half-brothers because of this. When Joseph was in his teens, Jacob gave him a beautiful robe of many colors which only caused more jealousy. He would often send Joseph out to check on his older brothers when they were working in the field tending to the livestock. One day, Joseph gave his father a bad report about them making their relationship even worse.     

Joseph was a special child to whom God gave the gift of interpreting dreams. One day Joseph told his brothers about one of his dreams in which their sheaves bowed down to his. The dream was prophetically true, but his brothers did not receive it well; they understood that it meant they would bow down to him and he would reign over them.  

It is true that God gives to each of us special talents and gifts, but it’s probably best to not share them with others if it’s going to insult people and make them jealous.

Joseph was around seventeen years of age and had some learning to do.   

Once again, Jacob sent Joseph out into the field to check on his brothers, but this time they decided to get rid of him and sold him to an Ishmaelite caravan that was passing by. They, in turn, sold him into slavery to the Egyptians.

His brothers told their father that he was killed by a wild animal and showed him his robe of many colors ripped and covered in blood.

Just imagine Jacob’s response when he heard this.

And they sent the robe of many colors and brought it to their father and said, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son’s robe or not.” And he identified it and said, “It is my son’s robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted and said, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus his father wept for him.

Genesis 37:32-35

Jacob “the deceiver” was deceived by his own sons.

Some years later, there was famine in all the land except for Egypt where they had prepared for the famine by storing up grain seven years prior under Joseph’s command.

Yes, Joseph—Jacob’s beloved son, sold to the Ishmaelites by his brothers some twenty years prior.

Joseph had severe trials while in Egypt, but God was with him, and in time placed him second in command under Pharaoh. Joseph took care of all Pharaoh’s business in Egypt and was responsible for the abundance of grain in Egypt’s storehouses.

When the famine began, the Egyptians purchased grain from Joseph, and then other countries began traveling to Egypt to purchase grain to survive.

When Jacob found out that Egypt had grain for sale, he sent ten of his sons down to Egypt to purchase from them, and his brothers had to purchase from no other but Joseph.

When they met him, they bowed down to him, just as he had dreamed so many years ago.

When God gives us a vision for His purpose, He is faithful to carry it through.

Although they didn’t recognize him, he certainly recognized them, the very ones who sold him into slavery.

He did not let them know who he was and accused them of being spies. They denied being spies and told him that they came from Canaan where their father still lived with their youngest brother.  

Joseph tested his brothers by insisting they were spies and kept Simeon while he sent them away with their grain to bring Benjamin back to prove their story.

They became fearful and while talking among themselves admitted their wrong so many years ago in selling Joseph to the Ishmaelites. They understood that their sin had finally caught up to them.

When we sin, we can be sure that there will be consequences—sometimes immediately, other times it may take years.

The good news is that if we admit our sin and repent, God is faithful to forgive us and He will help us through the consequences.  

When they returned to Canaan and told their father all that had transpired, Jacob was very angry with them for mentioning Benjamin—and he was heartbroken. He was not about to allow Benjamin to go down to Egypt with them, especially being bereaved of Joseph for so many years.  

After some time, they were running out of grain again and Jacob had to allow Benjamin to go to Egypt with them, so Judah took responsibility for bringing Benjamin back to him.

When they returned to Egypt, they were invited to eat with Joseph in his house. They were afraid, but the steward of Joseph’s house put them at ease and brought Simeon out to them.

When Joseph returned home, they came to him and bowed down to him again. Joseph recognized Benjamin and inquired of their father. They told Joseph that their father Jacob was alive and well.

Then Joseph saw Benjamin and asked if he was their youngest brother, and immediately became so emotional that he had to leave the room to find a place to cry. Once he regained composure, he returned and commanded the food be served.

Joseph sat separately from his brothers because it was forbidden for Egyptians to eat with Hebrews. In fact, it was considered an abomination to the Egyptians. 

At their table, they were seated in order of birth, youngest to oldest, and they were amazed at this. In addition, Benjamin, Joseph’s brother by his mother Rachel, was given more food than the others.

Portions were taken to them from Joseph’s table, but Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they drank and were merry with him.

