Wait for It

Recently, I turned to HABAKKUK in curiosity to find why 2 Christian lawyers found comfort discussing this small unknown book on a podcast. I believe they found a peaceful rest for their souls while outwardly dealing (running against) with so many injustices on a daily basis.
Maybe Habakkuk was a lawyer coming out of an unfair verdict. Maybe his career had been swamped by uncovered political corruption oppressing many. Maybe he found overwhelming evidence of much wrong done, yet the judge was blind. Unfairly, maybe the judge was biased, greedy, had his own agenda, and refused to see the oppressed. One thing was certain, Habakkuk knew the courts held an unbalanced justice. The wicked walked free. Habakkuk was tired of it all and angrily complained to God.
He is overwhelmed by all the evil and injustice daily seen in his city, but what bothers him more is how seemingly silent God is. 

Have you asked Habakkuk's questions to the Lord? I have.
There are common questions heard often in the face of injustice, oppression, destruction and crime and wickedness.
'How can a good God overlook so much violence, inequality, and destruction?'
'Why is evil allowed to win every time?'
'Why do wicked men walk free among us?'
'Lord, are you blind and cannot see what we see all around us daily?!'

We see. We judge. We deem this display of justice unfair, biased, imbalanced! Rather than blaming sin, deprivation, evil hearts, we turn to accuse and/or complain to God for overlooking the unfairness of wickedness, accusing Him of not acting on what we see as unfair and prevalent.
The Lord answers Habakkuk, just as He answers you & me. 
"Look among the nations and see
Wonder and be astounded
for I am doing a work in your days 
that you would not believe if told." 

God says Look & SEE. Wonder! Be astounded!
This takes SPIRITUAL insight.
SEEING evidence while not seeing.
Believing & being assured by substance not seen.
Faith.

Although Habakkuk believes in God, he still clings to physical sight. He needs fairness. He tries to justify the reports he has heard that God is good and his work is mighty among men. (3:2ff) He begins to excuse God because of his goodness. Matter of fact, he reasons that God's goodness is so immense it actually makes Him blind!
He says God has "pure eyes than to see evil and cannot look @ wrong". (1:13) 
Habakkuk reasons God's goodness blinds him so that He cannot "idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he". (1:14) 
It is hard to find balance between what we define as GOOD as that which allows such wrong to continue! We look to excuse God even by blindness or as some say as "not involved in the affairs of men". Otherwise, how can we justify the injustice decent people suffer at the hands of people with hearts bent on evil?
Throughout my life, I've watched this imbalance growing more intense, often blaming it on too much social networking & agenda-driven newscycles. I see definite wickedness justified by a re-defined right and justice, and even see it overlooked because of one's position, excused by elitism, thwarted by power, and labeled in ethnics, poverty, politics, education, misunderstandings, and just plain greed. My heart aches when I see oppression of any kind, especially when some slip away and others pay dearly. I'm deeply grieved when our courts are ruled by wickedness, falsifying documents, lying political agendas and man-pleasing verdicts, rather than be the havens for justice God meant to give people seeking relief.
I've been challenged by Habakkuk's journal to seriously look at God's response. He told Habakkuk to WRITE down what the LORD tells him SO THAT anyone who reads it may RUN. (2:2)
That word RUN recalls to my memory several NT encouragements to RUN.
Gal 2:2 I set before them the gospel I proclaimed, in order to make sure I was not running or had not RUN in vain. 
Phil 2:16 holding forth the Word of life so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not RUN in vain or labor in vain.
Heb 12:1 Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, & sin which clings so closly, & let us RUN with endurance the race that is set before us.
1 Co 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners RUN, but only one receives the prize? So RUN that you may obtain it. (26) So I do not RUN aimlessly...but I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified. 
Oh, also remember God's promise that those who WAIT upon the Lord will RUN and not get weary!!
Is 40:31 They who WAIT upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall RUN and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

We often think WAIT means "sitting around", yet God says that to simply "WAIT FOR IT" includes a RUN with endurance/patience.
WHILE you WAIT...
Finish the race. Win the prize. Don't be weary.
All of this is accomplished when we "Look unto Jesus" who set his face like flint in His WAIT on his Father's will to be victorious on our behalf. He went first. He won first. He was determined to live out his purpose for the pleasure of God. RUN.
RUN strong.
RUN straight.
RUN with patience.
God is not blind, but rather "the truth of God is " for still the vision awaits an appointed time; it hastens to the end - it will not lie." (Hab 2:3)

I imagine a grimacing, subdued Habakkuk climbing the stairs. His heart resigned to just do his duty, his job...the daily chores...
Habakkuk stands at his WATCHPOST and stations himself high on the tower to LOOK out to SEE what God says to him...(even assuming he'll complain again!) 
but has to conclude his only way to SEE has God sees is by FAITH.
"The righteous shall live by his faith." (2:4)

When we question God's vision and reason that a good God must be blind, unearthly and not understanding, let's at least take action to do what is required of us... Take our station and stand.
As we go about our day, let's allow our hearts to be silent and LOOK OUT....
We might just STAND STILL and know HE is God.
As we LOOK OUT & WATCH expectantly, our need of faith that God sees beyond our strength may hold the substance (assurance) of things hoped for, and with spiritual insight, we will see evidence (conviction) unseen.
We can trust our all-seeing God.
No matter what distruction happens...
Habakkuk "wrote in large clear letters" (2:2NLT), so I, the runner can SEE & TELL...
In FAITH, I look & by see, so I also write (hopefully clearly) so that "the runner can read it and tell everyone else..." (2:2 NLT)
And together, we TESTIFY...
I will rejoice in the LORD!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.
The SOVEREIGN LORD is my strength!
He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains! (3:18)

Soon...very soon...We are going to SEE the King!! 
The vision of God... "it will not lie." (2:3)
We'll understand it all by & by.
Run while we WAIT FOR IT.

