The Unlikely

Judges 4-5; Psalm 39, 41; 1 Corinthians 13

Judges 4:9

“Very well,” Deborah said, “I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this,^[b] the honor will not be yours, for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.”

Barak was a warrior. God had called him to kill Sisera and his men because of the evil that Jabin was doing. Deborah was a prophetess and judge, she was leading Israel at that time and she specifically told Barak that he was to lead the army to conquer Sisera. Barak trusted God but he trusted man more. He may have doubted Deborahs prophecy and wanted her there with him in case it didn't come to pass. But since Deborah heard the voice of God, she didn't doubt and prophesied again.

There are times when I trust man more than God. And its not because i don't think God isn't powerful enough, i think maybe its because I still doubt which voice I'm listening to. I may doubt how i hear the voice of the Lord. I want to be like Deborah and know for a fact that its Gods voice and just run with it. I want to be 100% sure. I want God to use me to conquer lands and not have to use another means.

v.21

But Jael, Heber’s wife, picked up a tent peg and a hammer and went quietly to him while he lay fast asleep, exhausted. She drove the peg through his temple into the ground, and he died.

When God told Deborah that Sisera would be caught in the hands of a woman, He didn't only mean Deborah. God can use anyone, and He used the unlikely. At that time women were not warriors, or soldiers. Women stayed at home and cooked, took care of the children, the home. And Jael was doing what she was supposed to. She was tending her tent minding her own business, but God set her up for success. A weak man, cold, thirsty, scared entered and she took her chance and killed him.

As women it would be hard to go up against a man who is a trained soldier, someone who knows how to fight. But when a man is at his weakest moment and oblivious to a woman's motherly charm is the deadliest time for them. A woman can do just about anything when a man is completely down. God uses the unlikely to do His will.

Lord,

Use me. See me. Choose me. I am here with you always and forever, I want to be used by you. I want to conquer lands. I want to go up against evil and fight for my right to worship you and love you and have freedom in you. I want to be strong for the weak, I want to rise for the fallen, I want to walk for the lame, I want to stand for the dead, I want to yell for the mute, I want to hear for the deaf, I want to prophecy for the blind. Lord use ME.

I forever love you always

Amen

Rhema

Rhema:

Psalm 57
¹ Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

² I cry out to God Most High,
to God, who vindicates me.
³ He sends from heaven and saves me,
rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^c]">[c]
God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.

⁴ I am in the midst of lions;
I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts—
men whose teeth are spears and arrows,
whose tongues are sharp swords.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

⁶ They spread a net for my feet—
I was bowed down in distress.
They dug a pit in my path—
but they have fallen into it themselves.

⁷ My heart, O God, is steadfast,
my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth.

Lord,
Thank you for your loving kindness upon my life. You gave me my ah-ha moment today and I never want to forget it. I want to remember the day you told me "How.Dare.You"
I forever love you always
Amen

It's time for Change

Josh 15-17; 1 Cor 8

1 Corinthians 8:9-10, 13
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
We, as people, have many rights. Paul tells us that "everything is permissible" which means we can do whatever we want. Did you read that..WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT. It sounds great, right? Being able to eat anything, say anything, watch anything, do anything...sounds like utopia. But, the biggest kicker here is not actually being selfish...but being selfless. Now imagine a world where everyone thinks about...OTHERS. Imagine a world where people look at others weaknesses and not do what they actually want to do, so they can help their friend. Imagine someone not going to a bar because their friend is a struggling alcoholic. Imagine someone purposefully not watching a rated R movie because their friend struggles with porn. Imagine.

¹⁰ For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
Everyone has a weakness. Everyone has a limit to their temptation. We all have a breaking point. I believe as people of God, if we are trying to show the world the love of Christ than we need to think about them before ourselves. Even though I love God, I can still go out for a drink. But, what if a new christian sees me at the bar? That can lead them to think its ok to drink and get drunk than go to church on the weekend, most likely hungover. If there are things that I can handle and maybe others can't, then i have to be in the right place. If i want to have a drink with family, than instead of going to the bar, i'm gonna do it at home with them. I may know more about God and even about myself, but not everyone else does.

13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
I can't be selfish. I can't just think of myself anymore. Its not all about me anymore. It's about others now..about their wellness and about me helping them get into heaven. I want to be selfish, i want to be egotistical, i want to only think of myself. I have been selfish, I have been egotistical, I have only thought of myself. But now that I see, now that God shows me its actually different being His child...it's time for change.

