Journeys.

Exodus 40:38b
"This continued throughout all their journeys."
{NLT}

This is the last thing said in the book of Exodus. The very last thing.
God takes the Israelites out of Egypt and is leading them on to the promised land.
It talks about how the Lord showed the Israelites where to go through signs in the sky {clouds, fire}.
All day and all night God led them.

And I believe that God does the same for us still today,
{although it may not be in as obvious of ways as huge clouds and fire in the sky directing us where to go}.
Lately I've felt so much love and direction from God
and I'm so happy to know that God is with me throughout all of my journeys.
But it's hard to remember that this also means that I need to respond when I know what God wants me to do.
I need to follow the path he lays ahead of me, even when I doubt that it is the right choice
{as the Israelites doubted God's plan after spending years wandering in the desert}.
It's hard to trust that things will all work out just right when you can't see exactly where you're heading.

I pray that we can all recognize and follow God's plan for us and take comfort in the fact that he is beside us through everything.
And will remain with us forever.


{Through The Bible In One Year Update: 1 Samuel 8}

Praise: Thankful for a loving brother & father that have been with me through life's journeys.

Prayer: That I may continue to see God's path for me and continue to spend time in his word.

Unrestrained Joy

I'm not trying to copy Dewey's idea for today, but my devotions this morning were along a similar path :) So, I am going to piggy back off of her ideas!

I am also reading in Matthew right now and read this verse this morning:

"Staying with it - that's what God requires. Stay with it to the end. You won't be sorry, and you'll be saved..."

Matthew 24 (MSG)

Although the context of this verse is talking about the end of the world, I still feel like it is something that we can be encouraged by. We never know when our last days might be, so we need to be living our lives in such a way that we are always doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord. I have a devotional book that I read every day and there was a line that really stuck out to me and has been going round and round in my head all day since I read it.

"Simply obey God with unrestrained joy."

It's simple. It's to the point. It's what God calls us to do. There are times that obeying God can seem like such a scary thing, but why should we be scared? (Don't worry I am preaching to myself right now!) The Bible doesn't say that following Jesus will always be easy, but God does promise us eternal life with him. And when God tells us to do something, we should do it.

My hope and prayer is that I will be able to:

Simply obey with unrestrained joy when God calls me to leave my friends and family behind to go and serve him.

Simply obey with unrestrained joy even when I am tired because of all the curve balls that life seems to throw at me.

Simply obey with unrestrained joy when the unexpected happens.

And to just always have a "kingdom mindset" where I can truly realize that things of this world are passing away (dcTalk anyone?) and remember that there is life beyond my wildest dreams in heaven with my Savior!

abandoning doubt...

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for the disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward in full! But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your father who is unseen;
and your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."
[Matthew 6:16-18]

This is how life works sometimes:

You feel God calling you to do something
You start to do it
You have to deal with the people of the Everyday asking for an explanation.


I look back to when I fasted, for just a day, earlier this summer. I told a friend that I was going to do it, and he questioned--no, he drilled me, about how stupid that was. Trying to defend myself tired me out!!!!

And now here I am, on a new mission of faith...I took the first step, and I am being TRAMPLED by people asking how I could possibly take such a huge risk. I've been saying, "I just want to." They try to give me advise, and change my mind.

I'm getting tired already, and filled with doubt.

But that's stupid! If I had been fasting and someone said, "This is stupid, have a cookie." Would I take the cookie or would I wash my face and sit quietly with God?


My joy is restored!

Woah, now, God.

This story is called "At a Campfire"

Mike
Do you still work at Lowe's?

Me
Yup.

Mike
Do you still hate it?

Me
Yup.

Mike
So you're in the same place as you've been for a while.

Me
Yup.

Mike
So maybe it's time to quit your job?

Me
Yeah. Maybe. I don't know! I just don't trust God! Just kidding.

Mike
I don't think you are kidding.

Me
(turning to God instead of Mike Bythefire)

So I prayed even harder, "God, if I need to change my life or quit my job, just me know." And I kept saying "God, let me know."
And I kept pretending that I didn't know.

I'm embarrassed to be nervous. I KNOW that God provides for me. I know he does. Yet, I still feel the anxiety of change. I'm afraid to make any single thing different. I feel God pushing me to change,
so

Jeremiah 29:11 it is.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and A FUTURE!