Come Into The Deep End... with ImHisServant (3)

[JPPT1974]

We are never alone without God
God is there right beside us!

 

[cristianna]

Exodus 4:10-12

10 Then Moses said to the Lord,"Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, Nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."
11 The Lord said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?
12 "Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."

How many times have we felt the inability to do what God directs us to do? But, we see in these scriptures that God can use anyone to perform His purposes.
Moses felt so incapable of speaking to others, I have felt that way myself at times.
But, through the example that God shows us by way of Moses, if we are obedient to go when God calls us, we do not go alone. The Holy Spirit goes with us and if we allow Him total control over the calling then it is not we who do, but the Spirit that works through us.

That is very true. I like seeing how even Moses, Moses everyone, honestly questioned 'his' ability and tools needed. And God so reassuringly reminds him who is in control.

Thank you for posting this!

We are never alone without God
God is there right beside us!

And thank God for that!

 

[cristianna]

Little Girl Lost
By Marybeth Whalen



“’Come back, wandering children! I can heal your wanderlust!’ ‘We’re here! We’ve come back to you. You’re our own true God!’” Jeremiah 3:22 (MSG)


Devotion:
This morning I was walking out of the library with my toddler trailing behind me. As I walked through the sliding glass door to the parking lot, I turned to look behind me and my daughter was gone. She had seemingly vanished into thin air. I began to call her name, my eyes darting around from the inside of the library to the parking lot ahead, then back to the corners of the lobby I was standing in. If you have ever lost a child, you know the panicky feeling that instantly wells up in your heart. I rushed back inside the library and asked the librarians if they had seen her come back in. They said no, but one went to look in the children’s section. My heart was racing and my blood pounding as I ran back out to the lobby, calling her name over and over, louder and louder.

“Lord,” I prayed, “please help me find my precious daughter. Please don’t let anything happen to her.” I thought of random scenarios of what could have happened. Every news report I have ever seen, every newspaper article featuring missing children flashed before my eyes. The librarian came out to where I was standing and asked me if I had checked the stairs. I eyed the set of stairs set off to the side of the lobby, reasoning that she wouldn’t go there. It couldn’t hurt to check, I decided. I walked up the stairs and rounded the corner to see that precious little face looking back at me. She was sitting on the stairs the whole time, listening to me call her name in a panic.

I swooped her into my arms and hugged her tightly. “Why didn’t you answer me?” I asked. She looked back at me with her big blue eyes, studying my face like I had lost my mind. To her, she was never lost, just enjoying a new hiding place.

As I have thought of that moment when I knew she was gone, I have pictured her listening to me call to her, but not answering my cries. She had made a wrong turn and was out of my sight. I know all the dangers in the world. I know how careful I must be with my precious child. But she didn’t see the harm in trying out something new, investigating something different.

How many times have I been like my little girl? How many times have I ignored my Father’s voice, choosing my own way instead of answering His call? How many times have I been lost and didn’t even know it? How many times has He sought me out, even when I was unaware of the dangers that were lurking?

We all lose our way. The important part is not that we fall short, but how we respond when we do. Do we cry, “I’m here Daddy! Rescue me!” Or do we try to answer our own questions and solve our own problems? Do we need to rely on God more and ourselves less? Do we need to allow Him to pull us from our hiding place and hear His voice say, “I’ve been looking for you, my precious daughter.” Today I saw myself in my child—in desperate need of being found, of being searched for, of being drawn out of my hiding places, of being protected from the things I foolishly think are safe. Today I saw my Father, so willing to do all those things—to go to the ends of the earth if that is what it takes, to send His own Son to die in my place, to swoop me up into His arms and say, “I am so glad I found you.” It’s good to be found—even when you didn’t know you were lost.



Dear Lord, thank You for searching for me and not giving up when I have been lost but didn’t even realize it. Thank You for calling my name and loving me enough to draw me out of my hiding places. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



Reflections:
What are your hiding places? Write them down as God brings them to mind. Ask Him to help you stop hiding.

Is there someone in your life who needs you to pray today’s scripture as a promise for their life? Do you need to pray today’s scripture, responding with, “I’m here! I’ve come back. You are my true God”? If so, don’t delay in praying that prayer aloud today.