The HOUSE GOD is BUILDING...

I'm enjoying several Bible study groups this season and could linger over Scriptures all day! I'm so amazed how the Holy Spirit pieces truths together when we ask for open eyes of understanding.
Each of 3 studies cover an individual Bible book, but each is just a piece of a larger puzzle. I recently wrote a new chapter in my journal under
The HOUSE God is Building.
The first group is focused on Psalm 119 by looking at the Hebrew alphabet. I learned BET, the second value means "dwelling place, house, tent" and is the FIRST letter to open the TORAH, announcing God creating a dwelling place called earth.
In February, a second study in Matthew will focus on Jesus in the Coming of the King. The first chapter encountered the long names in the lineage of his earthly father, Joseph, the carpenter.
'Why would this be important?' I wondered, until I noticed a common theme in the records of their lives.
I chose to read account of each, and journaled character blocks for many of them. Surprisingly, HOUSE is mentioned in each man's life. It may have mentioned as his whole household, or a father's house, but in each scenario, God instructed righteous living within the frameworking of a "house".

With this as my frame, I made an easy outline to help me remember the principle played out in each life. Then, I filled in doodles and arrows for time passed.



So, here is my simple run-through of the legacy of HOUSE...

Abram.........House of FAITH
Isaac...........House of FEAR

Jacob..........House of FORTUNE
Judah..........House of FAILURE
Perez...........House of FOREIGNERS
his sons....House of FORCED LABOR
******* 400 years of silence ****
Salmon......House of RESCUE
Boaz......... House of REDEEMED
Jesse..........House of RIVALRY
David........ House of RIGHT DEVOTION
******* God's HOUSE of Worship  **********
Solomon......House of DEDICATION
Rehoboam...House DIVIDED
 his sons...House of DISTAIN
Ahaz...........House of DESECRATION
Hezekiah.....House of DISPLAY
his sons...House of DEFECTION
Josiah......House of DISCOVERY
his son.....House of DENIAL
his son.....House of DEFEAT
his son.....House of DEMOLISHING
his sons...House of DISPLACEMENT
*********************************************
Zerubbabel..House of DESOLATION
    his sons...House of DISGRACE
    his sons...House of DISPAIR

+++++400 years of HOUSE OF DEAFENING SILENCE+++++++++

Joseph......House of DREAMS
a carpenter who is asked to build a temporary house for God's beloved SON.
Jesus........House of DELIVERANCE

"I will come again and RECEIVE you unto myself that where I am, there you may be also."
 *************  SPIRITUAL WORSHIP **************************
And as we wait..."I appeal to you, therefore, by the mercies of God, present your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship". 
OR 
"Do you not know that your body is a temple [dwelling place] of the Holy Spirit within you, who you have from God? You are not your own for you were bought with a price.
So glorify God in your body".[BET] 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Who is boasting on You?

My reading in The Daily Light abruptly stopped at these words...
"my feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside". 

Wow. Imagine saying this in your SMALL GROUP when asked about your week.
In most "christian" circles today, those words would be met with scorn. Rebuke would follow, some being appalled at the pride and boasting, and perhaps even Bible verses would be thrown to refute the reality of anyone standing firm with such a testimony!
Discussion and questions dispute our ability to follow closely in His steps, lecturing often on how our weakness causes our feet to turn aside from His Way!
Afterall, they say, "we're only human"!

These constant opinions often puzzle me for they are argued by those who have been promised the Presence of the Comforting Guide, constant and continual, and One who is "able to keep them from stumbling".
To many, "Stand firm in their faith" becomes wishful thinking, and it is obvious there is not the applied belief in their God who IS "able to keep them from stumbling" (Jude 24).
Yet we read this shocking testimony from an Old Testament character, from an account which happened long before the Law was given, ages before the Cross claimed victory, or even the Covenant of promise. He stood without the Guide and Power who is given to believers today. In his testimony, Job saw through eyes of faith God's declaration, cry of Victory, and he stood firm in his faith, knowing for sure he saw reality.

Just as many times we find ourselves in a circle of more worldly wisdom, Job was surrounded by more human experience and educated knowledge. He faced the same accusations thrown around today when someone stands firm in faith.

I found it imperative for me to read the full account of Job in one sitting, recording repetition of advice, and folly. As I read his story, I also found an:
in spite of a circle of friends who scolded, rebuked, reproved, and basically corrected Job.

They fired every shot of humanism with arrows of pragmatism, relevance, comfort, experience, happiness, moderation, obligation and even personal responsibility.

This ancient man stood firm in his Faith. In his saddest moments when companionship would have been refreshing, he was verbally rejected by "friends". When comfort could have been extended, he was corrected and rebuked by elites and youth alike. Yet, Job held firm to faith.
And...
God boasted of him!

The Scriptures tell us that "powers and authorities in heavenly places" present themselves before the LORD where God boasts to his enemy about his servant!!

