God Can Use Anybody

Getting Fear Out Of The Way

Have you ever been afraid to try something?

Yeah, me too.

Several years ago, for one of my milestone birthdays, my husband gifted me with the thrill ride of a lifetime – the chance to ride shotgun in a NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway.

Pretty cool, right? (except I’m not a fan of going fast!)

I was scared to death and my knees were buckling afterwards, but in retrospect, I am so glad that I went for it, despite my initial fears.

Here’s a picture from that day.

There I am scared to death, wondering how I could secretly climb out of that small window before we reached speeds of up to 160 miles per hour.

In retrospect, it’s amazing what we can do when we put our minds to something.

If we can just get past those nagging fears, sometimes we can do remarkable things – the memories of which can last for a lifetime.

From a Christian perspective, just think of the great things we might all accomplish for the glory of God – if we can get our fears out of the way.

God can use anybody!

God Can Use You

Have you ever thought you were just a nobody, worthless to the Kingdom?

If you think God can’t use you, please think again.

Ultimately, it’s not who we are, but who God is.

God can use you.

I love this Psalm of David, with the subheading, “A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.”

God can use you

Excuses Don’t Sit Well With God

The Lord knows your fears, but He is bigger than any one of them.

Remember in Exodus 4, Moses initially didn’t think he could do what God was asking of him – warn the Egyptian Pharaoh to let God’s people go.

Every agonizing fear that Moses had about his speech impediment got in the way.  

He even asked the Lord to send someone else.

The Lord was angry.

11 The Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” – Exodus 4:11-12, (NASB).1

If you’re on a mission within God’s will, He will guide you.

You may feel like a nobody in your own eyes, but God has something greater for you to do.

If you haven’t discovered what that is, ask God for wisdom.

God can use anyone for His purpose

American Evangelist D.L. Moody couldn’t have said it better.

Moses spent forty years thinking he was somebody; forty years learning he was nobody; and forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody. – Evangelist D. L. Moody.2

God can use anyone (or anything) for good, no matter how broken.

I hope this encourages you today.

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. 

2 Quotation from influential American evangelist, Dwight L. Moody. Courtesy of AZquotes.com

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Is There Good News Today?

Is There Good News Today in the World?

there is good news

Yes, there is!

Today, and every day.

Even though the world is dominated by negative stories in the mainstream news media, there’s an antidote for that.

But, you have to do some digging.

Online, that means you have to search a little harder for stories that are uplifting and joyful.

Let me start.

Here’s a recent real headline, for example, that made me smile.

A friend mentioned it to my husband the other day and I had to check it out for myself.

Coronavirus outbreak spurs record Bible purchases: ‘People are looking for hope’ – Fox News, April 2, 2020.  

By the way, a similar headline was also shared on the Christian Post on April 7th of this year.

Bible sales have gone up!

More and more people are turning to the Bible during these unsettling times.

People are looking for real answers today, not a temporary Band-Aid.

We can’t put our hope and trust in so-called experts and politicians who send mixed messages every day.   

Our hope and trust is in God alone.

We Must Keep Our Eyes On Christ

Remember the Lord’s command to Israel through His servant, Joshua.

He is also with us!

In Isaiah 41:10, the Lord’s command and promise to Israel was not, “do not fear, for I am with you [unless there’s a plague.]”

God is our Sovereign Promise Keeper, from biblical times through today’s virus fears.

“Be Strong and Courageous” – let that be our rallying cry in what is ultimately a spiritual battle unfolding in front of our very eyes.

The tender love of God for His servants makes Him concerned for how they feel inside. He wants them to be courageous. Some people think it is okay for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God does not think so.

From this text, [Joshua 1:9], it is clear that our Master does not want us entangled with fears. He desires for us to live without fretfulness, doubt, and cowardice. Our Master does not think as lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are despondent, we are subject to a grievous ailment that is not to be trifled with but instead taken at once to the beloved Physician. – Alistair Begg, Christian pastor and author.2

Time To Dig – There’s Good News Today

Seek out the good news online to get a much-needed break from the bad.

In an earlier post on Delight-in-God, I suggested one option – the website called InspireMore.

There are also some very positive posts on YouTube.

Here’s a sweet video that came up during my searches that I just fell in love with.

I can’t speak the language, but no matter.

This marriage video of a special needs teacher is touching in so many ways.

Here’s a dose of happy for today!

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1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

2 Quotation from Alistair Begg, Christian pastor, author, founder of Truth For Life Teaching Ministry. Web. Accessed 20, May, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/truth-for-life/truth-for-life-may-12-2020.html.

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Keeping the Bible in Context

studying the bible in context

The Importance of Keeping the Bible in Context

Has anyone ever put words in your mouth?

You know, when they take something you’ve said, and twist it into an entirely different meaning than what you intended.

Frustrating, right?

I can only imagine that our Sovereign God isn’t pleased when we do the same thing to Him.

The last thing we want to do as Christians is misuse His words in the Bible.

That’s why keeping the Bible in context is so important.

“Context, context, context,” as they say.

The Bible in Context

the bible in context

When I first started reading the Bible from cover to cover this year, it was a bit of a struggle in the OT portion.

