Monday, July 2, 2012

Be Strong and Courageous.


Good Morning ladies...yes, it has been awhile. :)

Three plus months without internet...much frustration on my part...much work on Gods part. 
God has been very busy in my life breaking some heart muscles that had become very hard. I would love to say that I did not realize my heart had become that way....but each passing day God was allowing me to see just how hard my heart had become. 

Did I like being that way? Yes and No.

Why yes?....because it kept me from having to deal with any more emotional mess. I just shut down. Do you know the feeling? It is a safe place to be...or so I thought. But after a while... life began to feel like I was trapped in a maze of tunnels located under a dungeon. I was beyond miserable.

It was cold...dark...and it stank! My heart was cold...my sight was dark....and my attitude stank! 
Time out of His light does not allow for growing things. 

 I began to imagine myself standing before God having to answer for having buried the gifts He had given me. Memories of sweet times spent with Jesus began to play themselves over and over in my minds eye. Those memories brought comfort for a bit.....but soon they sparked deep anguish. I knew I had missed so much time with Him. I missed Jesus. I missed being used by Jesus. He was calling. But the strong emotions would come and go and soon I would find myself heading through the door back into the dark.

I was unwilling to bend my knee......... God was not finished breaking me yet.
My time there would not be wasted.

Times in our lives are never wasted when they are placed in His hands.

Sometimes it takes courage to place ourselves in His hands and be willing to move forward. Sometimes when your heart is freshly broken....and you can't stand yourself any longer... you willing look into His face and cry out for help. He smiles tenderly...wraps you tightly in his arms....peace descends. It is good to be home. :)

This morning the Spirit had me turn to the first chapter of Joshua. If you have the time I would encourage you to go and read what our God told Joshua. Joshua was in a position he had never been in before. Moses was gone...and Joshua would be leading the Israelites on the next phase of their journey. Joshua was in need of a word....and our God gave him one.
Be Strong and Courageous.
 Can you imagine how Joshua felt being told that Moses was dead and that the job was now his? Maybe that is why God gave him the same message four times. 
 Be Strong and Courageous.
I think God knew that Joshua was going to face many times when he would be tempted to run....or when he was just fed up and wanted to run. I have been there..... and I was not guiding a huge group of people. :)
Be Strong and Courageous.
This week no matter what you are facing.....the God of Moses and Joshua is with you. If your name has been written in the Lambs book of Life....you are sealed with the Holy Spirit. He will never leave you or forsake you.
Be Strong and Courageous.
This week spend I am asking God to continuously bring this section of scripture to mind....join me if you would like to.
Joshua 1:7-9
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

Love you! We are on this journey together....He is with you...and your sisters are here for you.  Be strong and Courageous!
 

3 comments:

SunnySusan said...

Wow...so good to hear from you!!!!
I have been there too...like most of last year when we moved to be closer to my mom.

Now that we have her settled, we moved back to our church family and Paul's work...so much happier and much more open to God in every way.

I do not like being cold and away from God...I hate it.....I didn't like my attitude either.

Praise God Sharon....He has your back~~~

Sharon Brumfield said...

Susan....so miss sharing here in blogdom! Glad you are up and moving too. I am looking foward to getting back here and sharing life. :)

my little cottage said...

nice and encouraging post...thanks for sharing...looking for to visit more...blessings