Author: Sarah Young

Worship X Day 6 Just Be Still And Know Already

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 54
Romans 12:9-21
Matthew 5:38-48
Psalm 50
Psalm 51

Worship X, Day 6

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It’s off to the races everybody out the door

Jonny Diaz’s song BREATHE filled my head as I began working on this Journey Study, part of a series on Worship. The prompt I was given begins, “The call to be still and know our God…”

Should we read all of Psalm 46, we would promptly be reminded, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, emphasis mine)

If there was ever anyone who desperately needed God as a refuge, it was David, the Hebrew shepherd-boy-anointed-king whose subsequent military victories incited the jealousy of the current king, Saul.

As David penned the words in Psalm 54, our passage for today’s study, he was hiding in an epic game of hide and seek from Saul, who sought to kill him. Hence, David cries out, “God, save me by Your name[!]” (Psalm 54:1)

And, true to Psalm 46:1, God answered David’s desperate plea. David’s life was spared and he declared, “God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my life.” (Psalm 54:4)

As we read this story, we might think David has the right to defend himself and KILL Saul. In 1 Samuel 24, David has the chance to do just that; instead, David spares Saul.

If we look closer at Psalm 54, we better understand David’s uncanny grace for the man who wanted him dead.
David writes, “He [God] will repay my adversaries for their evil.” (Psalm 54:5)

Maybe a song of Moses came to David’s mind as he hid.

In Deuteronomy 32, as the Israelites FINALLY prepared to enter the Promised Land, Moses reviewed their journey in the form of a song, his lyrics deep and poignant.

“Vengeance belongs to Me [God]; I will repay.” (Deuteronomy 32:35)

So David leaves justice in God’s hands.

I’m more familiar with the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans in chapter 12, where Paul repeats Moses’s words. Paul also quotes from Proverbs 25:21-22, where Solomon advised, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink[.]”

Jesus Himself taught this “new” way of living.
“You have heard it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you[.]” (Matthew 5:43-44)

In our wait for fulfilled promises or our search for justice, we can easily get caught up in the chaos. We shout and FIGHT, demanding justice – as WE see fit – be served, right now.

Anyone else’s voice a little hoarse?
Anybody else’s thumbs a little overworked from typing out comments on social media?
Anyone else’s relationships been a little (or a lot) strained?

Maybe we should take a different approach.
Ya know, like Psalm 46 tells us.
“Stop fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)

What if we viewed justice the same way as David?
The God David served is the same God we serve today.
We are assured in Scripture that God does NOT change, EVER.

(Numbers 23:19, Psalm 90:1-2; Isaiah 40:8; Malachi 3:6; James 1:17)

He is forever gracious, compassionate, merciful, and JUST.

Always. (Hebrews 13:8)

If David could offer a sacrifice of praise in response to all God had done, so can we.
Indeed, Paul urges us to do so at the beginning of Romans 12.

In David’s time, God had outlined very specific sacrifices and offerings the Israelites were to make. Additionally, a person could make a FREEWILL OFFERING, voluntarily presenting a sacrifice that was above and beyond what was expected.

Thankfully, we no longer need to make sacrifices for our sins. Jesus died – in our place – for all sin, for all time. Then, He rose again, conquering death and declaring ultimate victory for everyone who believes in Him. He longs for people’s HEARTS, to be in close relationship with us.

We reflect our relationship with God, and HIS character, in the way we treat others . . . especially the ones who aren’t so easy to love.

We make a freewill offering when we don’t complain because the neighbor’s dog poops in our yard. Instead, we write a friendly note and put fresh cookies in their mailbox.

We offer ourselves as a living sacrifice when we don’t blast someone on social media because they voted differently than us. Rather, we invite them over to watch the Super Bowl – because everyone loves chips and salsa.

In the midst of our messy, busy, noisy lives may we quiet our hearts.
May we allow space for our souls to respond to the God who created us and constantly cares for
When injustice consumes the world around us, may we look to our God of justice.
In the stillness, may we see Him, hear Him, and KNOW Him.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship X Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Eden Day 15 Curse To Cure

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 3
Romans 5:12-21
Galatians 3:10-14
1 Corinthians 15

Eden, Day 15

Have you ever started a new book or series of shows, and before the first chapter or episode is over, you are hooked? As the story continues, you envision where the plot will go.

Then, out of nowhere comes a plot twist, and you are left wondering what in the world is happening! You MUST know, so you frantically skim future chapters or episode descriptions to grasp how the writers will redeem this awful thing.

We can do the same thing with the Bible. We may be reading in Genesis for our Journey Study today, but we can flip all the way to Revelation to learn how the story ends. Spoiler alert – Jesus wins!!! We can read other Bible books along the way to see how God has been masterfully weaving together all the details of history.