The many ruling kings (some good, mostly bad), the countless geographical references, expansive genealogies, and cringe-worthy barbaric cults were overwhelming to read about at times.

I needed help, and was fortunate enough to find it.

I’d like to share with you a resource I found for studying the Bible in context.

It’s an option you might want to consider, especially when reading through the Old Testament.

A Method for Understanding the Bible in Context

Here’s some simple steps that worked for me:

  1. Maps and photos
  2. Timelines
  3. Context source

Step #1: Visual Guides, Such as Maps and Photos

On your search engine, (I use duck duck go), search for a map of the Bible region or topic you’re studying (the Exodus route, for example).

I saved several colorful maps on my desktop so I can pull them out for easy reference. As a visual person by nature, the maps and photos are extremely helpful.

Step #2: A Kingly Timeline

As you read through the Old Testament, you’ll learn about the many kings of Israel and Judah, as well as other regions. It can be hard to track who’s who in the kingly successions so conduct a computer search for a timeline of the succession of OT kings to help you.  

Step #3: Check Out The Following Website

The following resource is my favorite place for studying the Bible in historical context. You can find it here at https://enduringword.com/.

Go all the way down to the bottom of their landing page.

There, you’ll find a description for almost every verse in the Old Testament, and all of the New Testament.

understanding the bible in context

I started out just using the pastor’s notes which you can find simply by clicking on the name of the Bible book you’re studying.

But, even better:

Click on a green audio icon that you see in the photo above. That click leads you to an engaging expository sermon for at least two Bible chapters a day. Pastor David Guzik’s engaging teaching style brings the biblical events alive as you follow along with him and take notes.

keeping the bible in context

Reading the Bible from cover to cover this year has been an enriching experience.

Every day, I look forward to discovering what God is saying to us through His Word. If you think these steps may be helpful to someone else, please don’t hesitate to pass them on.

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* Enduring Word website – personal computer photo. Courtesy of The Enduring Word Bible commentary, Pastor David Guzik. © Copyright – Enduring Word. Retrieved from https://enduringword.com/

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Sight And Sound Theater Jesus

Sight and Sound Theaters Jesus

Sight and Sound Theater Jesus: Perfect for the Entire Family

Would you like to hear some good news?

Encore! Encore!

The amazing Sight and Sound Theater Jesus event is coming back for an encore performance this Wednesday, May 13th at 8 p.m., CST.

Your entire family can watch this captivating stage production at home, for free, exclusively on the TBN network.

Trust me, you don’t want to miss this!

It’s like being at a Broadway play, but right in your own living room.

You’ll be enchanted as the larger-than-life cast presents a beautiful retelling of some of the remarkable events in the life of Jesus.

I felt truly blessed after seeing it.

Sight and Sound Theater Jesus Reviews

The Sight and Sound Theater Jesus broadcast debuted this past Easter to rave reviews.

Upwards of 3 million people tuned in.

I was so captivated by the show that, afterwards, I started searching on how I could buy the DVD for our personal video library.

Amazing Cast

Sight and Sound Theaters “Jesus” is a grand scale production, featuring large sets, beautiful music, over 40 actors, and all kinds of interesting animals, large and small.

Live animals!

Which begs a question, I had to find out how they pulled this off.

How did they get all of those animals to behave during live performances with a crowd of 2000 people in the audience?

Here’s your answer – a fascinating behind-the-scenes look.

On a personal note, I’ve seen several musical productions, Broadway and otherwise, but this one really captured my heart.

I even have a favorite scene and there’s no hiding it, I cried.

Many voices rising up in praise when Jesus was resurrected still gives me chills.

Felt like Heaven!

# # #

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The Lord Is My Shepherd Forever

Why The Lord Is My Shepherd Forever

The Lord is my shepherd forever

My defender, my protector, the Lord is my shepherd forever

Psalm 23 has always been dear to my heart.

The entire psalm talks about trusting our Savior – as an illustration that we can rest in Him, no matter what life brings.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”– Psalm 23, (NASB).1

In fact, history tells us that a shepherd will do anything to protect his sheep, even lay down his life against a predator.

The Lord is my shepherd

The Lord Is My Shepherd Song

With the comforting picture of Jesus as our Savior in mind, I recently found a beautiful Christian song to share that I have literally listened to over and over.

Turn it up if you can.

The song is from Nashville Life Music and it’s called, “Shepherd.”

It really blessed me, and I hope you find it as uplifting as I do for the days ahead.

Make sure you check out their new album, “Here For Jesus” that will release May 15, 2020. In addition, the Nashville Life Music group is nominated for a GMA Dove Award for their song, “My God.”

Furthermore, here’s a fun fact you may not know: The group started out nine years ago in gospel legend, CeCe Winan’s living room.

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*Opening Shepherd photo is free to use, licensed under under a Creative Commons CC0 License.

1 Scripture quotation is from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. 

2 Quotation from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, Web. Accessed 29, April, 2020. Retrieved from https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/shepherd/. Sheep photo is free to use, licensed under a Creative Commons CC0 License.

 

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