A Weekly Walk in the Word

Numbers 13:27-28 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.

To say this week has been crazy would be an understatement. Everything has been canceled allowing us to spend our free time differently. We have a new normal now which is forcing us to slow down. We find ourselves drawing closer to family and closer to God.

As I slow down, I have spent more time in God’s word. This week I have been reading Numbers. Ever since I was a little girl, I had heard the story of how Moses and the Israelites wondered in the desert for 40 years, and how God provided for them, and how they continued to turn from God….. But did you realize that God took their entire assembly to the land flowing with milk and honey at the beginning of their journey? They even sent a group in to scout the area. It was fantastic! Everything they had ever dreamed of. But, they didn’t move forward because they were afraid. They were afraid of the strong armies of the people living in the land. So, instead of moving forward trusting God, they leaned on their own understanding and wondered aimlessly in a desert for 40 years.

What are you afraid of in your new normal? Take time to contemplate your next steps. God is with you. He has brought you to this place in your life. Take the next step! You have nothing to fear when your journey includes the God of Moses.

Hebrews 10:19-25 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Amen!

Praise God for his inspiring words that were relevant yesterday and remain relevant today and always. The more his word is read, the more wisdom is revealed.

John 19:28-30 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

This past week we entered the season of Lent. The time of the year when we draw close to Jesus as we walk along side him on his journey to the cross. We also look at the purposeful life he lived well, while here on earth with us.

I feel called to write. (so thank you to all of you who read the words I write every week) I spent this past week in Colorado with our daughter Hannah. She needed to be in Fort Collins for work events and asked if I would like to meet here. Of course, I said yes! We had the most wonderful week. We talked, laughed and caught up over dinner every evening. And during the day, I wrote. I was given the luxury of writing every day without interruption. I was able to finish my second book “Women Walking In The Word“. It feels amazing to have this important book written.

What has God called you to finish during the short time you have on this earth? Lent is the perfect time to begin taking the first steps needed to complete the work he has called you to do. God bless your journey through this Lenten season.

Exodus 26:36-37 For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen – the work of an embroiderer. Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold. And cast five bronze bases for them.

God instructed Moses with a detailed pattern of how to construct the tabernacle and build its contents with exquisite materials. He chose Bezalel and “filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”

The creative abilities we have been given take the time to develop. I took an embroidery class this past week. These are all opportunities for the Spirit of God to express his artistry through us. God intends for all expressions of art to draw us into deeper fellowship with him. He is the ultimate creator of beauty, and being in his image means we are to create beauty as well to glorify him.

How do you share your creativity with the world?

Matthew 5:43-44  Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Matthew 19:19  Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Luke 6:32  If you love those who love you, what credit is that you you? Even sinners love those who love them. 

John 13:34-35  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 15:13  Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 13:9 and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: Love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to its neighbor. therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Acts 20:28  Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.

What does church look like for you?

Who has been your shepherd?

How has the church impacted your life?

How have you impacted the lives of those who do church alongside you?

May the Holy Spirit be in you as you become the church to others.

Mark 12:41-44  Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”

The peasant widow gives from her scarcity. She is stretching herself, even denying herself because she realizes that the source of her provision is not the coins. Her source is God. She is confident that he will provide. Jesus sees her unselfish, faithful heart and knows her giving is more.

What is your source of provision? Is it the coins in your savings account, your job or processions, or is it Jesus?

Mark 7:5-8  So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with unclean hands?” Jesus replied, ” ‘Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.”

Spending time in the Word is time well spent. I am reading the Bible in chronological order this year with a group from church. The New Testament readings began in the chapter of Mark. Mark teaches how Jesus lived on earth as He walked along side ordinary people, doing extraordinary things. He instructs us to follow Him, not traditions designed by man. Jesus continues to walk among us every day, doing extraordinary things.

Listen to Him.

Learn from Him.

Follow His example.

Psalm 19:1-4  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. 

God is everywhere. Last week we visited our daughter in Scottsdale, Arizona. We took a day trip to Sedona. As we meandered down the road, Hannah said “Mom, do you see it?” And there it was! A simple yet elegant cross set in the red rock formations. It was breathtaking. He hiked up a steep hill to discover Chapel of the Holy Cross. The chapel was small, but the views were huge. They were something from out of this world. The hand of God was evident in that place.

Where have you seen God lately? Share your God sightings with the world!

Psalm 23  The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Earlier this week we received the tragic news below about my cousin’s family. Please pray for healing that can only come from God as Brooke and Hendrik remain in the hospital. Pray for peace and love and strength for this beautiful family……..

Our family has been dealt a huge tragedy today. We received news this afternoon that Eric’s sister Brooke had been in an accident with their 3 children.

This is an unspeakable/unfathomable tragedy.

We lost our sweet nephew James(4) and sweet niece Natalie(2).