Lord,
You are constantly teaching me and showing me different aspects of you. Thank you for your loving kindness and hope for a better future. Thank you for guiding on the right path and knowing what i need. I trust in your timing and greater will for my life.
I forever love you always
Amen

I don't think so!

Joshua 9-11; 1 Cor 6

1 Corinthians 6:12
“Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything.

Just because Paul says "Everything is permissible" to God doesn't mean that we should test the waters. There are times in a Christians life where they have to come face to face with their greatest weakness. This thing/sin has haunted them for years...something that they thought they gave it over to God. They havent seen this thing/sin for a really long time. They felt strong. secure that they were set free from this. Than when they go through their desert time, this thing/sin shows up. And it creeps up little by little. The Christian laughs old feelings off thinking its nothing, than BAM! the enemy pounces on them...what do you do? Do you give in or do you stand and fight?

If you decide to give up: When you give up you're allowing the enemy to win. You are telling him to just take over from here. Lets say you fall...again and again...if you give up you won't do anything after you fall. You won't feel anything, you'll be numb to the sin. You've become a slave to your weakness to allow it to be part of you.

If you decide to fight: When you decide to fight you still feel something. You don't just feel guilty if you've fallen but you also feel bad, angry, hurt. Your emotions are still intact and you get up again. You rise from the dust, brush it off, and instead of the enemy getting in your face...you get in the enemys face and you begin to taunt him.

Sin is a b*tch.

Don't let that thing/sin rule over you. Don't wake up the next day and feel guilty and depressed but get up worshipping God and thanking Him for another day and allowing you to ask for forgiveness. You are not a slave to sin. I am not a slave to sin. And i refuse for sin to crawl into me like a snake trying to get warm. Hell to the NO!

Lord, I am not perfect, i have allowed to let sin to take me over too many times. I want my life, thoughts, body, spirit, soul to be all in your hands. Forgive me God for thinking that I was in control and could do things all for myself. You are my all. I forever love you always Amen

40 years for Rahab

Josh 3-6; 1 Cor 4

Joshua 6:25
But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho—and she lives among the Israelites to this day.

When Joshua and Caleb and the rest of the men went to spy on Jericho, Rahab, a prostitute helped them sneak in and out. This was a woman who obviously didn't follow Gods law. She probably worshipped other gods. She was a woman who was selfish in her ways. She would sleep with men for money, married or single. She was an abomination to her people and her family. That's how those people saw her.
This is how i see her: She was desperate for something in her life to change. She didn't know what to do or who to ask. I think she wanted a better life for herself and family and something in the midst of it all went wrong for her. So she had to become a prostitute to make some fast cash.
And God being all-knowing and all-seeing heard the cries of her heart. God saw her for who she really was and wanted to give her a new life, than opened the door.

Rahab didn't have to help Joshua and Caleb. She didn't have to open the doors to her home, she could have easily got them killed. And God could have used someone else, but i don't think there was anyone more hungry, more desperate, more wanting of a change, or a touch from God than Rahab. She waited 40 years till the words of Joshua and Caleb came true. They told her and she waited. I don't know what she did during those 4o years. I don't know if she remained a prostitute. I don't know if she studied God and who He really was. All I know is that Gods word stayed true to the end...she was saved.
Joshua and Caleb didn't judge her, they didn't care that she was a prostitute. They wanted to spy out the land and do what God had sent them to do.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

When God gives us something to do and there are people around to help, don't judge their sin. God puts us in certain places at certain times with certain people for a reason. Joshua and Caleb didn't have time or the patience to sit and ask Rahabs background or to tell her that shes wrong and she needs God. They didn't need to explain the 10 commandments to her to make sure she knows God. They needed her help to do the will of God and she was willing.
God wants willing people, not perfect people. We are all sinners...I am a sinner. I can't hear the voice of God and expect the people around me to be perfect. If I am to walk in the will of God, than I will need help. Will that help always be Godly? Probably not. Is that OK? Yes.
I will know people in my life that are gay, prostitutes, drug addicts, murderers, thieves and will they help me do the will of God? If they are willing...they will be used by Him.