Genesis 43:34

I would have liked to have known what was going on in their minds when this was happening—their reaction to their table setting in birth order, Benjamin being given more food than them, and still, they had no idea who Joseph really was.  

Soon it was time for them to return to Canaan and they all started back with their grain. Joseph tested them once more by placing a silver cup in Benjamin’s sack. Then, he pursued them after they departed and accused them of stealing the silver cup. It was found in Benjamin’s bag, and Judah pleaded with Joseph to hear him out.

Judah tells him about how his father is already broken due to the loss of Benjamin’s brother, and now if he doesn’t return with Benjamin to Canaan, it will be the end of his father.  

Joseph becomes emotional and finally tells his brothers that he is the brother they sold into slavery.

The brothers are in disbelief!

I imagine Joseph saw the fear in their eyes and told them that although they meant to do him harm by their actions twenty years prior, God meant it all for good. And this good was for stored up for that particular day when Joseph could help them in a time of severe hardship.

What an amazing person to forgive such affliction. Joseph had a committed relationship to God and was willing to be used for His purposes no matter how it affected him. He was humbled in his trials in Egypt, and because he remained obedient to God, he was lifted up to a high place of power. In essence, God could trust him to do the right thing.

He tells them that the famine will continue for another five years and he has made provisions for them to travel back to Canaan to bring their father back to Egypt, that they would not succumb to poverty and he would give them all they needed to live in Egypt.

Throughout all the hardship that Jacob and Joseph endured, God had a plan. It was to preserve and strengthen Israel, to allow Israel to grow in number, and to give Israel only the best.

They could not have known all this at the time of their suffering, but God knew. He was behind the scenes working everything for the good of his chosen people. (Romans 8:28) 

We serve an amazing God!

Join me next week for the rest of Jacob’s story in Israel—Chosen by God: Jacob – Part 7.

Below is a song about how God takes care of us through trials that serve to build faith in us.

May it bless you while you walk with God.

“Good to Me” – Rhett Walker

Trusting God

On By Carmen1 Comment

What do you do when you feel deep inside that a life storm is on the horizon? You’ve seen the warning signs and you know that trouble is around the corner. You just don’t know if the trouble will directly affect you. I’m not writing about a person who has a habit of worrying, rather someone who has committed their life to Jesus and has walked with Him; someone who has acknowledged and experienced God’s blessings in their life, but now is in the middle of a storm. Life has been pretty good for a while, and now despite all your efforts a storm is heading in your direction.

This is what is going on in our life and I’ll explain, but first I want to share a scripture verse that can help bring perspective and assuage fear.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 
Isaiah 41:10

God gave us scripture (His word) for many reasons, one of which is to encourage us. His word is true and can be trusted. I know this personally because I have had occasion to deal with storms in the past and I have relied on God’s word to help me through each one. The anxiety could have done me in if I had not redirected my focus and belief to what God says. There were times during bad situations that fear would rise in me; I had to carry a notecard in my pocket with specific scripture to read several times daily. This helped me overcome my distress and although my future was unknown to me, God knew all about it—and He knows now. He also knows all about your situation that is causing you anxiety.

It helps me to really question my faith in times like this. I tell myself if I can believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, then I should be able to believe that He can protect me through a dark storm.

Reread the scripture verse above from Isaiah. He is telling us that He will uphold us, so we should hold on until God changes the situation or takes us through the storm. This means that we don’t give up if we don’t see results quick enough. It means that we trust blindly. A side note, we should also be open to what He tells us to do or gives us to do—even if it is hard or we don’t like it.

I remember many years ago listening to Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas. I had a cassette series of his sermons on faith that I listened to while I jogged around my neighborhood that helped me tremendously. I remember Dr. Evans saying “Life is full of trials; you are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or about to go into one.” There is no way to avoid them, so we must accept this fact and learn to grow in faith in God. Below is one of the scripture verses that I memorized and still use today, thanks to Dr. Evans.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 
Hebrews 6:11

This verse has always meant so much to me. It has helped me understand that I must have faith in God before I see His answer; that I have to hold on to His word; and that He will reward me for my faith. This is one of those verses that I wrote down and put in strategic places that would remind me daily of my part, which helped to relieve my fears. I have good news for you, my friend—God will do His part! I am happy to share that I’ve been there, done that. May this be a blessing to you while you are walking with God through your storm.