Each Journey Study in this Eden Theme has been an episode in God’s award-winning story.  Today’s installment is another emotional rollercoaster. (Genesis 3) The juicy fruit that once looked so delicious has fallen from Eve’s hand, dropped to the ground as the first man and woman realized their sin. The knowledge of good and evil left an awful taste in their mouths, and they hid in shame, cowering in fear. Still, God pursued them, graciously seeking them out in His goodness and love. Adam and Eve rebelled, but rather than turn His back on them, God set His redemptive plan in motion.

God wasn’t scrambling, trying to haphazardly repair the shattered pieces of His creation. No, if we look ahead to Ephesians 1:3-10, we see that before we were ever lost in sin, God knew the exact way we would be found. Restoration would come through the blood of His one and only Son, Jesus.

Yes, blood.
The payment for sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
In Genesis 3:21, we read, “The LORD God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and He clothed them.”

We could easily skim over this one line, but it holds so much significance. An animal was killed, its blood shed so its hide could cover Adam and Eve’s nakedness and shame. In the same way, Jesus would one day come in human flesh and take on the penalty of all sin for all time. His blood shed on the cross satisfied God’s just wrath; His holiness and perfection covered our sin. Through His death, Jesus would extend to us the free gift of eternal life. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

Unless Jesus would sacrifice Himself, there would be eternal separation between God and man. God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden, to live out their days under the curse of their sin. (Genesis 3:22-24) This curse continues still, every man and woman born after Adam entering the world is separated from God, dead in our sin. (Romans 5:12-21)

But we are NOT without hope.

Let’s rewind to the scene where God is calling out for Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:8-19) An eerie darkness has crept into the Garden, and slowly Adam and Eve come out from behind the bushes to face their Creator. The serpent is there too, for despite his craftiness, he cannot escape the consequences of his deception. We listen as God doles out curses, first to the serpent, then to Eve, and finally to Adam. In the midst of this heart-wrenching chapter, we find the most beautiful promise.

In the ashes of despair, God plants a seed of hope:

“I will put hostility between you [Satan] and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed [Jesus!].
He [Jesus!] will strike your [Satan] head,
And you [Satan] will strike His [Jesus] heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

With the hope of a coming Messiah, but no exact timeline, every generation after Adam would wait in eager anticipation for this promised One to deliver them from the curse of sin and death.

Satan, not knowing who would deliver the crushing blow to his head, determined to thwart God’s plan of salvation. He honed his skills, cunningly deceiving anyone who would listen as he whispered lies, stirred up doubt, and cast fear. (John 8:44; John 10:10; Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8)

From Genesis to the opening chapters of the New Testament, this spiritual warfare raged on until FINALLY God’s timing is full and Jesus is born! (Galatians 4:4)

Jesus was God in flesh. (Colossians 1:19-23; John 1:1-18)
In taking on human form, He became a second Adam.

Whereas Adam’s (and Eve’s) sin resulted in physical and spiritual death for all mankind, Jesus’ death and resurrection would result in eternal life for all who believe in Him. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

This was God’s plan all along!!!! Jesus Himself would become the Cure for the curse. (Galatians 3:10-14) He willingly shed His blood, covering our sins with His righteousness and making it possible for us to stand before God justified and forgiven, free from all condemnation!! (Romans 8:1)

Every chain of sin, broken!
Our broken relationship with God, restored.
God’s promise, fulfilled.

Now, as we wait for Jesus to return, we live in light of that final victory!
The trumpet will sound, and all those who have died in Christ will be raised to new life, clothed with new eternal bodies, and joined together with God once more, just as God intended in Eden!!! (1 Corinthians 15; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

I can’t wait for THAT episode to release!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Eden Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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Sacrifice Day 5 Don’t Miss The Boat

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 6
Genesis 9
Joel 2:12-13
John 3:16-17
Revelation 21:3-5

Sacrifice, Day 5

Noah and his ark are infamous from infancy onward in American culture, from infants sleeping in rainbow-decorated nurseries to preschoolers scribbling pictures of the ark.

The rainbow reminds, “God keeps His promises.”

We focus on Noah and family safe in the ark, and feel warm and cozy.

We don’t want to consider people being washed away as waters sprang up from the earth while rains rushed down.

So, we make jokes like, “Need a boat? I NOAH guy.”

What happened in Genesis 6-9 is no laughing matter, and though it’s uncomfortable to discuss, I encourage you to stick this out. I pray as we study together today, we will marvel at the gracious faithfulness of God.

Let’s view this story from a VERY different perspective, GOD’s.

“When the Lord saw that human wickedness was widespread on the earth and that every inclination of the human mind was nothing but evil all the time, the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and he was deeply grieved.” (Genesis 6:5-6)

If we’ve ever loved someone deeply, we may understand how God felt. As a mother, my heart breaks when I see one of my children make a bad decision resulting in pain.

One of my favorite books is the Jesus Storybook Bible; I’m often moved to tears as I read to my kids. Lloyd-Jones does an EXCELLENT job of helping us see God’s heart overflowing with a “never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love” for each and every one of us.

