Blessed By Design

"In the planning of God, the plots of mankind are already part of the blueprint." Pastor Rick Baker, December 7th, 2008, Morning service Calvary Baptist Church

God had told Rebekah "your older son will serve your younger son", Genesis 25:23, just as He had told Sarah previously that she would have a son, Genesis 18:10, but neither woman fully believed God's promise. Their lack of faith is demonstrated in their taking control of their situations. Rebekah plots to have her younger son recieve the blessing, and we saw how Sarah arranged for Abraham to have a child through her servant Hagar.

When the fulfillment of God's plan didn't appear to be happening, both lost confidence in the promise. Our circumstances can sometimes overshadow the truth. It's when difficulties and concerns arise that we find ourselves in a place where faith is tested.

This faith requires surrender to God's plans. It's laying down of control and understanding the difference between letting go and presenting an offering. Letting go suggests abandoning, where an offering is a willing choice...a gift. If only both Sarah and Rebekah and presented their confusion and pain to God as a gift and waited for the fulfillment of the promise.

Abraham blessed Isaac twice. The first blessing was unwittingly done. The second blessing was by design. We can trust the blessings that God has willingly spoken over our lives. Blessings to give us a hope and a future. Blessings to guide us and be with us. Blessings that involve peace and safety. A. W. Tozer writes, "Our Lord came not to destroy but to save. Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed." God is good and His promises sure.

Today I ask you, are you part of God's plan or human plotting? I want to encourage you not to take matters into your own hands. Only move when God moves and you too will be blessed by design.

Legacy Builders

I rarely dream. At least I rarely dream that I remember, but this morning as I read this daily portion of scripture, my dream returned to me. I know this may sound silly, but I think my dream might have been prompted by watching the Babara Walters interview with Patrick Swayze last evening. The one thing that really warmed my heart was observing the obvious love between he and his wife of over 30 years. In this day and age, especially in Hollywood, their committment to marriage encouraged me.

I think that could be why I went to sleep last night thinking of the love of family. My night was filled with visions of my family. We were all together. My parents, sisters and their families, my nephew and his wife and family all at my parent's home. The rooms were overflowing with love. The children were all playing together and enjoying each other's company. The adults were sharing life stories and encouraging one another. At one moment, my 83 year old Father, our resident "Abraham", commented that he wished all families could get along and be as happy as our family. We truly have been blessed.

This morning God's Word called my attention to the fact that not all families can share this testimony. It is written of Ismael's descendants that "they lived in open hostility toward all their relatives" (Genesis 25:18). A few short verses following we read of the coming birth of Isaac and Rebekah's twins, "The sons in your womb will become two nations. From the very beginning, the two nations will be rivals" (Genesis 25:23). Open hostility. Sibling rivalry. Sadly so many families live with these on-going conflicts, whether openly or behind closed doors.

Today, I want to rejoice and give tribute to parents who were legacy builders. My mom and dad may not leave much of this worlds richess behind when God calls them to their eternal home, but they leave a heritage of love. As my Pastor shared just a couple of weeks ago, our passing can be a comma, not a period. It can say, "To be continued...". My parent's have learned that the full measure of life is most often based upon it's contribution to the future. It's not so much what they did, but what they've made possible, refusing to allow the blessings to end with them.

The heading that began my reading today in Genesis 25 read, "What follows took place sometime after Sarah's death". It has made me consider the legacy that will follow me. Not just the events that will occur after my passing, but the heritage of future generations. Again the fervency of being intentional is impressed on my heart. Growing a godly family doesn't just happen. It takes work and time.

Do you want to be encouraged to live the truths of Deutoronomy 6:5-9 and look for teachable moments to impart God's Word into the lives of the next generation? Do you desire to be a legacy builder? May I encourage you to visit my friend Renee's blog. Just this past Monday she began a month of encouragement for mom's "to make daily deposits of faith into our children's lives and leave a spiritual legacy." Let's do all we can to raise a generation who will love and follow hard after the Lord. Let's get on our knees and pray for our families and let them see evidence in our lives of a God they will long to know deeper and love with their whole hearts. May it be said of all our future descendants, "They were living by faith when they died" (Hebrews 11:2).

