Saturday, February 22, 2020

February 22

In the center of the State of Florida, most will find that the dialect is very southern, and can be hard to understand if your own dialect is of the northern variety. When I moved to the Tampa area more than thirty years ago, people thought I was from Louisiana, or from somewhere in the Deep South.

After the debacle at the base of Mt. Sinai, with the golden calf worship, it seems that Moses began speaking to the Israelites himself, rather than through Aaron. It makes me wonder if after meeting with God on the mountain, Moses got over his fear of speaking, and no longer worried what the Israelites thought. Did Moses truly have a speech problem, or was it merely a dialect difference? He was brought up by the Egyptians, so he may have still been learning the language of Israel.

When God has a job for you, he equips you with the ability to carry it out. If you feel inadequate, just go slowly until you get some momentum, but if the Holy Spirit comes on you with all power, nothing will stop you! When fear sets in, remember Moses; also remember Peter who preached to over 3000, and was just a country boy who liked to fish.

Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. Exodus 34:32

Friday, February 21, 2020

February 21

Every morning at the crack of dawn, I take my dogs to do their business. They go running out the door as if they needed to clear the area of varmints. I never thought much of it until this morning when Rudy began making a racket like he had found something. I go running to see what was going on, and see that he had treed an opossum! My tiny terrier thought he was a big dog, unafraid of that hissing creature. You could say that Rudy was an angel driving out the inhabitants of the land, making it safe for God’s child, me, to settle there. 

God commanded Moses to move the people from Sinai, and promised to clear the land of its inhabitants, but he was still angry about them worshipping other God’s, so he said he wouldn’t go with them because he might consume them. This upset the people, and they mourned. This straightened out their attitude because every morning when Moses went into the Tent of Meetings to meet with God, they would stand at the door of their tent and worship him. One of the names of God is Jealousy, so you can bet when you continue to care about worldly things over God, he will not forget it. Check yourself daily, and make sure you are putting God first in everything you do. Include him in all of your decisions, take him with you wherever you go.

I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” Exodus 33:2-3

And when all the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance of the tent, all the people would rise up and worship, each at his tent door. Exodus 33:10

Thursday, February 20, 2020

February 20

My car was in and out of the shop for a loud vibrating noise. It had sat at the dealership for over two weeks, with the mechanic only driving it home once. Finally, they called to tell me they couldn’t find the problem, and wanted me to take a ride with a specialist so I could point it out. It didn’t make a sound while he was in the car with me. As I sat in the parking lot before leaving, programming directions to my next stop, it started making the noise. I quickly got their attention, and they discovered the problem. Parts were ordered, and hopefully, the repair will take care of the issue. 

Are you dealing with feelings that you can’t seem to find an answer for? Ask yourself these questions: Is there something causing me to have fear? Am I feeling rejected, but not recognizing it? Am I stressing because I feel like God isn’t going to answer my prayer? Is trauma from my past creeping in, and causing me pain? The main causes of heart issues are fear, rejection, unbelief, and trauma. Ask the Holy Spirit to take you for a ride to help you get to the bottom of it, then confess, repent, and pray. Just like finding the problem for my car, you have to get to the root of it before finding a solution.

"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Galatians 5:1

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

February 19

Do you think that God has left us alone on this planet to do as we please without consequences? When the Israelites turned away from him and began to worship the golden calf, he didn’t say, ‘Oh well, they’ll come back to me one day.’ No, three thousand men were killed by the son’s of Levi, then God sent a plague among the people; and that was after Moses prayed for them! Imagine the devastation if Moses hadn’t prayed! God also said that any who sinned, he would blot their names from his book. 

One of the attributes of God is that he is unchanging, so the wrath that he poured out against Israel, because of their sin, should be expected today. These people who spit in the face of God, kill our babies, and proclaim that wrong is right, and right is wrong, will face the consequences of his wrath. You may wish that he sends the sword, and a plague as he did back then, but many among us would fall, never to experience the grace of Jesus. 

Pray hard for your friends and family, and any who are destined for hell; pray that they turn before it’s too late, and that he restrains from his wrath long enough for you to see their salvation.

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.” Exodus 32:10

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

February 18

If you have a dog, you will know too well how they act when you leave, and when you come home. When I leave the house to go somewhere, my dog Rudy will cry, and it breaks my heart. When I come home, he is overwhelmed with so much joy, that he smiles; it’s the funniest thing! Sometimes, if I go outside without him, he thinks I’ve been gone forever, and greets me the same way.

It would have been great if the Israelites had been that way when Moses left to meet the Lord on the mountain to receive the commandments. They felt abandoned, and were so used to their old ways in Egypt, that they longed for an idol to worship. Their only way to hear from the Lord was through Moses, and he wasn’t there. Even after God showed them all the signs, parted the Red Sea, fed them daily, they still didn’t trust in him. 

Hasn’t God shown you enough throughout your life for you to have faith that he is still there and has you covered? Do not forget that he always comes through for you. Have faith that he will do it again, even if your situation looks ominous. Stand strong and resist the temptations of the enemy.

"When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”" Exodus 32:1

Monday, February 17, 2020

February 17

It’s been a lot of years since this country girl moved to the city, but no matter how citified I become, I’m still a country girl at heart. We have a contract on our island property, which is very country for a beach property, and have plans to move to an area full of high rises, which makes me cringe a little, but it’s more convenient to our main home near Tampa. Let me break down the main points so you will understand how God works.

 *Our home that’s under contract is in Placida, which means peace. 
 *We are expecting to move to an area called Clearwater! ðŸ¤”

The symbolism in this is incredible. As I look back, I can see the steps we’ve made, and God’s hand of guidance. What are his plans for us there? The beach is our place of peace and rest, but I’m very aware that we are always on duty in service to God. 

Though we are commanded to take a Sabbath rest, a human in need of Jesus, is like the ox in the pit that he talks about, you don’t leave him there to die, you get him out of it. Whose life are we going to impact by this move? Who are we going to help out of the pit? Only God knows the answer, we just have to follow him wherever he leads us. 

Take a look back on your life, and notice your progression. See if you see any symbolism, or signs that might point to where you are now. God will often give us glimpses into what is to come. See if you recognize the path.

"Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever." Exodus 31:16

"And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?”" Luke 15:5

Sunday, February 16, 2020

February 16

Spending a short time on Little Gasparilla, even if it’s just a few minutes to gather items, is good for the soul. After getting off the boat you must walk down a long boardwalk that leads you into the mangrove covered area; there you will see where the residents have hung, and planted orchids. One particular orchid has a beautiful aroma that wafts through the air, welcoming you to the island. It invites you to linger for a moment and breathe in its delightful scent. 

God created special scents, and instructed Moses to have a perfumer create a blend that was never to be used on common things, and whatever it touched would become holy, and clean. This holy anointing oil can be compared to the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit. Each of us is considered a useful instrument that has been consecrated into service, and because of Jesus, we are a pleasing aroma to God, and are no longer considered common, and ordinary. Think of this when you become down on yourself; you are valued in the kingdom of God.

You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them will become holy. You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. Exodus 30:29-30

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."Ephesians 5:2