From the moment sin first entered the world, God’s LOVE moved Him to act. Yes, He made Adam and Eve leave the garden, but not before He promised one day He would make right all that was wrong.

And from that day forward, God has been at work to restore His broken creation and redeem all that has been lost.

Noah’s cultural setting was grim, and ripe for redemption.

“God saw how corrupt the earth was, for every creature had corrupted its way on the earth. Then God said to Noah, ‘I am going to put an end to every creature, for the earth is filled with wickedness because of them[.]” (Genesis 6: 12-13)

God’s pain-filled heart knew His people would destroy themselves by their own wicked ways. Out of love, He stepped in to stop them.

Mercifully, BEFORE He carried out His just consequence of destruction, He told Noah of His rescue plan, and invited Noah to preach rescue to those around him. (2 Peter 2:5)

In the book of Joel, the prophet describes God’s unrelenting desire for His people to RETURN to Him.

“Even now–
This is the Lord’s declaration–
Turn to me with all your heart,
With fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Tear your hearts,
and not just your clothes,
And return to the Lord your God.
For he is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger and abounding in faithful love,
And he relents from sending disaster.” (Joel 2:12-13)

God WANTS us to choose Him.
But He never forces us to do so.
As Noah obediently built the ark, those around him continued to reject God’s call to return.
It’s as if we watch Psalm 14:1 unfold before our eyes:

“The fool says in his heart, ‘There’s no God.’
They are corrupt; they do vile deeds.
There is no one who does good.” 

Noah received God’s instruction to build a never-before-known ark, and he and his family spent years completing the project. (Genesis 6:14-22)

Perhaps God was giving the people more time to repent.

But no one did.

Finally, in the fullness of time, God’s final instructions came to Noah, “Enter the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you alone are righteous before me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)

Still, for seven more days, God waited. (Genesis 7:10)

Was He aching for someone, even one, to return to Him?

Just as we cannot plumb the depths of God’s love, we cannot know the expanse of His pain at our rejection. The time had come, the Lord’s hand closed the door to the ark, and the floodgates unleashed their justice. (Genesis 7:11-16)

Amidst the destruction, the prophet Joel reminds us God always longs for restoration.

We see evidence of this as finally, the waters recede, and Noah and his family, along with allllll the animals, set foot on dry land. (Genesis 8:15-19)

NOW comes the rainbow, and God’s promise to never again destroy the earth with a flood. (Genesis 9:12-17) Each time we see a rainbow, we can remember God is faithful.

We see His faithfulness and longing for restoration again when God Himself carried out the Ultimate Rescue Plan, sending Jesus to bear the penalty for OUR sins, dying so we could live. (John 3:16-17) He then rose from the dead, conquering sin and death forever!

Jesus has provided the way of salvation, extending His grace freely to all who will accept.

The choice is ours.

Noah’s story ended with a fresh earth and a rainbow, testifying to God’s faithfulness.

For all believers, our story on earth transitions to eternity, to a new heaven and earth where Christ Himself is enthroned with an un-ending rainbow. (Revelation 4:3)

From His throne, Christ declares, “Look, I am making everything new.” (Revelation 21:5)

If you haven’t trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please don’t miss the boat (pun intended). Reach out to someone TODAY and ask how you can be certain of spending eternity in God’s glorious presence.

I can’t wait to feel the warmth of His embrace!

More than anything, I would love for you to spend eternity with me, with JESUS!

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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sacrifice Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
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Waiting Day 10 Once Upon God’s Kairos

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
1 Peter 1:13-25
1 John 3:1-3
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Isaiah 40

Waiting, Day 10

Almost a decade ago, I was introduced to the concept of KAIROS time.
Did you know ancient Greeks used two words, chronos and kairos to describe time?

Chronos time is linear and sequential, the timeline in which we live.

Kairos is a time when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action; the opportune and decisive moment. Throughout Scripture, kairos describes the time in which God exists and moves.

I was profoundly impacted by the reality that God is not limited by chronos time, yet He created a world functioning within it. From the very beginning, He established minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years. (Genesis 1) But we are told in 2 Peter 3:8, “With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” God sees the past, present, and future simultaneously. He has orchestrated how ALLLLL the millions of puzzle pieces of history will come together; He is weaving a beautiful tapestry, a breathtaking masterpiece.

WE, however, see the back of the tapestry with strings tangled and knotted. WE get confused and frustrated, not understanding what is happening or why. Meanwhile, God confidently weaves away, working in His KAIROS time, to bring about plans He established BEFORE the creation of the world. (Titus 1:3)

Today, we have the advantage of looking BACK through the Bible and see all the clues God was providing as people looked FORWARD to Jesus, who would ONE DAY deliver us ALL from sin and death.