That is so awesome. I wonder how often this scene plays out in heaven today! Here is now the scene I believe described in the New Testament:

Ephesians 3:10 "...so that through the Church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
This was according to the eternal purpose that He has realized in Christ Jesus our LORD."
From Job, I learn the dangers of opinions, and determine to build my faith in Christ alone through the Word of God given to me. I've learned to say "Give me Bible." because:

Misleading Lesson Prep for Small Group 

Comforters distort God and falsely declare...

1. God is hard task master, unable to please, full of wrath, ready to punish.

2. God is only known through life's experiences and physical explanations, therefore, rely on perceptions.

3. God will exact less than what we deserve because he knows we're human, so just try to do your best, realizing perfection is unreasonable.

Each "friend" of Job's ends his piece of advice seasoned with "hear, and know it is for your own good"... 5:27, 8:21, 11:15-19

Although each argument sounded plausible, Job refused to turn aside and doubt God.

Testimony printed to carry everywhere with me

Very weary of their comforting advice,
Job stood firm and testified...
He had a Redeemer.
He had a witness before God, testifying for him.
He knew he would see God for himself.
He knew he was upright and that his hands were clean, making his strength stronger.
He knew his God watched the way he chose... and
He knew when his God's purpose was fulfilled, he would be shining as gold.
Job stated firmly the substance his FAITH held, in unseen evidence.

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen."  Hebrews 11:1

Discipline: The Glad Surrender

I find reading for personal development opens the door for the Holy Spirit to bring Scriptural truth into my spiritual walk with my Lord, Jesus Christ.
Such is this small book I chose from Elizabeth Elliot, one of my faith heroines. Not many in our modern culture appreciate this topic, but for me, it has cemented some conclusions already drawn from my own personal biblical studies.

Although, Elizabeth has trekked many miles through authentic jungles, it was her consistent pilgrimage with her Savior that drew me to DISCIPLINE: The Glad Surrender. Her character and lifestyle lured me to learn more from her writings. Enduring stories of physical pain, trials, and suffering, yet leaning toward surrender in gladness made me know certainly that she spent many journey hours on her knees, asking for wisdom and the measure of her Savior's grace. Lessons in God's grace taught her patience and endurance. Gladness is her triumphal cry of victory. A gladness found surrenderng to discipline. This is the victory I also want to be my legacy.

I thank my Lord for servant examples who have left footsteps for me to follow on this journey. With a humble heart looking for encouragement and affirmation, I believe the Lord led me to open this book of wisdom. I've been discouraged by "hireling" discussions for too long. I needed the wisdom of true disciples to help me discern Truth from the common "sharing" found in most assemblies' circles today. I believe instruction of righteousness needs to infiltrate once again "the household of God, the church, the pillar & buttress of Truth" 1 Tm 3:15, to enable the "call to arms" to be sounded.

Elizabeth Elliot challenges her readers to look beyond this culture of "I believe-ism" to the reality of discipline in genuine Christianity.
To be a Christian in New Testament terms is to be a disciple.  More than 'just getting wet', one must die and be raised to "walk in newness of life". It is the one who has been "placed under orders", or disciplined. We have a Savior who not only died to save us from the penalty of our sins, but also he saved us from our sins. We cannot hang on to "unrighteousness and worldly passions" (Titus 2:11-12) and think we are following Him. We cannot barter and change the definitions of righteousness, His forgiveness, discipleship, and discipline; while holding onto personal wants, comforts, preferences, SELF-absorbtion and continue to think we are "approving what pleases God".

Jesus said, "If any one desires to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Luke 9:23

"I cannot be saved from my sins unless I am also saved from myself, so Christ must be "commanding officer" of my life." Elizabeth Elliot
I have been placed "under orders".

It is the believer's response to God's call.
It is his career and his response to the Creator.
It is reality.

Little is Much when God is in it...

Sometimes, the very things we think are simple and mundane daily chores are what actually influence others. It is often the little things that give God’s people godly influence. 

In the novel, Miriam by Mesu Andrews, I read of a wonderful biblical heroine who was constantly helping the sick and wounded. She cared for her elderly parents, meeting their physical needs, encouraging moments of victory when defeat was inevitable, and soothing their decaying bodies during tough times. All the household tasks of daily activities fell to Miriam, and she did them naturally, discretely, and with much love and care for her family.

She was a kind neighbor who constantly looked for ways to bless, lift up, encourage, point others to her God, "El Shaddai". As her people, the Hebrews, lived and served the Egyptians, cultural practices caused her to caution them in correction or instruction so they would remain faithful to their God. She spent quality time with younger ones trying to mentor their hearts toward the God. She initiated conversations to help loved ones see the effect of their choices. She did all these little things as naturally as breathing, loving the inner relationship she shared with her precious God. 

Unfortunately, at sometime, she had been convinced that her worth was found in the big things. She held tightly to El Shaddai’s as hers alone. She believed her position gave her prestige over others because He had chosen her. She believed only big splashes of visions and dreams had the power to influence people. Elevated importance was hers because El Shaddai spoke to her alone. She proudly held herself aloof as one who could physically “feel” the Presence of God. 

Anyone could do the "little things" in chores, meals, laundry, shopping, and even visiting neighbors. Because her heart was tuned only to the big things, she needed to learn that “little is much when God is in it”.

Author, Mesu Andrews, did an excellent job in dialogue. Miriam had several with other characters showing her influence and love. Also, the thoughts Miriam secretly verbalized to the readers were questions many face in their daily routines.  

