Jesus

  • Testing

    “The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first…”
    Job 42:12

    I was going through the Devotional in my book called “TESTING…FOLLOWED BY BLESSING”.  God has set a precedence in his Word that when you have gone through a time of testing successfully it will be followed by a time of blessing.  It’s not just a catchy line I came up with—it’s a principle in scripture!  Whether it takes place here or in heaven—Testing is followed by Blessing!

    There are so many biblical examples of this: Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Esther…the list could go on.  The biggest example of this is in the life of Job.  In Chapter 1 of Job we read the record of God and the devil’s discussion over how good Job is.  God saw Job as faithful.  The devil, literally translated as “the accuser”, thought that Job was only faithful to God because God blessed him so much financially and in his family.  The devil asked if he could test Job in these areas and God agreed.  First the devil killed all of Job’s servants, next all his children and then all his livestock; which was equivalent to financial ruin in that day. After all these losses Job still kept his faith in God.
    The devil went to God again and asked if he could further test Job and God agreed.  The devil gave Job boils all over his body.  Still he remained faithful to God in all of his testing.  It wasn’t like he enjoyed it or was happy throughout it all.  Job is very human in his response, but he never turns his back on God.  Job cursed the day he was born, but still did not curse God. Even when he lost everything and couldn’t see any blessing, he still believed God was good.  What an incredible testimony! 
    At the end of Job we read how God blessed him with MORE than he had in the first part of his life.  He ended up with twice of all that he owned before, a VERY wealthy man.  God blessed Job again with 7 more sons and 3 more daughters, giving him a long life to see even his great-great-grandchildren live!  Testing is followed by…

    word bles sing!

    Prayer:
    Father, I thank-you that you see me as good even when the accuser says differently.  I thank-you that your plans for me are good and that you won’t let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. Help me to stand strong so that I can pass the tests of my life and walk in Your blessing!  In Jesus name,  Amen.
     (WATER IN THE DESERT; Section 3-WATER IN THE WANDERING: TESTING…FOLLOWED BY BLESSING, pgs.112-114). 

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  • Never

    “the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you, never nor forsake you”
    Deuteronomy 31:6

    Last Monday I was teaching a Bible Study about when the Israelites left Egypt and started heading towards The Promised Land armed for battle, thinking they could take on the world.  God knew that they weren’t that strong…how worn out they were from the 400 years of bondage.  As they headed out, they were sure they could handle everything, but the first sign of trouble set them into full on panic, ready to run back to Egypt. 
    Breaking free is always a difficult thing to do, whether it’s sin, a bad habit, an unhealthy relationship or a negative workplace.  Everything in our nature screams to keep things the way they are, to stay where we know what to expect.  The Israelites were no different than us.  They left Egypt with their feet, but not with their hearts.  For a time they waffled back and forth between wanting to move forward into The Promised Land and wanting to go back to Egypt.  Instead they got stuck in the desert.  Todd’s illustration of the 3 Signposts in my book is a great visual of this cycle.
    In order to help the people go the right way, God placed a pillar of cloud in the day and a pillar of fire at night.  It never left its place in front of the people.  It was a visual reminder that God was with them. The verse above tells us how God is with us, that he never leaves us and never forsakes, rejects or abandons us. How incredible is that! God wanted us to understand this so much that He “repeats” himself, with this same message, many times so we could be sure that it is true.  At least 10 times God sends this message to us in His Word!  Be encouraged today…God is with YOU! He won’t leave, reject or abandon YOU!  So don’t waffle back and forth.  Move forward today in all God has for you!
    Prayer:
    Father, help me to let Your Word sink deep in my spirit so I trust you when you say that you are with me.  Help me to be confident that You won’t leave me, You won’t reject me, You won’t abandon me.  Let me takes steps toward Your good plan for my life today!  Amen.
    Never will I leave you “Repeat” verses: Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8, Joshua 1:5, 1 Chronicles 28:20, Psalm 37:28, Psalm 94:14, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 42:16, Hebrews 13:5
    (WATER IN THE DESERT; Section 2-WATER PARTING-STARTING TO SWIM, pg.68)