One of the most beautiful pictures of this promised redemption was when God rescued His people from Egypt after 400 years of slavery! Leading up to their miraculous exit, God sent 9 plagues to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites; in the midst of the chaos and confusion of the final plague, the death of the firstborn sons, God foreshadowed what JESUS would one day do as the FINAL Passover Lamb. You see, God had told His people to sacrifice their best lambs and put the blood on the top and sides of their doors (forming a CROSS). As the angel of death went throughout the land, God would PASS OVER those covered in lamb’s blood. The sacrificed lamb would die in their place, and they would be saved. (Exodus 11-13)

Fast forward hundreds of years to another Passover festival. That night, Jesus was arrested and beaten, and mocked. (Luke 22:1-23:25) Yet, He remained silent, like a lamb led to slaughter. Jesus, the SACRIFICIAL LAMB, was nailed to a cross, dying in OUR place and paying the price for OUR sins. (Luke 23:26-56) Jesus’ death, precisely on Passover, was no coincidence. God was fulfilling generations of prophecies and orchestrating the tiniest of details at just the right time, His kairos time.

Right before Jesus breathed His last on the cross, He cried, “It is finished!”. (John 19:30) At that moment in the temple, the centerplace of Jewish worship, the curtain separating delineating the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelled, split from TOP to bottom. (Luke 23:44-49) No longer was there a separation between God and people. Anyone could now enter God’s presence, because of JESUS.

For thousands of years, ONLY the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and ONLY on the Day of Atonement. On that day, Israel gathered together and the High Priest offered a sacrifice to pay for the sins of the entire nation. (Leviticus 16) On THIS Day of Atonement, Jesus became the FINAL sacrifice, paying for ALL sins for ALL time. (Hebrews 10:11-12)

Looking back through history all the way to the Old Testament Tabernacle (check out the Tabernacle Journey Theme!)God was giving us glimpses of His Son and the relationship we can now have with Him because of Jesus.

The tabernacle had ONE entrance, where people accessed an Outer Courtyard.
Jesus is THE DOOR, the ONLY way to God.
“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”  (John 14:6)

In the Outer Courtyard was the bronze basin, where priests would wash before approaching God’s presence.
Jesus declared He is the Living Water (John 7:37-39); His blood cleanses us from sin. (1 John 1:7-9)

Within the tabernacle was a smaller tent divided into two sections, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Only priests could enter the Holy Place, which housed 3 items made of pure gold: a table, a lampstand, and incense altar.

On the table was the Bread of Presence.
During His ministry, Jesus revealed He was the Bread of Life. (John 6:35)
During the Passover meal with His disciples on the night of His arrest, Jesus broke bread and announced, “This is My body, which is given for you.” (Luke 22:19)

The lampstand lit the Holy Place.
Jesus is the LIGHT of the world. (John 8:12)
He has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. (Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

Incense was to be continually burning, symbolizing the prayers of the priest, on behalf of God’s people, rising to the Lord.
Today, we have direct access to God, while Jesus, and the Holy Spirit within us, intercede for us! (Romans 8:26-27; Romans 8:34)

Every aspect of the tabernacle points to Jesus.
Glimpses of Jesus are revealed through the ENTIRE Old Testament.
Even during His silence from Malachi to the birth of Jesus, He was STILL working out His purposes in His KAIROS time.

Finally, “When the time came to completion, God sent his son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5, emphasis mine)

God’s timing was PERFECT in sending Jesus to be born in Bethlehem.
His timing was PERFECT in having Him crucified in Jerusalem.

His timing WILL BE perfect once more when He sends Jesus to establish His eternal kingdom. He will make all things new again, restoring the perfection that was broken and lost when sin entered the world in the Garden. (Revelation 21:5)

We may feel God is slow in answering prayers, be it physical healing, adoption paperwork, financial provision, or His final return.

We may grow impatient as we wait.
When waiting seems too much to bear, we can look back through the Bible and see God at work, masterfully weaving a beautiful tapestry to bring about His plans at JUST THE RIGHT TIME.

Maybe not according to OUR chronos way of thinking, but rather in His sovereign, divine, PERFECT kairos timing!

So, as we watch and wait, may we trust and confidently declare with the Apostle John, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

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Don’t miss today’s Digging Deeper!     And we’d love to hear your thoughts from today’s Journey!    Comment Here!

Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Waiting Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!
Click the above image for today’s Digging Deeper!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship!

Terrain Day 1 Canaan & Egypt

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Peter 2:1-12
2 Corinthians 1:20-22
Hebrews 10:19-25
Genesis 12
Numbers 13

Terrain, Day 1

My husband is a teacher, so we take full advantage of his summers “off.”

We invested in a small camper and have used it to travel the United States. We are currently planning a 3-week trip, from Mount Rushmore to Oklahoma City. Each day is planned, the quickest route mapped out, fun sights along the way, our campsites booked, and our meals planned. Thanks to the pandemic, I’ve had an EXTRA year to work out all the details.