Power Verses:
Job 28:10-11, “He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.” (NIV)

Psalm 143:9, “Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.” (NIV)

Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (NIV)

 

[Criada]

Thank you so much for posting that today!!
I really needed to read that ...


Lord... I love You.

 

[cristianna]

Thank you so much for posting that today!!
I really needed to read that ...


Lord... I love You.

I think it's a mighty good one if you ask me!

And He loves you right back, even more, Criada!

 

[Marycita]

I think it's a mighty good one if you ask me!

And He loves you right back, even more, Criada!

YES! That is a terrific one...I love it




but, not as much as I love Him hehee

 

[bornagain91]

GOD TOOK SOME MUD


From dust, The Lord created man
God made a pile of mud
Then to His form and true to plan Gen.1:27
He found him very good Gen1:31


But still it lay on mother ground
Man’s cold and lifeless form
Until God’s breath in him was found Gen.2:7
That made His handwork warm


But disobedience made him cry
When sin made sick and old Gen.4:26
Man’s stream of life would soon run dry
Once more to make him cold


He’d suffer pain, he’d feel the sword Gen.3:23
He’d feel the loss of love
Throughout his days to seek the Lord
He'd humbly call above Gen.4:26


Man's prayed for God to speak once more
Would come and take the pain
Within the flesh God’s word would pour
And make man warm again


Yet man is like a porous brick
Like mud, when cold and dry
When wet too much, he’s weak and sick
When not enough, he’ll die


But God sent Christ to bear man’s shame
He’d heard His children groan
Now those receiving Jesus’ Flame
God makes a temple stone 1Pe.2:5


Yet man of sin, dies flesh and bone
But Christ can soon restore
Within His hand, a humble stone
Will take God's form once more.


Michael P. Johnson​

 

[TheCalledOutOne]

Little Girl Lost
By Marybeth Whalen



“’Come back, wandering children! I can heal your wanderlust!’ ‘We’re here! We’ve come back to you. You’re our own true God!’” Jeremiah 3:22 (MSG)


Devotion:
This morning I was walking out of the library with my toddler trailing behind me. As I walked through the sliding glass door to the parking lot, I turned to look behind me and my daughter was gone. She had seemingly vanished into thin air. I began to call her name, my eyes darting around from the inside of the library to the parking lot ahead, then back to the corners of the lobby I was standing in. If you have ever lost a child, you know the panicky feeling that instantly wells up in your heart. I rushed back inside the library and asked the librarians if they had seen her come back in. They said no, but one went to look in the children’s section. My heart was racing and my blood pounding as I ran back out to the lobby, calling her name over and over, louder and louder.

“Lord,” I prayed, “please help me find my precious daughter. Please don’t let anything happen to her.” I thought of random scenarios of what could have happened. Every news report I have ever seen, every newspaper article featuring missing children flashed before my eyes. The librarian came out to where I was standing and asked me if I had checked the stairs. I eyed the set of stairs set off to the side of the lobby, reasoning that she wouldn’t go there. It couldn’t hurt to check, I decided. I walked up the stairs and rounded the corner to see that precious little face looking back at me. She was sitting on the stairs the whole time, listening to me call her name in a panic.

I swooped her into my arms and hugged her tightly. “Why didn’t you answer me?” I asked. She looked back at me with her big blue eyes, studying my face like I had lost my mind. To her, she was never lost, just enjoying a new hiding place.

As I have thought of that moment when I knew she was gone, I have pictured her listening to me call to her, but not answering my cries. She had made a wrong turn and was out of my sight. I know all the dangers in the world. I know how careful I must be with my precious child. But she didn’t see the harm in trying out something new, investigating something different.

How many times have I been like my little girl? How many times have I ignored my Father’s voice, choosing my own way instead of answering His call? How many times have I been lost and didn’t even know it? How many times has He sought me out, even when I was unaware of the dangers that were lurking?

We all lose our way. The important part is not that we fall short, but how we respond when we do. Do we cry, “I’m here Daddy! Rescue me!” Or do we try to answer our own questions and solve our own problems? Do we need to rely on God more and ourselves less? Do we need to allow Him to pull us from our hiding place and hear His voice say, “I’ve been looking for you, my precious daughter.” Today I saw myself in my child—in desperate need of being found, of being searched for, of being drawn out of my hiding places, of being protected from the things I foolishly think are safe. Today I saw my Father, so willing to do all those things—to go to the ends of the earth if that is what it takes, to send His own Son to die in my place, to swoop me up into His arms and say, “I am so glad I found you.” It’s good to be found—even when you didn’t know you were lost.