Lord, Rahab was a woman that was willing. I want to be willing. I want to be used by You. I want to see you and help those that want to get closer to you. Use me in your will. Let my words, breath, life be for your glory. Put unsuspecting people in my path that i may be a vessel for your glory and will. I forever love you always Amen

Next Besst Thing

Deut 22-24; Gal 4

Galatians 4:28-31

Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise. ²⁹ At that time the son born according to the flesh persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. ³⁰ But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^f]">[f] ³¹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

The Galatians were people that were easily swayed. They wanted the best new thing. When Paul was there with them, they accepted him and what he had to say. Once he left they were swayed by another doctrine.

I wonder how many times the Galatians raised there hands to accept the next offer. I wonder if its the same amount of times that we change our mind here. I have changed my mind in so many things: styles, hair color, clothes, shoes, makeup, men, food, etc. If things are constantly changing than why wouldn't people change their minds about God. I know that I have doubted God and even thought that a worldly life would be easier than following Christ. So why wouldn't others want to try the next best thing?

People will always want to try something new, they will always want to try a new restaurant, a new pair of shoes, even a new car. But the difference in people is that 1) the children of the slave will always be slaves..to the world. Hagar had Ishmael and she remained shunned and her son was not that of the promise. So that type of person will always be looking for their new master. Always a slave. And then theres 2) children of the promise. These people will see new things, discover new things, try new things but will always have that foundation of Christ with them. We are not looking for a new master because we are secure in Christ and free in Him and not trying the next best thing to rule our lives...but to add on to what Christ has already given us.

Lord,

Thank you for making me Your child. In all that i do, good or bad, i know where my foundation is. You are my strength and my rock. It is because of You that I am free from sin and condemnation. I am Your child, grounded in Your Word,.

I forever love you always

Amen

The law

Deut 16-18; Ps 38; Gal 2

Galatians 2:19-21
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹ I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

The law was hard core. Sometimes we think that the Old Testament people had a hard time because there was no "grace". But Gods grace in the OT was the law. His rules for His people was for us to live a good life, to live a righteous life. God never intended for others to persecute one another for their sin. God never intended for people to break the law either. He wanted His people to obey the law to live the best life. He wanted His people to be blessed and flourish, but the problem is that sin separates us from living that great life.

I am no longer the property of the enemy. Jesus paid a price for my sin. He allowed His people to live with grace. His death provided mercy for our sin to be erased and to live a new life. We are new people, new thoughts, new feelings, new vision, new everything. With Christ, I am free. With Christ, I can actually live in abundance. I can be tempted than run back to God and He can help me. He can be with me, He can love me.

Father, Thank you for your love. I can only live with you and be happy with you. You are my everything. I forever love you always Amen

Just enough

Deut 7-9; Mark 15

Deuteronomy 8:4 Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.
Moses was speaking to the Israelites. He was reminding them of the faithfulness and love of God. Even when they forgot about God, He never forgot about them. When the Israelites complained, God kept loving them. When they worshipped other gods, God was still around. When they yelled, kicked, screamed for something else, something different, for more...God was still around loving them.

God never makes us go through something we can't handle, no matter how hard we may think it is. The Israelites walked about for forty years. I get new shoes after 40 days! But God made sure they were comfortable...enough. When God has plans for each of our lives, He makes sure we are comfortable...enough. Some people become millionaires, others can barely eat every day. I don't know why some are chosen and others are not, but I know that God wouldn't allow something we can't handle. Even if the worst is happening to us and around us...He believes that we are strong enough to get through it.

God made sure that the clothes and shoes of the Israelites were still intact. He made sure that they were fed, clothed, loved. God wants to do the same for me. Whatever I am going through, no matter how hard, He makes sure I am comfortable....enough, to get through that day. I may not eat the best food, where the best clothes, smell the best, look the best...but its enough to get through tomorrow. Because tomorrow can lead to something different, a surprise, anything that can change my life forever. And I wait. I wait on God..wait on His promises for my life, wait on tomorrow with...just enough.

Lord, Thank you for showing me that even if my outside isn't the best, you have the best for me on the inside. Your love keeps me going day to day and i can see you and feel you. Even on my darkest days I put my trust in you. There are times when I don't seek you but you strengthen me without even asking or even sometimes wanting. Lord, don't allow me to sulk in pity because I know you made me stronger than that and I choose to find you, to love you, to know you and to need you. I forever love you always Amen