I’m already anticipating the Are we there yet?s, the countless bathroom stops, and I’ll be sure to have puke bags ready to distribute for the carsick travelers.

Plan, prep, over-prepare…

Can you imagine how frantic it would be embarking on a road trip of unknown length, requiring unknown supplies, to an unknown destination?

I’m always impressed with Abram’s (you might know him as Abraham) handling of an unplanned journey with PLENTY of detours along the way.

We are first introduced to Abram in Genesis 11, at the end of Shem’s genealogy. We learn Abram’s father lived in Ur of the Chaldeans but set out with his family for Canaan. Instead, they settled in Haran. We’re not told why, but maybe after 4,998 miles (8,043 km), the thought of even one more step was too much.

Abram’s father dies in Haran, and then, when Abram is 75 years old, God calls him to leave his home and all he knows. God doesn’t give Abram many details, directing him to go to the land He will show him. I would have a LOT of questions, and yet, Abram simply went, trusting God.

Abram, his family, servants, and animals head south along the Mediterranean Sea. They travel for 7,586 miles (12,208 km) before reaching Canaan. Can you imagine the smells or the sand (in all the places) or the walking? All the walking.

When Abram finally arrives, Canaanites are in the land, yet God promises Abram the land will be HIS and his descendants’. At the moment, Abram has NO children, but takes God at His word. He builds an altar at Shechem, then moves on to Bethel, where he builds yet another altar, calling on the name of the Lord, before following God’s leading to the Negev, THE DESERT.

And just in time for a famine!!!
Thanks to the food shortage, Abram needs to move, again.
This time to Egypt.
It’s his shortest route yet, just under 400 miles (643 km).

He doesn’t get to stay and enjoy the pyramids for very long before Pharaoh forces him out, and so Abram and company return to the desert. They backtrack to the altar at Bethel, which will become a literal touchstone for the fulfilment of God’s promises.

Before Abram gets too comfortable, he’s forced to split with his nephew Lot and so he’s off one.more.time.
To Canaan.
FINALLY.

God seemed to fill Abram’s journey with one detour after another.
Yet surely, God had a reason, a plan.
As I reread this story, I realized each time God re-routed Abram, He also made, or confirmed, a promise to him.

Genesis 12:1-3 — I will make you a great nation, a blessing to all people
Genesis 12:6-7 — I will give your descendants this land
Genesis 13:14-18 — I will give you all the land you see, and make your offspring more numerous than the dust of the earth

God wasn’t just going to work in Abram’s lifetime, but in the many generations to come.
And when God makes a promise, He keeps it.
Every single time.

Throughout the rest of Genesis, we watch as God works out every detail, faithfully providing for, and protecting, Abram’s family (known as the Israelites). Genesis closes with the Israelites settling in Egypt, a land of plenty, during a famine. The Israelites were sustained by the hope that God WOULD fulfill His promises. They had seen, and experienced, His faithful goodness through the generations, but would that testimony be enough?!

Would it be enough to keep their faith alive as political forces changed and they endured 400 years of slavery in Egypt?
As we start the story of their exodus, we can hear the Israelites crying out in agony to God, desperate for salvation. (Exodus 2:23-24)

Then, we breathe a huge sigh of relief as we read, “God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God saw the Israelites and God knew.” (Exodus 2:24-25, emphasis mine)

If you’ve waited for God to answer a prayer, you understand the growing impatience, the rising doubt, the overwhelming fear that maybe God has forgotten you, doesn’t truly care about you, or a multitude of other lies.

Right now, my family is in the process of adopting 2 boys from Haiti. We have been waiting for over 2 years to be matched with our sons and welcome them home. I would be lying if I said I hadn’t questioned WHY God is having us wait.

Whatever you are waiting for right now, I assure you God has NOT forgotten you.
He DOES see us.
He DOES know our situation.
And He WILL act.

We serve the same God who led the Israelites out of Egypt, through the wilderness, and to Canaan.

Yes He Can, by the sibling group, Cain, reminds me of God’s faithfulness in the past and assures me He’s at work in my life today.
All those miracles God performed for the Israelites are groundwork for US.

And finally, JESUS Himself came to earth and made the blind see, the lame walk, the mute talk. He turned a boy’s lunch into an all-you-can-eat buffet for over 5,000!
THEN, He died and ROSE AGAIN!!!!!

As we look at whatever problem confronting us, we can be SURE God CAN handle it.

May we have the faith of Abram, trusting and following Him without knowing all the details. May we believe He can do the impossible, even if we have to wait to witness it.

May we know beyond a shadow of doubt that God still keeps His promises, even in 2021.

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Ready Day 10 Until The Trumpet Sounds

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Read His Words Before Ours!