Yahweh-Yireh

The compassion and provision of God. I wish I had so much more time this morning to share all that is in my heart. As I read the account of Hagar and Ismael (Gen 21:8-21), I was touched by the kindness of God. Although they were being justly punished for their behavior, God did not abandon them. He reminded Hagar of the promise concerning her son and then verse 19 says, "Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well full of water." So caught up in her destitute circumstances, Hagar had failed to see the resource God has already provided. The well of water that would quench their thirst was right there, but she was unaware of it until God opened her eyes.

I have destitute family and friends who are thirsting for water, living water. The well is right there. All they need do is dip their empty life in and be filled, but they walk dry and dehydrated. The do not see the Source of water. Sometimes they must come to that place of desperation that Hagar visited before God opens their eyes and they recognize His supply.

Genesis 22:1 has never been a favourite verse of mine: "God tested Abraham's faith." Satan tempts us to sin, but God tests us to strengthen our faith. Abraham had unwavering faith that what God commands is good and His promises are sure. He demonstrates no doubt. He consults with no-one. He obeys. I rejoice in His confidence in his God when he says, "WE will worship there, and then WE will come right back" (capatilization mine). He believed he would not return alone. Whether God provided another sacrifice or even raised Isaac from the dead, Abraham believed and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3).

I pray God would never ask me to sacrifice my son for any reason, but we all have "Isaacs" in our lives. There are things, people, positions etc...that God may ask us to place on the altar. God's Word says that we are to have no other gods beside Him. Sometimes we can love our "Isaacs" more than our God.

Abraham's love for the Lord foreshadowed a taste of God's love for us. Just as God provided a sacrificial lamb for Abraham, He provided a sacrificial Lamb for us, His One and only Son, but this time no other substitute would be accepted. No other substitute could be accepted.

The following telling of Isaac and Rebekah is so precious to read. Again my heart is captured by obedience. The obedience of a young girl to leave mother, father, family, homeland and follow.

As the servant is returning with Rebekah, they see Isaac "walking and meditating in the fields" (Gen 24:63). My mind would like to think he was even praying for his wife as he conversed with the Lord. Maybe he was already thanking Him for providing for he had been taught earlier to believe in Yahweh-Yireh, "the Lord will provide".

In closing, I loved Isaac's tender heart. The final verse of chapter 24 says, "He loved her (Rebekah) deeply and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother." In researching the time-line here, I discovered that Sarah and died about three years prior to this, and yet Isaac was not comforted until now. God not only provides for our physical needs, but our emotional, mental and spiritual needs as well.

Where do you need to see the provision of God today? Trust Him. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Lord will provide.

Possible!

There's one word that rings loud and clear in today's reading, although it doesn't appear in the text.

POSSIBLE!

Genesis 18:14 asks a question that we must answer: "Is there anything too hard for the LORD?" Well, is there? Luke 1:37 puts it this way, "For nothing will be impossible with God."

Sometimes we get so consumed with the size of our problem and the size of our faith, we forget the size of our God.

Selah. Stop and consider this for a moment. Everything is possible. Nothing is impossible. Where do you need the word "possible" written over your life today? Is your marriage struggling? Is their a relationship that is strained? God says reconciliation is possible. Are you dealing with health concerns. Are their physical challenges? God says healing is possible. Do you long to see a desire fulfilled? Is their barrenness of soul? God says joy and life are possible. Do you live with anxiety and fear? Do worries exhaust most of your day? God says peace that passes understanding is possible. Whatever has you discouraged and disappointed, God wants you to have hope. God wants you to trust Him.

I realize the word "possible" means, "can be done". It doesn't mean "will be done". God is still Sovereign and He decides what is best for His children. Yet, we need to trust with joyful expectancy in a God who gives abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. Proverbs 13:12 tells us, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." We have to keep believing. We have to keep trusting. Today might be the day your hope becomes sight. Today might be the day you see God work in some miraculous way in your life.

As believers we have a hope that is a reality for us, not just a desireable possibility. We have a hope that is guaranteed in Christ's promises. Our hope is a confident expectation. Hebrews 6:18-19 encourages us to take hold of the hope set before us, a hope that is the anchor of our soul, both sure and steadfast. Our hope can rise above the cares and concerns of our "impossibles" and float on calm seas because it is anchored firm in the Hands of God.

