Category: Soul (Blessings, Miracles, Prayer, Spiritual Growth)

Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that he should change his mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

My daily devotional took me through Numbers 22-24, which is a strange account that shows that sometimes God will use scoundrels to further His kingdom. It’s an account of a bad man that God used to bless Israel. Sometimes God uses people who have no spiritual depth to say and do wonderful things, and further His kingdom.

A few months ago our pastor talked about the difference between God’s Sovereign will and His will for our personal lives. His will is that we would all come to know Him as Lord of our lives, but He has given us free will to choose. He could have made us without free will and chosen to force us to love Him, but by giving us the freedom to choose to love Him, he finds those who are genuine. He WILL allow us to NOT choose Him… to take a path that leads to destruction… He WILL allow us to make bad decisions… and by His grace alone, He will extends His grace to get our lives back on track when we’ve chosen poorly. In our personal lives, His will is our choice. But in His Sovereign will…. His work will be accomplished despite the choices we make. He does not need us to accomplish His Sovereign will…. but oh, what a wonderful place to be in the very center of His will for our personal lives as well as the center of His Sovereign will.

Pastor Stoper: “when God is determined to bless a people, nothing, but nothing, but nothing is ever going to interfere with or block that plan…if we know that we are moving in the direction God planned, nothing will ever cause us to loose His blessing or thwart His purpose for us”

Lord, I don’t know what I’ve done to find favor in Your eyes, but I know that everything I have has been given by Your hand. I have seen You work miracles and know the power You have. I want everyone to know You fully, and be able to find the purpose You have for their lives. I want to continue moving in the direction of Your will and Your purpose. I want to be used so that others may see Your glory and Your glory alone. My prayer for my friends today is that they would find Your will for their lives, and find their way right to the center of it, to be part of Your Will for their lives as well as Your Sovereign will and plan.

So very grateful for all You have done and are doing to further Your Kingdom.

Be blessed today, my friends

SB

Father, my Lord and Savior, how much I love you. To live in expectation of Your wonder is so incredible; to see the works that You have done, the power that You have; to bring healing where healing is needed, to prune what needs pruned in our lives to get us where we need to be to glorify You has been the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed.

Lord, I know that You have Your hand on me, You will not let me fall. Hold those around me, and give strength where we are weak. Trusting You with everything I have, every good and perfect gift has come from You alone.

Lord, You are Holy and feared. I love You.

Forever Yours,

Your humble servant,

SB

Driving in my car today, I was reminded of this song. In 2016 I had the privilege to worship with this band at the Christian Missionart Alliance LIFE conference. This song made an huge impact on me, and seemed to fit so well with my post today that I thought I’d share. Hope you are blessed.

Jordon Howerton Surrender

[Verse 1]
I need the one who holds tomorrow
To give me peace about today
You never said this would be easy
God give me faith to say

[Chorus]
I will walk through the flames and I will praise Your name
I surrender, I surrender all
I won’t wait for the mountaintop, I’ll claim You here
I surrender all to You

[Verse 2]
So I won’t worry about tomorrow
I will give my all today
My life I live to make a difference
God give me strength to say

[Chorus]
I will walk through the flames and I will praise Your name
I surrender, I surrender all
I won’t wait for the mountaintop, I’ll claim You here

I surrender all to You

Give me faith that moves the mountains
A perfect love that casts out fear
God I know You’ve never leave me
You’re here with me to stay, here with me to stay

The word of my year this year is PRAY. As we enter February, I am comforted by my prayer time. It literally is a comfort to me, like a warm blanket surrounding me while I enjoy a cup of coffee in front of a fire. I feel God’s presence as I talk with Him.

The past 6 weeks have been excruciating for me and for the family of my friend, Rob. I have spent literally countless hours praying about him, for him, for his family, for those who care about him, for the, my friends and their needs, doctors and nurses, other hospital patients, you name it. I’ve wrestled with God on some questions from deep within me. I’ve sought council from friends who I know love Jesus, from those who have walked the path he’s walked, from those who work with those who’ve walked this path. I’ve done research, I’ve read, I’ve prayed.

My valley has happened while someone else is on a mountaintop, just as my mountaintop happens while someone else is in the valley. I am grateful for those who have faithfully lifted me (as well as others in my circle) in prayer and encouragement during this time. I pray to be able to return their blessing someday when I’m on the mountaintop and they’re in the valley.