1 Thessalonians 4:14-5:28
Ephesians 5:1-21
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Revelation 7:9-17
Revelation 21:1-7

Ready, Day 10

As a mom of 4 girls, I have jokingly shared with friends that I pray Jesus comes back before my daughters hit the lovely stage of life called adolescence. I don’t want to ride that emotional rollercoaster, not even once, let alone FOUR times in a row.

Yet, here I am.  Deep in the trenches of estrogen and girl drama.

I’m still holding out hope for Jesus to make His appearance before my oldest heads to middle school in August. A mom can dream, right?

In all seriousness, I am not sure if there has ever been a time when I’ve longed more desperately for Jesus to return and take me to Heaven.

Surely, I’m not alone.
The past year has been one for the record books on so many levels.

I feel like we’ve all been ravaged in our bodies, minds, and souls.
When trying to describe how I feel, I find words like:
Weak, weary, wounded.
Isolated, alone, afraid.
Confused, uncertain, anxious.
Frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned.

I’m sure you could add to the list.

Hiding and praying for this all to go away isn’t the answer, though.
I don’t believe God has called us to retreat.
No, we can’t withdraw from the war.

Remember, this is exactly what’s going on: an all-out war between good and evil.
As Paul shares in Ephesians, the struggles we encounter are MORE than they appear.

Covid, racial injustice, power outages due to unprecedented weather, unemployment, social isolation, depression, anxiety, political unrest, financial debt, food insecurity, and so much more bombard us from every angle.
The physical and emotional needs are overwhelming.
We could easily forget that these issues, as real and hard as they are,
are NOT the true battles.

We MUST realize they all point to the reality of SIN.
And thus, to our ULTIMATE need for a SAVIOR!

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, Paul reminds believers we have hope in this fallen and broken world.

And it’s not a vaccine or new president or stimulus check.
It’s not acceptance or affirmation or equity.
It’s not financial stability or food security.
It Is JESUS.

Jesus, who died for our sins and made a way for us to have a relationship with God.
Jesus, who rose again and proved He is victorious over sin and death.
Jesus, who will return to take all who accept His free gift of salvation to eternal glory with Him.

HE is our hope who sustains us, no matter what punches the world throws our way.
HE is the truth ALL people need to hear and believe.
HE is the message we MUST share.

Donating food, water, and blankets is helpful.
Fighting for justice and equality is good, and necessary.
Raising money, offering our skills, or sending an encouraging note can be beneficial.

Followers of Jesus should be the first to do these things.
Our love for God should compel us to love the people in our lives.

But if that is all we do, we have failed our neighbors, co-workers, friends, and family members. We may have improved their current situation,
but we have ignored their eternal condition.

I get it.
Sharing the gospel can be scary.
I am personally guilty of not telling people about Jesus, for fear of what they’ll think of me.

I should be so concerned with the devastating reality of someone’s eternal separation from God that I MUST share JESUS.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be able to anticipate Jesus’ return with joy, knowing people in my life haven’t yet accepted Jesus as their Savior.

I don’t want to hear the promised trumpet blast and realize my neighbor, co-worker, friend, or family member will not come with me.

I can’t even begin to imagine how glorious standing among people from every tongue, tribe, and nation will be as we all sing together to worship Jesus. I envision such beauty and peace and joy. My heart swells with longing for that amazing day.

Then, I cringe to think of what the alternative eternal experience will be for those who don’t know Jesus as Savior.  My heart breaks, and suddenly things shift into perspective.

Every day I linger, waiting for Jesus is an opportunity to share my hope for the future with those around me who are lost in the here and now. I will gladly endure 4 rounds of puberty if it means more time to tell people about JESUS!!!

As I read in Thessalonians today, I was challenged like never before.
I don’t want to simply watch and wait for Jesus to come back.
I want to remember I am fighting in a raging war.
I may not know how long it will last, but I do know Who will stand victorious in the end.
And I CAN make the most of the time I am given, and fight well every day I am here.

Will you join me, as Paul urges, and put on your armor and engage in battle
for someone’s soul?

Will you live as a child of the day,
shining your light into the darkness?

How much more glorious will it be then, when we DO hear the trumpet blast, and finally see our Savior face-to-face, knowing we gave our all to share the hope of JESUS?!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

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Worship VIII Day 8 Who Is Like Our God?

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Psalm 71:19-21
Psalm 113:4-9
Romans 16:25-27
Jude 24-25
Ephesians 3:20-21

Worship VIII, Day 8

2020 . . . the year of the unexpected and unknown.
In Kansas City, we began the year celebrating a Chiefs Super Bowl victory.
We high-fived strangers wearing red, calling out, “How ‘bout them CHIEEEEEEEFS?!”
We stood UNITED as “MaHOMIES.”

The weather was perfect for the championship parade.
Little did we imagine the storms heading our way.
2020 was the embodiment of “when it rains, it pours.”
Our celebrations turned to confusion as we learned about coronavirus.
High-fives became a thing of the past, as did many of our other daily activities.