As a little girl I was taught the following chorus. As you read the lyrics, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)

"Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God;
Nothing is impossible when you're trusting in His Word.
Hearken to the voice of God to thee:
'Is there anything to hard for Me?'
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon His Word;
For ev'rything, O ev'rything,
Yes, ev'rything is possible with God." --Eugene L. Clark

God's Waiting Room

How are you when it comes to waiting? I’ve always prided myself in the fact that I can remain patient through many situations. I don’t mind waiting at the Doctor’s office. Getting delayed in traffic never seems to upset me. I gladly surrender my place in line at the grocery store when I see the lady behind me has fewer items in her shopping cart. To be honest, I enjoy the extra time of solitude waiting often affords. However, how do we react when we find ourselves in “God’s Waiting Room”?

Reading in Genesis 16 I find Abram and Sarai waiting. Waiting on the Lord to bless them with a child. A child that had been promised, yet so far there had been no evidence of this promise fulfilled. Waiting is a tough action. There is nothing passive about it. It requires greatness.

Recently I have pulled up a chair alongside several friends who are waiting to see God act on their behalf. I’m sitting with a very dear friend who has family members both struggling physically and facing challenges. Beside her sits a lady seeking health for her husband. Across the room, a friend sits in isolation, longing to know that God sees her situation and cares. In another chair, with head hanging low, sits a young lady whose shame has surrounded her and she wants to know if God will forgive her again. A young couple hold hands, a mixture of joy and wonder on their faces as they eagerly anticipate the nine-month wait to see the fulfillment of the gift of life that God has miraculously begun. A mother cries for the return of a prodigal daughter. A dear friend counts off another month on her calendar as the adoption of her baby girl is yet to be a reality. A family fills the remaining seats looking for guidance as a husband has lost his job due to restructuring. I complete their circle as one who is empty, crying out to God for direction and clarity. Do I find the waiting here easy? No. I want God to answer now. I want the receptionist to call my name and then provide me with a prescription that comes with the assurance of complete and lasting recovery and restoration.

Suddenly my eyes shift to a chair I hadn’t noticed before. There sits a Man of Sorrows who is well acquainted with grief. His eyes are full of love. You see, there is a major contrast between God’s Waiting Room and that of our family practitioner. The Great Physician Himself sits with us in the waiting room. He is very aware of each situation. He sees each concern. He knows each anxious longing. His arms hold each weary heart and troubled thought. His tears mingle with ours. He waits with us.

Today I offer no quick recovery, but I want to lift your eyes to the One who never leaves you or forsakes you, Deut 31:6. I heard it said once that our adversities are God’s universities. We want to avoid these times in our life, yet they are often where God does some of His most life-changing work in us. Draw near to God. Trust Him. Wait on Him – not on His answers. He will tenderly hold your heart as He accomplishes all that concerns you, Psalm 138:8

“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31

Babel- Builders

The Lord is refining my thoughts as I open His Word each morning. He is calling me to focus in on one truth from His Word, even though many come to me as His Spirit reveals and gives understanding. There was much that filled my mind today, but one message that stood out as greater than the rest.

In reading about the Tower of Babel in Genesis 11, the Lord has spoken to my heart. It seems like pride and the longing for significance and power prompted the building of the tower. A tower that would make the construction workers famous, strengthen unity and keep them living together. This was contrary to God's plans. God's purpose was for man to form many nations.

Genesis 11:5 begins, "But the LORD came down to look..." How sad He must be at times as He looks down at His children, going about our own plans without inquiring of Him first. Seeking prominence and power. Wanting to make a name for ourselves, when we should be desiring to make a name for Him. "Not to us O Lord, not to us, but to Your name be the glory"(Psalm 115:1).

God confused their communication with one another. It amazes me the various ways God uses to defeat our plans when they are contrary to His. He could have punished them in some greater way, but instead of severe discipline, he deterred and detoured their direction, not punishing them as they deserved. God's Word tell us that He doesn't deal with us according to our sins (Psalm 103:10), but He lovingly forgives and mercifully pardons.