I enjoyed the heart provoking "God-silences" Miriam experienced and her searching for what “used to be” as she struggled to accept the newness freedom offered.

El Shaddai demonstrating his love in tangible ways to her, teaching her little by little to accept His perfect Way caused me to marvel at the mercy and grace we experience from our loving God. He patiently showed her to accept every touch from Him as big and purposeful for His glory and as his daughter, she was worthy.

As she grew in her understanding of Yahweh, Miriam learned to “feel” the Presence of God in the people of God, the servant of God, a brother, a good friend, and even the younger followers. Her heart began to recognize God’s love for her came through the work He did in others.

Throughout the transition from slavery to freedom, Miriam is challenged to consider Yahweh from other people’s perspective. Her God moved her from visions/dreams to listening to His spoken word through the mouth of her brothers, Moses and Aaron. By choosing Moses to lead, with Aaron in second command, Miriam learned vital life lessons of God's greatness, and how He is working in the lives of others to grow faith. She learned to accept their intimacy with Almighty God and to follow behind when they were given commands to move forward.  

And finally, Miriam learned the vital role God asked. She was to work together with other servants of the living God in order to bring His people to the Promise Land.

Sharing Her God

I'm so excited to be a part of this scavenger hunt blog hop in celebration of the launch of Mesu Andrews' second book in her Treasures of the Nile series, Miriam!

I realize most of you are probably already "on the hunt", but if you just happened on this page first, you'll want to hop on over to the start of the hunt at Mesu’s blog and then you'll finish your journey at Mommynificent.com. At the bottom of this post, you can find the full list of stops for the entire hunt. Between March 15th and 20th, click on the next link, head over to the page, meet a new book-lover, and read their thoughts about Miriam. Somewhere in each post there will be a single word that is in BOLD AND ALL CAPITALS. Write it down. (The words “Home” and “Good Luck” are not secret words for anyone.)

Then, go to the next stop. That post will also have a word that’s bolded and capitalized. You will need to visit all 14 blogs as each one will have a word that you need. Once you reach the end and have found all the words, you will have found an inspirational quote from the book Miriam. There are 14 words in this quote. Enter the quote into the Rafflecopter on the last stop and you will be entered to win a Kindle Fire from Mesu Andrews! (Open to U.S. residents only)

If you have any questions, get lost, or experience any technical difficulties, you may email Tina at tina{at}mommynificent{dot}com for help.

Now, let's talk about this fantastic book!

About the Book

Title: Miriam

Author: Mesu Andrews

Series: Treasures of the Nile, Book 2

Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Publisher: WaterBrook Press

Print Length: 384 pages

Summary from the publisher: At eighty-six, Miriam had devoted her entire life to loving El Shaddai and serving His people as both midwife and messenger. Yet when her brother Moses returns to Egypt from exile, he brings a disruptive message. God has a new name – Yahweh – and has declared a radical deliverance for the Israelites.

Miriam and her beloved family face an impossible choice: cling to familiar bondage or embrace uncharted freedom at an unimaginable cost. Even if the Hebrews survive the plagues set to turn the Nile to blood and unleash a maelstrom of frogs and locusts, can they weather the resulting fury of the Pharaoh?

Enter an exotic land where a cruel Pharaoh reigns, pagan priests wield black arts, and the Israelites cry out to a God they only think they know.

My Thoughts about Miriam by Mesu Andrews

One of Mesu Andrew's best!

For pleasant leisure, I often choose biblical fiction. I love to consider biblical facts from another person's perspective, and seeing the research behind this book reveals Mesu Andrew's love for truth. I desire to continue growing spiritually and through this underlying base for her books, I find Mesu on this same pilgrimage.

In Miriam, I felt drawn numerous times into the inner thoughts of a biblical heroine who desired to closely follow her God, yet constantly tried to edit through prayer how she thought His WILL should work on behalf of His people, Israel. 

Throughout the transition from slavery to freedom, Miriam is challenged to consider Yahweh from other people’s relationships with Him and His personal call on their lives. Over her lifetime, she had become comfortable loving El Shaddai, yet now God had introduced himself to her brother, Moses, as Yahweh, a God of action and promise. Instead of an inner secret love relationship with her God that commanded others to respect her, God was now speaking through actions that were terrifying and conflicting with her envisioned love. Besides struggling with God's plan through other servants, she also grappled with the belief that He was asking too much of them. 

As she grew in her understanding of Yahweh, Miriam learned to “share” in a whole new way what living in His Presence really meant. For her own spiritual development, she opened her heart to share her God with others, a new leader and servant of God, a brother, a good friend, and even the younger followers. Her heart began to open to God’s love for her through these which helped her begin to accept His power and miracles as a bigger God than she had imagined. Gratitude filled her heart as she learned to appreciate the work He did in others.

So, she may have gained prestige as the first prophetess in Israel, speaking for God through visions or dreams, but she finally realized Yahweh had chosen a path of submission and obedience which would outwardly reflect her love for Him.

Although a character in ancient Israel's history, Miriam speaks today to those who are on their own spiritual pilgrimage from sin slavery to the freedom in Christ.

About The Author

Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes, Love's Sacred Song, Love in a Broken Vessel, In the Shadow of Jezebel, as well as two books in her Treasures of the Nile series: The Pharoah's Daughter and Miriam. Winner of the 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author, she has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture, bringing the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington.