Vacations were cancelled.
Schools were closed.
Businesses shut down.

And all too soon, red wasn’t uniting us.
With a presidential election looming, teams were declared and apparently, picking sides was required.
Red or Blue?

Social distancing wasn’t the only thing keeping us 6 feet apart.
Social media became a place to attack each other’s opinions, judge choices, and condemn those with different thoughts.

We seem so divided.

2020 was a year of hard questions and few answers.
So far, 2021 has been more of the same.

Today, though, as I listened to Who Is Like Our God, I found questions with OBVIOUS answers.

I’d never heard this song before, but wow, it’s absolutely perfect for the challenges we’re facing.

Like us, the song is FULL of questions.

“Who was in the beginning before time began?
Who holds all of creation in the palm of His hand?”

The answer is certain, and therefore invaluable in a time of countless unknowns.

“My Father, He is the one who sustains all things
He is the source, the Creator of everything”

As Paul reminds us in Colossians 1:
“For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.”  

And while an understanding of God as Creator and Sustainer is foundational, it might not feel PERSONAL.
The stars and planets seem far away; the universe, big and overwhelming.

Especially when we’re dealing with job cuts, dwindling bank accounts, and constantly changing plans.
As we try to navigate the nitty gritty of our daily lives, we can find comfort in Psalm 139.

I, too, search for assurance God sees and cares about the details of my life. We are in the process of adopting 2 boys from Haiti. As I write, we have been waiting for 23 months. We are registered and approved for adoption, but we have to wait for a match. It’s excruciating to feel we are so close, and nowhere at all.  We continue to pray, wrestling with the when and why of our loooong wait.

I may not know how God will fulfill His promise for our family.  BUT I know GOD sees and holds our future: my boys here with us, playing in the backyard, reading bedtime stories, eating popcorn during movie night. He sees them wrapped in my arms.

When the ache for my boys is overwhelming, I find encouragement in Isaiah 40:31:
“Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength;
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not become weary;
They will walk and not faint.”
And because I can trust GOD sees and cares, I can wait and trust with HOPE.

Similarly, David explains God’s involvement in our lives,
and today’s song reiterates,
“Whose thoughts toward me outnumber the sand?”

God thinks about YOU.
He SEES you.
He KNOWS you . . . the number of hairs on your head, your strengths and weaknesses, the promises on which you’re waiting.

He created you, fearfully and wonderfully, declaring YOU a masterpiece.
He made you ON PURPOSE, for a purpose. (Ephesians 2:10)

So we can REST in believing God knows us and will sustain us.
NO ONE else can do this.

“Who has given Him wisdom?
Who has made Him understand? [. . .]
Who is like our God in all the earth?”

The answer is obvious.
No one possesses His wisdom or understanding.
No one can compare.

He alone sees all and knows all (Job 28:24).
He alone has been since before time began (John 1:1-2),
and He alone knows how all eternity will play out, beginning to end (Isaiah 46:10).
Thus, He alone is ABLE to sustain the world He has created, including YOU! (Psalm 54:4)

“Fill me with knowledge of You, God
(Let me behold more of You, God)
Open my heart to your truth, God
(I have to have more of You)”

So, let’s do as the song invites and behold the Lord.
Let’s intentionally spend time in the Word, grounding ourselves in Jesus and on His promises.

Let’s ask Him to fill us with His knowledge,
and open our hearts to Him so we can KNOW the Truth.
As we do, we will find JESUS is the answer to all our questions.

Even in the hardest, most challenging scenarios 2020/1 could possibly throw our way.

Take a moment to revisit Read His Words Before Mine. As our spirits soak in the majesty and promise and hope of our God, we might just catch some air.

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship VIII Week Two! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Worship VII Day 11 Held Fast

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Read His Words Before Ours!

2 Timothy 1:8-14
Psalm 91
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
Hebrews 6:17-20
Jude 1:24-25

Worship VII, Day 11

When asked in 2015, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I’m certain no one answered correctly! In Kansas City, we started with a Super Bowl Championship parade; joy was in the air and life was GOOD.

A few weeks later, Covid-19 entered the US; life turned upside-down.
Stay-at-home orders were issued.
#InThisTogether began trending.

Despite the hashtag’s slogan, however, stress and uncertainty quickly gave way to anger and division on our streets over racial inequality. The deaths of Ahmaud, Breonna, and George sparked protests against racial injustice and emotions raced even higher.

Adding to the tumult, investigations continue uncovering horrific atrocities against children.

Not to mention, it’s an election year in the United States.

Yep, pretty sure NO ONE could have predicted 2020’s events.
NO ONE except God.

As unsettling as 2020 has been so far, NOTHING has surprised God.  Our family word is KAIROS, referring to how God’s timing is SO different from ours.  As finite humans with limited knowledge, we are unable to “fathom what God has done from the beginning to the end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

To illustrate this mystery, consider a beautiful tapestry.  Merely surveying the BACK of the tapestry reveals only a tangle of thread and knots. Amidst the mess, the weaver continues the work, knowing the end result will be stunning.