As I thought further of the language barrier that would have developed between the people, it made me think of the foreign languages around the world. I only speak English fluently. Although I studied French well into High School, I only speak it "un peu". I don't really have a grasp on another language...or do I? God's Word tells me that I am a 'foreigner' here on earth, so my language should be different than those around me. As a child of God, my native tongue should now give evidence to my homeland. Words that encourage, help and build others up, yet how often I find unholy dialect proceeding from my lips. Harsh words. Unkind remarks. Accusations. Judgements. Words that should not be found in the vocabulary of a heaven bound resident. Praying the Lord will keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking lies (Psalm 34:13).

With their language confused, the people stopped working together. It is the wise person who sees God's hand in the shortfall of their project and abandons efforts. God is still able to stop the plans of Babel-builders today. He is in control. Before following our own blueprint for "tower" construction, we need to give our plans to Him and wait on Him. May the only building I do today be the result of my Divine Contractor calling me to "arise and build" (Nehemiah 2:20).

The Value of the Closed Door

This morning before I opened God's Word I prayed for wisdom. I asked the Lord to give me understanding. Although I am just writing on this blog as a form of personal accountability, it is open for others to read. It would be so easy to misunderstand a truth from God's Word, misinterpret it's meaning and then write something here that could cause confusion, or worse, lead someone astray. I feel like I should include a disclaimer: These are the thoughts of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Author. I pray that they will be His Word to me, but as I learned yesterday, error is possible. (To clarify - for those of you who read yesterday's post, on further research the Enoch in Genesis 5:18 is not the same Enoch in Genesis 4:17. I have now removed that information from my post.) Please give grace as you visit and know that I am not a Bible scholar, nor would ever claim to be. I'm a girl seeking to know her Father.

I also don't believe in going down rabbit trails. There are some things we will never understand in God's Word. That's the mystery of God. If we could explain everything about Him and the reasons why He allows certain things to happen then He would cease being God. There has to be an 'otherness' about Him. Nor can we explain all the actions and decisions of those we read about in the Bible. For example, today I don't know why Noah cursed Canaan, the son of Ham because of Ham's actions. I think maybe the whole story hasn't been included here. Possibly even Noah reacted in a moment of harshness and embarrassement. Have you not been there yourself? Have you ever handed out a punishment to your child that was greater than the act deserved at a time of peronsonal anger or because you were dealing with other issues totally unrelated to the offense, but it triggered your response? I don't think we have to try and figure out the how's, when's, where's and why's of our reading. We need to just bow the knee and ask the Lord what He wants to speak to our hearts today. This is not about gaining knowledge, but knowing Him.

Today as I read His Word, three things were impressed on my heart. The first truth is found in Genesis 7:16. This is what I read, "Then the LORD closed the door behind them." So often I pray for an "open door", but there is just as much value in the "closed door". There are times when the Lord, out of His love and mercy must close a door for our own good. We can't see the future and we maybe don't understand, but the closed door is for our protection and safety. The closed door keeps the storm from drowning our lives in a sea of unknowns. Oh, how I need to thank Him for the closed door. God will open it in His time. Genesis 8:15,16a says, "Then God said to Noah, 'Leave the boat...'". As Ecclesiastes reminds us, there is an appointed time for everything. We need to trust the Lord.

As the account of the flood was given, I realized for the first time that it rained for 40 days (OK...that part I knew); there was another 110 days of floating on the water before it came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, taking us to about 5 months that Noah and his family have been in the Ark. Now comes another 7 1/2 months of waiting before the Lord gives permission to leave the boat. Think about that. I'm sure the 5 month time seemed like an eternity, but at least you were doing something...you were going somewhere...you weren't just sitting still. But, almost another 8 months of waiting! Wouldn't you just love to know what happened during that time? I'm guessing Noah and his family were kept busy with the care of the animals, but I think I'd be getting a little stir crazy. I'm not good with confinement. I'm not an elevator girl. I don't like having things closed all around me. I wonder if all on the boat waited with peaceful hearts, trusting in the One who had closed the door.

Finally, I loved reading the accounts of the descendants of Noah. What thrilled me was seeing the lineage expressed from two different books of the Bible, Genesis and 1 Chronicles, and the validity from two different writers. This was my first taste of seeing this in reading the chronological Bible. Although I have never doubted one word of God's Word, I would think seeing this could help skeptics and naysayers as more than one eye-witness pens the same account.

God's Word is true, trustworthy and timely. Praying that He will speak to you personally as you spend time with Him today.