If you are a Christ follower and you are seeking God and His will, He will provide for you in good times and difficult times. This provision comes not only in our basic needs like food, shelter, and money to pay the bills; it also comes as messages to us through the Holy Spirit while we’re seeking Him. What I mean is that God will speak to us through the Holy Spirit to keep us on His path and He will provide a word in time of need. For example, recently one Sunday while eating breakfast before I started getting ready for church, I was watching Dr. Charles Stanley on TV. “It just so happened” that Dr. Stanley’s message was about levels of faith—exactly what I needed to hear and be reminded of. God’s timing is perfect!

Our Current Situation:

My husband was informed a few weeks ago that there would be layoffs in the company he works for and has been with for many years. We have seen this coming in the last couple of years due to loss in sales. My husband is a diligent worker who treats his job like it is his own business. There are a few employees that report directly to him and he likes all of them. He is very upset that he may be losing any of them because he knows that they depend on their income to support their family. He is also aware if sales don’t improve he may very well lose his job. He is a few years away from retirement and we still have a mortgage to pay as well as life goals we want to accomplish including goals for a business we want to start when he retires. Meanwhile, I have just determined what God wants me to do after having a previous career in corporate America 30+ years.  I am now starting to write this blog to share with others just how good God is. This means that my husband is the bread winner and sole provider at this time.

We both know that God is our provider and that everything good comes from Him. We have seen Him change our lives for the better when there were storms before. We trusted Him and prayed for His help and guidance. He moved on our behalf which was seamless and better than what we could have asked for. There are so many stories of just how good God is that I want to share as I continue writing.

Remember His Past Faithfulness:

Around twenty years ago, I personally went through a massive round of layoffs with a company I worked nine years for when I was single and needed every penny of what I made. I had little savings and no family nearby. The one thing I did have was my faith in God. I was already seeking after God prior to this scary event in my life and was learning about Him through reading the Bible and listening to men of great faith. Dr. Evans taught me to remember God’s faithfulness in the past just as the shepherd David said to King Saul when he encountered Goliath.

And David said to Saul, “May no one’s heart fail on account of him; your servant will go and fight this Philistine!” But Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight him; for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior since his youth.” But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and took a sheep from the flock, I went out after it and attacked it, and rescued the sheep from its mouth; and when it rose up against me, I grabbed it by its mane and struck it and killed it.  Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The LORD who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, He will save me from the hand of this Philistine.” So Saul said to David, “Go, and may the LORD be with you.”                                 1 Samuel 17:32-37

God is pleased with our outrageous faith in Him! These teachings and truths are what got me through.

Within six months, I was rehired by the same company, but only part-time, which was okay with me as I had started working to build my own business as a wardrobe consultant.

As for now, my husband and I will go through this impending storm in our lives trusting God. This doesn’t mean that we are not concerned, it just means that we have another opportunity to grow our faith in God. It means that we will endeavor to learn from this experience and put it to good use. As a friend of mine used to say when a tough situation would occur, “I can’t wait to see what God is going to do.”

Going through a storm may not be easy, but God is always faithful! We increase our faith by walking with God through hardships so we can be a blessing to others who go through similar situations.

Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone out there today that is going through a storm in their life. Give them the encouragement that they need to follow You and to not fear. Help them to feel Your presence and to follow You in faith so that they too can see Your divine power at work. In Jesus’s mighty name. 

Below are some resources to help you through your walk of faith with God. I have listened to both Dr. Charles Stanley and Dr. Tony Evans for many years and they have always been on point in their teachings from the Bible. I consider them both godly men who have walked the life of faith with God. Even though Dr. Stanley passed into eternity last year and is now resting in God’s glory and peace, his teachings are still available. I have included links below to the messages that have helped me in the past to overcome my fear while walking with God through my life’s storms.

Dr. Charles Stanley – Levels of Faith in the Life of a Believer  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLuK_tSOxBk

Dr. Tony Evans – The Heroes of Faith https://www.ocbfchurch.org/downloads/heroes-full-series/

As always, I have a song to share with you that has been a great comfort and encouragement to me.

“Walk by Faith” – Jeremy Camp