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  • Power & Glory of God Conference

    I was asked to speak at The Power & Glory of God Conference last minute when another author couldn’t make it.  The conference is a part of the Ministry of The Watchmen run by Rev. Barbara Williams out of Warren, Michigan.  It was one of those God ordained moments!  Since the event was held during Braeside Family Camp my cousin Rachelle Fletcher a Christian Recording Artist,  was down visiting from Texas.  She has written a worship song to go along with my book and when I got the call about this event I knew I needed her to come with me.  They were open to having Rachelle sing “You Are Water In My Desert” after I spoke.  The Lord used the song in such a powerful way and there was a sweet sense of His presence as worship sprang forth.  It was an amazing time!

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  • Power & Glory of God Conference

    I was asked to speak at The Power & Glory of God Conference last minute when another author couldn’t make it.  The conference is a part of the Ministry of The Watchmen run by Rev. Barbara Williams out of Warren, Michigan.  It was one of those God ordained moments!  Since the event was held during Braeside Family Camp my cousin Rachelle Fletcher a Christian Recording Artist,  was down visiting from Texas.  She has written a worship song to go along with my book and when I got the call about this event I knew I needed her to come with me.  They were open to having Rachelle sing “You Are Water In My Desert” after I spoke.  The Lord used the song in such a powerful way and there was a sweet sense of His presence as worship sprang forth.  It was an amazing time!

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  • Book Signing-Family Christian Taylor, Michigan

    Great store with another great Manager!  Family Christian really knows how to hire good people!  Todd shared his manuscript for 40 DAYS IN THE MANCAVE with the manager Scott and he was so excited!  God opened up doors for great connections here.  Enjoying getting to meet so many amazing people!  Thanks for all you did Scott!

     

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  • ICRS 2013

     
    The International Christian Retail Show was a pivotal time for my life.  I’m so thankful that Todd was there to help make it the success that it was and to make it as fun as it was!  On our drive down to St. Louis, Missouri we stopped for lunch.  As soon as Todd turned off the car I could hear a drag strip in the background.  When the line-up was really long at Bob Evans I asked Todd if he wanted to go to his first ever Drag Race. He was in!  We had so much fun!  Funny, but the track was called “Crossroads”–Godincidence maybe 🙂   The first night of the conference was great!  We got to finally meet the owners of the Gospel Lighthouse Bookstore Chain that have been so good to me.  Marna Mugford and Lynda Schoffro are wonderful people.  We sat together at the service and enjoyed worship led by Laura Storey, special music by Steven Curtis Chapman and preaching by Max Lucado.  All have impacted my life through their ministries.  Later we got to hear a concert of some talented singers hosted by Matthew West.
    I had paid to have a book signing at the trade show in the Xulon Press booth and was scheduled for the Monday afternoon at 2pm.  UPS made so many mistakes and didn’t have my books there.  The people at Xulon Press we so great that they allowed me to have the signing booth for Tuesday morning at 10am.  I had to tell people who came that my books were held up at customs and that I would have them tomorrow at 10am.  I was trying to be calm about it, but when we got back to the hotel room and the books weren’t there I panicked, then I decided to trust God to do work it all out.  Todd and I even went out for dinner and up the Arch.  God did some miraculous things and a driver brought the books back after 7pm.
    The next day we got to the trade show not knowing if anyone would show up since it was advertised for the day before.  God did amazing things and we couldn’t even get set up before line-ups started.  I was signing books from 9:30am until just before noon!  If only I were selling the books 🙂  The security from the building had to actually re-route the line because it was hindering so many other booths!  I met so many great people who owned or mangaged bookstores,  ran ministries, authors, publishers, radio, television and internet media connections.   We were especially blessed to meet Julie Cantrell, NY Times and USA Today Bestselling Author and winner of two Christy Awards, one for Debut Novel of the Year and a 2nd for Book of The Year, along with her lovely mom.  Thankful to God for allowing us this opportunity!

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