Dear Lord, thank You for searching for me and not giving up when I have been lost but didn’t even realize it. Thank You for calling my name and loving me enough to draw me out of my hiding places. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



Reflections:
What are your hiding places? Write them down as God brings them to mind. Ask Him to help you stop hiding.

Is there someone in your life who needs you to pray today’s scripture as a promise for their life? Do you need to pray today’s scripture, responding with, “I’m here! I’ve come back. You are my true God”? If so, don’t delay in praying that prayer aloud today.


Power Verses:
Job 28:10-11, “He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.” (NIV)

Psalm 143:9, “Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you.” (NIV)

Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” (NIV)

I get this devotional every day. It was good..

 

[cristianna]

I get this devotional every day. It was good..

Don't you just love them? I get them emailed. I know some will hit the website, but I like opening it like it's a gift given straight to me.

 

[TheCalledOutOne]

Don't you just love them? I get them emailed. I know some will hit the website, but I like opening it like it's a gift given straight to me.

Yes, I get them emailed too. They are very good...

 

[Filina]

In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up to a higher plane.
We leave it at the Cross.
The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die.

A. W. TOZER

 

[cristianna]

You Want Me to Search My Sole?
By Lysa TerKeurst


“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 (NIV)


Devotion:
Sometimes when I make reference to the fact that God speaks to me, there are some people that don't quite know what to make of that statement. But, it is true. God's voice is a gentle rush through my soul or a thought that pops into my head in a way that I know it's not my own. Throughout the Bible, God spoke to His people. And I'm convinced He still does. This is the most exciting part of my adventures with God...hearing from Him, experiencing Him... everyday!

Recently I had the wonderful privilege to speak at a conference with Renee Swope. Renee and I went thinking we were going to be giving out to the ladies at the conference but God wound up giving to us in special ways as well. During Renee’s talk, she spoke about Isaiah 61 as her life verse given to her by God over ten years ago. She referred to verse 3 several times that promises God will make His people into oaks of righteousness, a display of His splendor. She said God's promise to her despite all the yuck of her past was that one day He would use her to "display" His splendor.

Toward the end of her talk, God spoke something that seemed quite strange to me. I felt God tell me to take the sticker off the sole of my shoe. I flipped my shoe over thinking it must be a price sticker. Instead, what I found took my breath away! Tucked safely into the arch of the bottom of my shoe, was an orange sticker that read DISPLAY! Instantly, the Lord spoke to my heart again and instructed me to give the sticker to Renee when she finished speaking and tell her that her life verse had been fulfilled. Today, she had truly become a DISPLAY of His splendor. She was to place the sticker in her Bible beside the Isaiah 61 verses as a reminder of God's fulfilled promise in her life. The sticker even matched Renee's orange jacket she was wearing!

Some may be skeptical that God would speak to ordinary women. Some may think it silly that God would use a sticker on the bottom of a shoe to reveal Himself. But Renee and I are absolutely convinced... from the bottom of our soles and souls!


Dear Lord, Thank you for loving us in the exact personal ways we need. Lord, help us to hear when you speak to us. I pray each day I let my heart get quiet just long enough to sit and listen to your encouragement and instructions. Then give me courage Lord to obey you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


Reflections:
If you don’t have a life verse, why not ask God to lead you to just the right one today? Some of you may be like me and have different life verses for different seasons you've walked through with God. So, identify the most meaningful verse at this point in your life. Right now, mine is Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God!"

Have you heard God telling you to do something lately and you’ve been resistant to obey?

Write down what you feel Him telling you, and then find three Scripture verses that relate to what He’s asking of you.

Pray these Scriptures over this situation and get a friend to pray for your courage as well.



Power Verses:
Isaiah 61:3, “They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” (NIV)

Psalm 50:1, “The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.” (NIV)

Psalm 81:5, “I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me:” (MSG)

 

[bornagain91]

IS THE DOCTOR IN?