Mesu's Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

Stops on the Scavenger Hunt

1. Mesu Andrews
2. A Holland Reads
3. Mother of Three
4. Just A Second
5. Grace and Glory
6. Angela Arndt - Joy on the Back Roads
7. God's Peculiar Treasure Rae
8. What If
9. Carole Towriss
10. Kate Hodges, Storyteller
11. Backing Books
12. Creative Madness Mama
13. Climbing to the High Calling
14. Mommynificent

Win Both Treasure of the Nile Books

WaterBrook Press has given me permission to give away one copy of each of Mesu's Treasures of the Nile novels to one lucky winner so to enter to win your own copies of both The Pharoah's Daughter and Miriam, all you have to do is leave a comment below. (Open to U.S. residents only.)

Fully convinced that He is ABLE...

"I know whom I have believed and I'm persuaded that HE is able..."
Am I truly persuaded?
Is my God ABLE?
In a culture that constantly ambushes my mustard seed faith - 

Scripture declares...
1. He is able to DO MORE than you ask or imagine. (Eph 3:20)
2. He is able to MAKE all grace ABOUND to you (2 Cor 9:8)
3. He is able to HELP them who are being tempted (Heb 2:18)
4. He is able to SAVE them who draw near to God through Jesus Christ (Heb 7:21)
5. He is able to KEEP you from stumbling & (He is able to) present you faultless (Jude 24)
6. He is able to GUARD what has been entrusted (2 Tim 2:12)
7. He is able to BRING everything under His control & by that same power 
               transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Phil 3:21)

As I edited this post, a friend posted this on FB as her
"unofficial life verse"

Jesus asks...
"Do you believe I AM ABLE to do this?"
                        Yes, LORD!
"According to your faith will it be done to you."   (Matt 9:28-29)

I love when the Holy Spirit uses someone to affirm what He just pointed out to me from Scriptures!

Just look at this verse...(Thank you for putting this on FB today, Mandy!)
Wished you were strong in your faith?
"GIVE GLORY to GOD!!
"AND his faith grew stronger as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that HE is ABLE to do what HE had promised." Rom 4:20-21

and I sing...

"To God be the glory, great things He has done! 
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son. 
Who yielded His Life an atonement for sin, 
And opened the life gate that all may go in!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,      
to every believer the promise of God;                   
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things he has taught us! Great things He has done! And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son. But purer and higher and greater will be our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see! 

Delight to show MERCY

There are so many verses in the Psalms that speaks of David's delight in the Lord...
We're instructed to delight in the Lord (Ps 37:4, 11, 23; 40:8) and delight in His Way. (Ps 37:23), and delight in his Word (Jer 15:16).

And although, we often think we're doing just that because we love Him, there are too many times when joy or delight seem lacking.
We often feel the weight of life's burdens, conflicts, suffering, seriousness, and even lack of godly knowledge causing weariness to outweigh our delight.
Our focus becomes blurry when we try to "set your mind on things above" because we're too busy, or working hard without relying on His Power. Even allowing our hearts to break over the things that break the heart of God can rob us of His delight if those things take our eyes off our Savior.
We struggle with the cares of others around us.
We rise up in anger at injustice and corruption.
We yell our opinions and demand our way.
We look for ways to comfort and ease pain. We try to fix everything and be in charge.
We want to look good.
We're concerned with actions and choices made by others that affect us and our loves.

So, this month, wanting my spirit to wallow in His delight, I began praying...

"Lord, turn my heart to delight in YOU.  
Please fill me with your delight! 
Let me experience 'fullness of JOY in your Presence!"
(I really believed God would fill my life with so many good things that it could only be a delight to awaken each day! I looked for pleasant times and hung out with the lovely. I constantly checked my 'thankfulness'...but,
Unfortunately, I kept being ambushed by the hard, tough times, and the ugly.
I was a little confused.
What was hindering this wonderful desire in me? Wouldn't God be pleased to do this for me?
Why was finding delight so hard?)

This morning, my devotional time led me to Micah 7:18-19
"Who is a God like YOU, who pardons sins and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? YOU do not stay angry forever but DELIGHT to show MERCY."

And me? 
Am I imitating the likeness of Christ as God has purposed for me...
"to be conformed to the image of his Son..." (Rm 8:29)
I began looking for any occasion to show mercy. I concluded that if I truly wanted to delight in the Lord...I needed to allow His Holy Spirit to conform me...to be like Him.
And he just declared "I delight to show Mercy". (Micah 3:18)
Now, I'm smiling as I reflect on my day and found little pieces of given mercy gave me pleasure. 
Whether it was filling my FB opinions with grace, 
texting with friends, or just greeting strangers and store clerks,  
I realize showing Mercy is quite the delight!

Miriam Scavenger Hunt Rules

I have the privilege of being a part of the launch team for Mesu Andrews' newest book, Miriam, the second installment in her Treasures of the Nile series. Several of us on the team decided to get together and have a scavenger hunt and giveaway to celebrate the book's release. We want to invite you to be a part of the fun next week!

From 1am Eastern (US) time on March 15th, the book's release date, until 11:59pm on March 20th, there will be a scavenger hunt with stops on 14 different blogs!

You'll start at Mesu's blog and finish your journey at Mommynificent.com. At the end of each post, you’ll find links to all of the stops in the hunt. Between March 15th and 20th, click on the next link, head over to the page, meet a new book-lover, and read their thoughts about this fantastic book. Somewhere in each post there will be a single word that is in BOLD AND ALL CAPITALS. Write it down. (The words "Home" and "Good Luck" are not secret words for anyone.)

