Faith crushes worry!

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. Matthew 6:31

 

As I walked up to the cashier in a tiny coffee shop I frequent for breakfast, I picked through the coins in my purse, trying to find quarters to cover the cost of a sandwich and coffee. I sighed on my way back to the car, the cost of living is very high and like most people, everyday expenses eat a huge chunk of my salary. When I started my car, I found myself worrying about my future as I had been doing more and more recently. How will I be able to afford a house? What will I do when I am ready to have kids?  I was putting myself in a cage of doubt and defeat. But God, as always, stepped in and comforted my heart with peace and assurance in Him and His power to make the impossible, possible. Jesus’ words always insisted on us turning our attention and focus on God. In this verse He is telling the multitudes to not worry about things of this world. He says do not worry about what you shall eat and drink. He did not say that these things should be ignored, we all know we need to eat to live. But the key word He is using here is “Worry”, do not worry about where your next meal will come from. Stressed about not having a job and not being able to buy food?! Beloved, your Father rained down manna from heaven to feed the Israelites and as they are His children so are we. He will never leave you without. When Elijah the prophet visited a poor widow who had little to nothing, God blessed her “So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah” 1 Kings 17:15-16. God is your provider! Your Jehovah ireh! Your jar will never run out, your supply will never stop as David said “my cup runeth over” God will provide for you, trust Him and see. Do not waste another minute worrying, send up your prayers and thank Him, open your heart to receive what He has for you. He knows what you need and He is ready and willing to give it to you. I’ve seen it happen so many times in my life, a co-worker being tipped money for no reason, allowing them to buy lunch, finding an extra five dollar bill in my purse or someone giving a friend of mine clothes when they really needed it. It happens everyday, pray in the morning and expect God to show up, He will honor your faith and will exceed your expectations.

 

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for being such a gracious and giving Savior. As with the miracle with the fish and loaves of bread, you are able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask. We pray Oh Jesus for your powerful provision to take over our lives. Thank you for what I have dear God, I am forever grateful to you in the wilderness and in surplus because every good thing comes from you God. I expect good things Lord God and I trust you in the midst of my hardships. Thank you Jesus for the fullness I have in you, in Jesus’ name I pray Amen.

The Morning Watch

The Morning Watch


And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,

Exodus 14:24 ESV

Picture taken during my vacation with loved ones in New Hampshire 

God is ever vigilant, ever watchfully of you. In this verse the Israelites are fleeing from the Egyptians and God has parted the Red Sea to make for their escape. During this time as the children of Israel were leaving Egypt, God had a visible pillar of fire and cloud in front and behind the people constantly, day and night. This was a visual comfort for the Israelites to reassure them of God's presence. The verse says in the morning watch, God looked down. The morning watch as you may know is when someone is posted to guard others in the early morning time, to be observant and to be on the look-out. And when God saw the Egyptians pursuing His people, He sent them in a fury of confusion, sabotaging their efforts to recapture the Israelites. This is the same Lord God who looks over you and fights for your freedom, safety and health. Sometimes these old Bible stories are so familiar to us we loose the real truths nestled between the lines. God in His almighty power looked down from His throne and saw His people in trouble and rescued them. My God, He is a more than a Superhero, He is the epitome of power, love and strength. "The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore" Psalms 121:7,8
He protects us because He knows we need protecting, He considers you to be His child, we are not left alone to fend for ourselves in this wicked world and what a comfort it is to know that! The daily news reports are saturated with crime and natural disasters that strip the world and leave us feeling vulnerable and alone. "If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is refuge - then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent" Psalm 91:9, 10 Those with small children worry about the world that they are exposed to BUT we have God!! God who has redeemed you is a very present guardian, watching over you by His Holy Spirit. Trust in God, cast your cares on Him for He is listening and watching, eager to hear from you. He will protect you from your enemies and shelter you from anyone who wishes you harm. He is our protector and Saviour. In Him we have everything we need.

Dear Jesus, we come to you in a time of turmoil. Our world is full of wars, riots and crime. People do ill to one another and wickedness overflows. But we know that you reign oh Lord and that you see everything and you dispense justice and protection. Protect us as we sleep, protect our loved ones and the precious children. We call upon the Word of God which shows your promise of shelter and we hold true to it. Thank you Lord for looking over us and gracing us with your presence.