“Please can I see the doctor now
Or is he out on call
My heart’s so hurt I don’t know how
I ever came to fall

Allow me to the doctor please
I know there’s such a queue
It’s hard for me to bend my knees
I don’t know what to do

I’ve never been to him before
I’m feeling rather dumb
I saw the sign upon your door
And thought that I should come

They say I’ve nothing here to pay
He does it all quite free
I have so many debts today
But that’s not strange for me

I’m sick of searching all around
I’m sick of creams and pills
I hope in Christ that now I’ve found
A cure for all my ills

They say this Jesus Christ is good
He makes the blind to see
But that His patients wash in blood
Sounds awfully strange to me

The other doctor down the street
Have queues there night and day
The surgeon though is such a cheat
At least I’ve heard them say

But Jesus healed my neighbour’s boy
Once dumb and awfully lame
Yet now can walk, he sings with joy
I hope I’ll get the same.

Michael P. Johnson​

 

[Hisbygrace]

Exodus 15:2-3
2 "The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.
3 "The Lord is a warrior; The Lord is His name.

How awesome and wonderful that the Lord is our deliver. As a mighty warrior He goes before us to protect us from the unseen enemy. Praise His holy name, for He is our salvation.

 

[Hisbygrace]

Sometimes when I make reference to the fact that God speaks to me, there are some people that don't quite know what to make of that statement. But, it is true. God's voice is a gentle rush through my soul or a thought that pops into my head in a way that I know it's not my own. Throughout the Bible, God spoke to His people. And I'm convinced He still does. This is the most exciting part of my adventures with God...hearing from Him, experiencing Him... everyday!


How very true christianna, I have faced this myself. People that don't understand will give you the strangest looks, call you a fanatic or just plain crazy. But, God does speak to His children day after day. Sometimes through the Bible, His word, through prayer, through another person or to your heart and you know beyond doubt that it is God speaking to you. Whether it be for guidance, encouragement or disipline.

 

[cristianna]

Thank you HisbyGrace. When I read this devo today I was stunned at how accuratley it portrayed what I also have experienced and felt myself.

It's sad to know just how many others cannot decipher and hear His voice. But I know He directly speaks to me, no matter how odd it sounds to others.

 

[Hisbygrace]

Thank you HisbyGrace. When I read this devo today I was stunned at how accuratley it portrayed what I also have experienced and felt myself.

It's sad to know just how many others cannot decipher and hear His voice. But I know He directly speaks to me, no matter how odd it sounds to others.

Amen! How blessed you are dear one...

 

[rmw8855]

Sometimes when I make reference to the fact that God speaks to me, there are some people that don't quite know what to make of that statement. But, it is true. God's voice is a gentle rush through my soul or a thought that pops into my head in a way that I know it's not my own. Throughout the Bible, God spoke to His people. And I'm convinced He still does. This is the most exciting part of my adventures with God...hearing from Him, experiencing Him... everyday!


How very true christianna, I have faced this myself. People that don't understand will give you the strangest looks, call you a fanatic or just plain crazy. But, God does speak to His children day after day. Sometimes through the Bible, His word, through prayer, through another person or to your heart and you know beyond doubt that it is God speaking to you. Whether it be for guidance, encouragement or disipline.

I think he is always speaking, we just aren't always listening.

 

[bornagain91]

WE MUST LEARN


Without the Lord these eyes were blind
My life was filled with dread
Such foolish things would cloud my mind
I wished that I were dead


Throughout my ways was something wrong
Still blind I failed to see
Deep sadness seemed my daily song
Without God’s grace in me


I needed Truth but failed to know
I needed love so bad
And yet no matter where I’d go
I’d only grow more sad


In deep distress I shouted out
Crying “Is someone there?
Please come and turn my life about
And give me love to share”


Christ came with love and so much more
God heard my tearful cry
He told me what my life was for
And how I needn’t die


The world should also learn to see
She just can’t live this way
Yet for the Lord to set her free
She too must kneel and pray


Should ask her Lord to take her pride
His grace, with faith to give
Must seek His Son who came to die
In order that she’ll live


We can’t go on the way we do
For death is close at hand
But through the blood, through birth anew
We’ll learn to understand.


Michael P. Johnson​

 

[ysl_75]

A very good sharing ya!