Along my journey, I have reaffirmed what I already knew about God. He is faithful. He loves us. He IS working together all things for good. No, not all things are good, but I can do clearly see Gods hand on our lives… and I can see Him making a difference in the lives of people around me. As we travel through this journey together, my Lord is showing me things I’ve not known before, preparing me for something He has planned.

I so deeply love my Lord and trust where we’ve been, and trust where He will lead. I remember so clearly a few months ago when He asked me if I’d trust Him “when it got really bad”. I don’t know if it’s “really bad” yet, but I trust Him with a resounding “yes, Lord, I will trust You when it’s really bad”.

The God of the mountain is the same God in our valleys… and the God in our valleys is the same God in our mountains.

God has answered prayers in a big way this week. I’ll fill you in soon. I am trusting in His timing and in His guidance, to move Rob to wherever Rob needs to be. I pray God will continue to open and close doors to protect and heal my friend.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lord. I know I need to trust you for everything… including Robs continued care. Everything I have is yours.

Blessings,

SB

This journey we embark on

is filled with much delight

though promises no safety

to those with strength to fight

 

Most will fear the outcome

and tread only paths well worn

but few with spartan courage

will venture toward reform

 

To blaze new trails for His sake

is not a journey for the weak

but steadfast toward the prize

and His Glory that we seek

 

Stand strong when trials shall come

for He gives you what you need

to fight another day for Him

the devil to impede

 

Godspeed, my fellow sojourner,

may you, with braveness be

the beacon of light in darkness

for all the world to see

 

May those who quest to find Him

be transformed and ever seek

to worship and adore Him

for all eternity

 

“One of our goals in life should be to learn to exercise faith in the promises of God no matter what the external circumstances appear to be” Pastor Stoper, Mission 119

This morning’s devotion was on Numbers 13-14. In this account, Moses sent spies out into the land to see if it would be good for them. (This occurred after God had delivered the Israelites out of Egypt, through the Red Sea into the wilderness). Of all of the spies sent, only two came back with a good report. Most said the land was good but they were afraid of the people who lived there for they were giants. Caleb and Joshua felt differently. They were confident in their faith because they had seen God deliver them before and knew He’d do it again.

I don’t know what mountain you’re facing today. I do know the mountains I facing, and I will admit, if I allow it, fear and uncertainty could cripple me. But when I look back at the promises God has made, and I see how faithful He has been to me over my lifetime.

In my career, I have had the opportunity to blaze new trails. It’s often scary to do, and I’ve faced strong opposition for sure. Ironically, one of my strong opponents was my friend Rob… and I stood strong against him, driving the change that needed to happen in the way in which the company we both worked for needed to do business. Who would have known that the steadfastness with which I persevered in my professional life would have been the strength that drew him back to me years later to lead him in his personal spiritual journey. But I digress.

As I stand here today, seemingly facing giants, I know that it was God who brought me to this place. I’m trusting in the promises that He’s made that He will protect, deliver, and bless those who follow Him. I’ve seen him do it and believe He’s going to do it again.

All for His glory,

SB

Like manna from Heaven, God provides for our needs, not for a lifetime, but for the day.

Wednesday and Thursday were pretty tough days for me this week. My friend’s mom called to tell me the hospital where he is called for a family meeting to discuss next step for him. Medically, he doesn’t need to be in a hospital anymore but mentally he is not able to be on his own. They must decide where to put him.

I woke up Thursday morning feeling pretty defeated, doubting my past decisions that I felt so strongly were guided by God. I really doubted my next steps, and began trying to think about how best to close the studio business we just started. I was an emotional wreck.

Those who love me gathered around me to pray and reminded me of all the ways God has taken care of His people through the years, from Biblical times through now. My mom reminded me that God has always provided what we needed, even after my father died and it seemed all Hope was lost.

The weight of the world weighed heavy on my shoulders and I couldn’t see a way out.

In the morning, I got up for work and found my mom watching Joseph Prince on tv. He was talking about immovable mountains in front of us… and how they are no problem for the God who created the universe out of nothing. I knew the message was for me, and I texted Rob’s mom to let her know I’d be praying about the meeting and went to work. I couldn’t concentrate all day and struggled to get done what I needed to. I texted my husband about my defeat.

For those who know my husband, you can see that this exchange, in and of itself, is a miracle!

In the evening, while I was teaching piano, my husband texted me a scripture.. it’s his life verse and one he repeats to himself often.

In the late evening after piano lessons, we went to the hospital to visit Rob. Before we went in, we prayed in the car that God would give us a good visit, and that Rob’s mind would be good. We signed the visitor’s log and headed for his room.