Then, go to the next stop. That post will also have a word that’s bolded and capitalized. You will need to visit all 14 blogs as each one will have a word that you need.

Once you reach the end and have found all the words, you will have found an inspirational quote from the book Miriam. There are 14 words in this quote. Enter the quote into the Rafflecopter on the last stop and you will be entered to win a Kindle Fire from Mesu Andrews!

In addition, each blogger will be running their own giveaway of a set of paperbacks of Mesu's two Treasures of the Nile books - The Pharaoh's Daughter and Miriam!

If you have any questions, get lost, or experience any technical difficulties, you may email Tina at tina{at}mommynificent{dot}com for help.

Good luck and have lots of fun!

Higher Ground

We left our favorite tropical island and headed north to a mountain resort in SE Asia to spend a week with like-minded people needing refreshment and relaxation.

Join the group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/989210794470089/

My time has been sweet, although alone most of the time. I'm along for this journey as grandmother and staff wife.
I'm able to tend a sleeping baby by sitting quietly on the patio and then, finish the morning strolling through a Botanical Garden waiting for baby's mom to return from class.
All this quiet time in the Creator's beauty gives me time for special reflections on passages read in the Daily Light on the Daily Path, a devotional I chose for 2016.
"And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit..." Eph 1:13 and also, Col 1:27
Not only did his mercy forgive my sins on a cross, He also INCLUDED me in Christ and MARKED me in Him with a seal....
forever.
I am never alone.
I am in Christ.

I serve an awesome living God who calls me by name!

So now, I sit on a patio overlooking an in-ground pool which is much too cold for my preferences. It has a gorgeous setting of red-necked palm trees and tropical floral bushes combined with the reflection of the light blue sky dancing on it's surface. A soft breeze moves the wisps of hair around my face, and the red sweatshirt is just enough to ward off the morning chill.
I find such peace in this solace and enjoy such sweet fellowship in His Presence!

Our pilgrims' manual reminded me of our reason for ministry...God's mercy. We're simply here by His mercy to "lift feeble hands in praise, strengthen weak knees in prayer and encourage fearful hearts in practice" (Words in italics are my outline)

I have the wonderful ministry of sharing God's mercy!1 Peter 1:3ff
Relishing His Presence constantly and studying his Word, I'm renewed and refreshed, ready to go and encourage others..."Thus says the LORD, "Let your hands be strong, you who ...have been hearing these words of the prophets..." Zech 8:9

Deep in this thought, I gazed toward the horizon just in time to see a balloon lifted into the sky. It tugged at my homeward bound heart, causing me to look higher to the clouds. Not only has my Living God given me mercy, and sealed me with His Promise, He has also given me a blessed Hope of even Higher Ground, seated with Him in the heavens. Ephesians 2:6

So, we may have traveled to higher ground where the air is cooler and humidity lighter, but my heart also recognized my
longing to an even higher calling.
I'm still pressing on to "Higher Ground"...

My voice lifts in praise, filling tropical beauty

Someday soon...Luke 21:27

with the melody...
I'm pressing up to higher ground
New heights of joy in Him are found
Still praying as I'm homeward bound
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground.

Lord, lift me up and help me stand
By faith on Heavens table land
No higher plain than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on Higher Ground.

As the Eagle...

In a desert land God found him [Jacob]. in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. 

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Praise erupts and we chirp like baby birds when all our "needs" are met, keeping us snug and warm, well-fed, comfortably providing for without any effort of our own. Born desperate into a barren and howling wasteland, we weakly thank God for his Son's rescue, but determinedly live as going it alone, making our own choices. We seldom consider His continued loving involvement, especially in mundane daily activities. We never would admit it, but secretly, we think we deserve happiness. We're unable to see happiness is really based on feathers not being ruffled.
We like being safe, not now so much, but for that far away future.

But these words captured my thoughts...

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As an eagle stirs up its nest - - - to make its young test strength of wings.
hovers over its young --- constant & loving daily, moment by moment care
spreads its wings to catch them --- knows their weakness and learning skill level
carries them on its pinions --- carries them on HIS own strength

LORD! Have you stirred the nest in my life to encourage me to fly? To strengthen my faith?
Because of your promise, I know I'm forever in your Presence. I love the idea that you are hovering nearby, guarding me as the apple of your eye, but are you also challenging my faith to action by stirring the nest?

These thoughts are too wonderful for me to grasp! You stir up my nest! Your Word just revealed to me what is so often pushed away by whining and complaining over a circumstance. You want me to know it is YOU caring for me, stirring and testing me when my comforts are

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stirred up. Each little conflict, hurt, decision, circumstance, relationship is really you as you teach me to fly!
Do I believe?
Is my faith genuine?
How trusting is my faith?

I get a little nervous when the nest shakes! But, You have my attention, Lord...show me. Use other passages to affirm your Word in me!

"...for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Jms 1:3 
James wrote of this nest stirring as a testing of faith. He believed it would strengthen the resolve of our faith, solidifying our stand and moving us toward maturity.
Could this actually read..."there must be a stirring of the nest as you learn to stand stronger?

Peter says not to be surprised when the nest shakes..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you (stirring your nest) to test you, as though something strange was happening to you...after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, (hovering nearly) who (shakes the nest) has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will HIMSELF restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you".(as you feel the mighty everlasting wings lift you up on His pinions) 1 Peter 4;1;, 5:9

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul tells us that we can help with God's stirring by "truly judging ourselves",  exercising personal discipline in training for godliness? 1 Tim 4
And there are so many other passages on this strengthening of wings...

I picture a little eaglet perched on the edge of the nest as it rocks and teeters. He squawks his complaints and flaps little wings in disgust, nervously glancing at the height of the drop, the open space; focused on the fall, and so many other issues. He longs for comfort, the strength of larger wings, the snugness of a stable home, so, he grips more securely to the nest's temporary straw rim and squawks again, even louder!
Where is the love he has experienced in the past?
Where is that constant care that he commonly felt at his littlest peep?

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Eagles live in barren, deserted high rises of rocks, but can you imagine a community of nests, all squawking their advice, and sometimes even condemnation?
All knowing how to fly best, which direction to head, the take-off and speed of wing flapping, the reason to fly and definitely, where an eaglet should land.
Maybe all are so engrossed in planning or giving advice, habitually squawking...they just do not see,
or simply forget
there is One who is hovering nearby.

Eagle-life...
Who is the One who chose the day to fly?
Is it One's prerogative to stir a nest?
Do we believe One is hovering nearby, as we tentatively flap our wings?
Are we willing to attempt One's call to fly?
Do we look to One's instruction as we step up to the stirring and challenge?

When we experience a "stirred up nest", to whom do we listen ?
Jude warns us to in these last days..."I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend the faith...for certain people have crept in unnoticed..."

My open Bible greets each day

Dearest Lord! You are my Guard!
I know you are hovering over my stirred up nest.
I'm trusting your hovering.

I'm flapping...flying...falling...

Ahhh...
Your wings are trustworthy and powerful, so ready to swoop down and catch me, carrying me on your pinions!

As I focused on these verses, others came to mind and I realized My Lord's purpose when the nest stirs and faith is tested...
He is conforming me to be in the image of His Son!

And someday, I will soar as an eagle...
"They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint..." Isa 40:31
God never moves without purpose or plan
when trying his servant and molding a man
My father know best and I'll trust in his care
Through purging more fruit I will bear...  [Rejoice in the LORD by Ron Hamilton]

It's such an adventure to flap, free fall, feel the strength of Mighty wings, and then, try again!
I'm learning to fly...to mount up with wings like eagles!!
I'm learning to enjoy this stirring, because my Loving Father is faithfully teaching me to trust Him!

Jesus Led Me All the Way

Majestic peaks penetrate above the clouds

            What an awesome God I serve!
I gazed at the Alps through the window of the plane..
In that same awe-struck wonder I read God's Word of his majestic and continual care for me.
How can my mere words exclaim His benefits, His goodness, His love and His involvement in my life?

Our devotional group has jumped into 2016 with Daily Light on the Daily Path for a year of accountability. A small paragraph each morning and again, each evening, contain only the Word of God in the NIV translation.
The preface states that one doing this exercise for a year, will have covered a doctrinal Bible course. Knowing this, each day, I contemplate which doctrine the passages are pointing me to consider.

The dawn of January 3rd began a day-long blessing of meditating on His Word! I read the assigned passage under the subtitle of Psalm 107:7
"He led them by a straight way". 
Focused on God's involvement in his servant's life, reading moved on to Deuteronomy 32:10-12 and the verbs in this passage erupted praise within me.

Refreshment to my very soul was like a cool drink from the Living Water. He is personally involved in my life with very strong verbs of action. My belief is affirmed because He is trustworthy. As I read the words of this small devotional, memories flooded my mind, gliding over years of walking with Him. These verbs could be the writing my life story.
The Presence of God is very real in me.
He has...
LED, SHIELDED, CARED, GUARDED
From birth, He was introduced to me as "God". I was taught directly from the Bible. The OT stories were examples of what my God would be to me. Then, I was introduced to the Lord Jesus Christ who wanted to bring me to God. He led me to the CROSS where I encountered His deep love. He became my shield and guard and the lover of my soul. In the shadow of the cross, His covenant became more and better with a closeness immeasurably real.

Majestic Clouds of My God's Creation

He constantly...
STIRS UP, HOVERS, SPREADS, CATCHES, CARRIES
He gave me His Spirit. He gave me His glory. His goal is my hope. His preparing will be mine. His promise of His Presence is my constant. He clothed me for all eternity. He sealed me. And so much more!
My God's Word, Jesus Christ, experienced everything I would on earth, being tempted in every point as I am. He redeemed me completely and declared me "Not Guilty.

He continually will
SUSTAIN, MAKE (conform), RESCUE..
Now, He is standing before my God and praying for me. He makes a way for me...a straight way of escape. He equips and empowers me. He instructs and teaches me.

Oh what a wonderful God I have!
And today, with tear-blurred eyes of praise, I proclaim "THANK YOU for YOUR steadfast love!"

God's PURPOSE...SHARED LOVE

Jonathan Edwards, in A Dissertation Concerning the End for Which God Created the World, draws His TRINITY study to the conclusion that God was COMPLETE within himself and had no need to receive anything from us. The only reason God would have for creating us was to SHARE his completeness with us in a relationship of LOVE and JOY.

God's PURPOSE for all time is to share LOVE. The COMPLETE RELATIONSHIP within Himself spilling out of His heart into other hearts. With this purpose in mind, God created man. 

This PURPOSE now draws even children to begin this relationship of completeness with Him.