As we approached his room we could hear the nurse saying, “Rob! Rob! That’s not what you’re supposed to be doing!” I’m not sure what he was doing but I knew it was Rob. Lol.

Amazingly, Rob was very alert. He was standing by his bed when we came in and he hugged us. He knew our names and how we knew him. He knew about our studio and other details about our business that only he would know. We stayed and talked for a couple of hours. We prayed together and talked about possible next steps for him. I thanked God for hearing and answering my prayer for a good visit. It was enough for me to see He has a plan… and though I don’t know what it is yet, I know that God loves Rob and will continue to bring about His will in Rob’s life.

As I wake up this Friday morning, I feel refreshed and renewed, excited once again to see God use His people in ways we never thought possible for His glory.

All glory to You, Lord Jesus. You are, indeed, working all things together for good for those who love you and are called according to Your purpose. May Your will be done!

Thank you to all who are following this journey. As you can see, I don’t have it all together, but I know I love God and I know He is faithful to me. I pray He will use my story (and those in it) to bless others!

Blessings,

SB

In my daily devotion, I’ve been reading Numbers, which is about the journey of the Israelites after deliverance from Egypt. My study, which is led by Pastor Stoper of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church through an AP called Mission 119, has recently taken us through the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt’s… you’ll remember the crazy way in which God showed up to part the sea so they could cross on dry land when their enemies were right on their heals and it looked as if they had no way out?

Yesterday’s passage reminded me that the Israelites looked to God (Jehovah) to guide every step of their journey. They set up camp when and where He told them to, they broke camp and moved when He told them to. Literally every single step they took was directed by God.

There are those in my circle (including myself) who are faced with some pretty big life decisions… who are listening hard to hear God’s direction.

Lord, guide every step I make. I bend my ear to You to hear Your voice, I beg You to speak directly to me and tell me which which way to go, whether to move forward, or stay put, whether to consult with others, whether to be bold or meek, whether to go left or right. Let me hear Your voice above all others. I pray this in Your name.

Be blessed today, my friends!

SB

Good morning, friends! As you know, I have stepped way outside of my comfort zone and find myself in completely unchartered territory in many areas of my life. I believe God has called me to some of it, and the rest is… well, I don’t even know to be honest… perhaps the enemy doesn’t like my step of faith and is trying to get me down… but you know I’ve asked God to continue to show me signs that I’m doing what He’s asked… and I’m committed to sharing with you all so you can watch him move an immovable mountain. I’m excited and terrified at the same time.

This past Sunday, I was in our church kitchen getting coffee with our other worship leaders when a woman I’ve known for years came in carrying a music stand folded in a bag. Years ago, she was instrumental in our Vacation Bible School program and everyone adored her. Her husband developed cancer but is still with us today. They left our church for a while but returned a few years ago and I don’t really know all of the details of his medical journey. We exchanged some pleasantries and B said, “hey I was just thinking about M… how long ago was it that he had cancer?”

“Ten years,” she said.

“Wow. I didn’t realize it had been that long. Praise God!” I said.

“Yes and no,” she said. “Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. Yes, we’re thankful that he is cancer free, but he lives with the aftermath caused by his radiation.” She shared with us some of the struggles that the goes through, and that, in fact, he hadn’t come with her that day because he was overwhelmed with all he has to do to overcome his obstacles. She started to cry and said, “B, your the 3rd person that asked about him today. God must’ve known I needed some encouragement” With that, we surrounded her and prayed for her. As we finished, she said how blessed she was and how God Gabe her just what she needed for that day.

“Like manna from Heaven,” I said. B said, “you know, it’s even in the Lord’s Prayer.. that He gives us THIS day our daily bread, that He doesn’t necessarily give us all we need for a lifetime… just what we need today… “

She was noticeably moved and said, “So here, I came to give you this music stand that belonged to my daughter who doesn’t need it anymore… and I think of you so often and that ministry you have going with music and pray for you and your students…and you guys just blessed me more than I can imagine”. And with that, I was noticeably moved and said, “you can’t possible realize how much YOU have blessed me in this.. to know you’re praying for me and the studio. THIS was MY man a from Heaven today!”

As I reflect on that blessing… to know people are praying for people… and people are going through hard things all over the place…I am reminded that we need to come to Him every single day and renew ourselves, and ever single day, He will give us just what we need.

Be blessed, my friends. The best is yet to come.

SB