A Bible study led me to look at 7 recorded lives in the Old Testament. Keeping this purpose as the central theme in all 66 books of Scriptures encourages my search for this COMPLETE LOVE being SHARED. First, in order to reveal this COMPLETE LOVE, God spoke of Himself, His attributes, and His ways through many means. The book of Hebrews states that "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God SPOKE through prophets. In contrast to those times, the author says "BUT"...."in these last days, God SPOKE by his SON, the very essence of LOVE. His WORD spoke LOVE and was seen in the flesh (John 3:16-18). 

Nothing more needed to be spoken. His ultimate LOVE spoke. In these last days, God SHARED His Beloved Son - LOVE came into the world. LOVE came to His own people and LOVE came to those who would receive Him, God's LOVE. Jesus is God's last SPOKEN WORD, made in the flesh, and the complete Trinity SHARED LOVE.  

God's PURPOSE is never thwarted. 

Each OT example depicts an aspect of God's purpose of SHARED LOVE and a red cord connects them all to the ultimate Grace that would shed LOVE'S blood in order to complete His SHARED LOVE.

Isaac (Genesis 17:19) is the SON OF PROMISE

God PROMISES Abraham a son, a SEED, in his old age who would inherit God's favor through a blood sacrifice. Nothing Abraham does in life guarantees completeness, so he dies looking forward to a city where it would be completely SHARED. God's purpose would be completed in His Son. Through Abraham, all the nations on earth would be blessed. Isaac was born and the lineage of grace, God's PROMISE, began... 

Joseph (Genesis 37:5-11) is the SON OF PILGRIMAGE

A pilgrimage took the great grandson of Abraham into a world where he became one with foreigners to save the promised SEED from drought and famine.  Depicting the spiritual condition of mankind in the world, God's purpose of SHARED LOVE led Joseph through a world of sorrow, pain, and rejection. He blessed many by extending grace to those who rejected him as a shadow of God's SHARED LOVE. John 1:14 describes the pilgrimage God's Purpose would make in order to SHARE LOVE to an impoverished sinful world. The Promised SEED would became a man, blessing many by extending grace to those who rejected him. 

Moses (Exodus 2:1-10) is the SON OF PLACEMENT

Through obedience to pagan law, a beautiful son was placed in deep waters because hope in God's PROMISE of SHARED LOVE led believing parents to see beyond the ordinary. A prepared Moses was placed at the front of an exodus, looking for a promised land where a people would enjoy the SHARED LOVE of a Living God. Moses' countenance glowed with God's placement of glory each time he was enveloped in God's SHARED LOVE. 

Samson (Judges 13:1-5) is the SON of POWER

God's purpose of SHARED LOVE empowered Samson to thwart oppression with godly strength so that a chosen people would once again experience the SHARED LOVE of God's care.

Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11; 3:19-21) is the SON OF PRAYER

A young woman  pleads with God for a small touch of SHARED LOVE given in a son. God responds in grace and this small gift of His SHARED LOVE teaches purity and obedience to a chosen people. Through this young man's life, God SPEAKS the holiness of his SHARED LOVE requires the perfect atonement sacrifice. By his SHARED LOVE "one sacrifice would perfect (complete) those who are being sanctified"  (Hebrews 10:14)

David (1 Samuel 16:1, 11:13) is the SON OF PREEMINENCE

God's Promise of SHARED LOVE led Abraham's SEED's lineage to be seated in authority on the Throne of Grace. His SHARED LOVE in relationship with a young shepherd boy gave David preeminence, lovingly seating him on a throne with triumph over all his enemies. David was a man after God's own heart. shadowing SHARED LOVE's time of ruling with righteousness and justice. A time when every knee will bow and every mouth will confess that God's SHARED LOVE is the LORD.

Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:4-10) is the SON OF PREDICTION

God chose to use a life to predict the consequence of rejecting SHARED LOVE. All blessings end in the refusal to SHARE leaves only a judgment of separation from Love. His warnings taught hard hearts to return to God's SHARED LOVE and find GRACE. The messages preached by Jeremiah warn and plead. Completely overwhelmed by God's Presence in SHARED LOVE causes Jeremiah’s heart to weep and lament the sinful condition of rejection. His heart breaks for the city that will also witness the tears of God's SHARED LOVE longing to draw them by GRACE into arms of protection and care.  

John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-17) is the SON OF PREPARATION

"Make straight the paths of the LORD" this young life shouts! 

He was a voice crying in the wilderness, begging chosen people to turn and REPENT, which would prepare their hearts to receive God's GRACE given in LOVE about to be SHARED COMPLETELY in the flesh. 

From this time on, God SPEAKS completely in the body of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God is among men in HIS SHARED LOVE. 

Through each highlighted character of the OT, a the red cord of the SHARED LOVE connects man to a Living and Loving God. 

Ultimately, that red cord sheds blood from the only begotten LOVE in the resisting of sin, yet atoning for many. (Hebrews 4:12). God's PURPOSE of SHARED LOVE is fulfilled once and for all time by LOVE'S LIFE sacrificed on a cruel cross of shame. 

GRACE SHARED the ultimate GIFT of LOVE and the world went dark.

SHARED LOVE cannot remain in a dark grave. 

God brought from the dead His SHARED LOVE.

Now, His SHARED LOVE resides in all those who receive His GRACE. 

His LOVE is complete in them and they are COMPLETE in His SHARED LOVE. 

And just like HIM, they SHARE LOVE. 

It cannot be stopped, thwarted, pushed aside. 

God's Purpose continues forward in SHARED LOVE...