GOD is a master weaver.

2020 is part of His plan.
In fact, all of history is His Story unfolding.
None of it is beyond His weaver’s fingers.
We can trust Him!

In the midst of chaos and confusion, HE remains steadfast, faithful, and GOOD.
We must cling to this truth!

Sitting in the middle of the unknown, it’s tempting to feel overwhelmed or defeated. Instead, let’s focus on truth: God is still at work.

In researching the hymn, He Will Hold Me Fast, I was blown away by God’s Almighty ability to weave the threads together.

In the early 1900s, the traveling evangelist, R.A. Torrey, was sharing the gospel. In 1902, in Australia, Robert Harkness joined his team as a pianist. Ironically, he agreed to be an accompanist at revival meetings BEFORE trusting Jesus as his personal Savior. He actually tried to mess up the music but failed. Due to the grace shown him by Torrey, he accepted Christ into his life.

The team traveled Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, India, and the British Isles while sharing Jesus. In London, they connected with the then-famous song writer, Ada Habershon, who joined their team. Ada would pen hymns lyrics while Robert expertly put them to music.

In 1906, a Canadian man spoke with Robert, expressing his fear of being unable to “hold out” in the midst of difficulty. Harkness wrote to Ada in England and requested lyrics speaking to this man’s struggle.

While Torrey preached to a crowd of 4,000 in Philadelphia, Harkness took out the slips of paper with Ada’s newly penned words for “He Will Hold Me Fast”, putting them to a melody then and there.

The music was captivating, and the song’s message stuck.
Over a hundred years later, we still sing Ada’s lyrics set to Robert’s melodies.
Incredibly, these words from 1906 intertwine perfectly with the experiences of 2020!

This is God at work, weaving a beautiful tapestry!

I got goosebumps reading testimonies of the impact Ada’s words have had over the years, even some from Kansas City.  Consider studying this history for yourself and pray God reminds you He is the same today just as He was then. (Hebrews 13:8)

Do you fear you also cannot “hold out”?

Maybe you need to be reminded we don’t need to depend on OUR strength, but in Jesus!  We can REST in Him, depending FULLY on HIS wisdom, power, joy, hope, peace, courage, and love.

Do you feel weak or weary?
Can you sense fear creeping in?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do you question where your path will take you?
Do you question God’s love and goodness?
Do you doubt His sovereignty?
Do you wonder if He TRULY cares about you and the details of YOUR life?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do doubt, cynicism, and anger seem to be crowding out grace and compassion?
Does showing love to others feel exhausting?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Do you feel control slipping away?
Are you longing for Jesus to come back, wondering why He hasn’t yet?
Are you worried you might lose hope before He does?
You are NOT alone.
Christ will hold you fast.

Recently, the song, Another In The Fire, reminded me again that even in the FIRE, we are not alone.  Jesus stands with us just as He did with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

God parted the Red Sea.
He provided manna in the wilderness.
He shot water from a rock.
He closed lions’ mouths.
He defeated a giant through one boy’s faith.
Time and time again throughout history, He made His presence and power known as He wove His tapestry.

Then, He came to actually DWELL among us.
Jesus left heaven and was born humbly in Bethlehem.
His presence and power were felt in fresh BIG ways.

Jesus made the lame walk, the deaf hear, the blind see, and brought the dead back to life.
Then, one day, He Himself died, paying the penalty for our sin.
Three days later, He rose again, forever conquering Death and offering eternal life and forgiveness to all who trust Him!
He can indeed hold us fast!

No thread of history can unravel God’s plan, including 2020 and the struggles in your life! We can trust JESUS remains constant, knowing He will forever hold us fast!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Worship VII Week Three! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Worship VII!

Sketched VIII Day 1 Hagar And Ishmael

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Genesis 16
Exodus 33:12-23
Genesis 32:24-30

Sketched VII, Day 1

Salty tears streaked my face.
I longed to rest from my desert trek.
But I couldn’t.

I wasn’t safe.
I’d fled under the cover of night, but dawn was breaking.
Would Sarai send Abram’s men to force my return?

Returning wasn’t an option.
Not now.

Sarai’s rage was at an all-time high.
I feared for my life,
and for the little one growing inside me.

I rubbed my belly and couldn’t help but smile.
I already loved this precious child, even though he wouldn’t really be mine.
Like me, he belonged to Sarai, to Abram.

I choked back more tears and wished somehow I could drink them.
My parched throat longed for water.
I was ill-prepared for my escape.

While I was familiar with Sarai’s cruelty, something snapped in her yesterday.
Perhaps the reality I was carrying Abram’s child while she remained barren broke her already hardened heart.

I silenced the nagging voice inside, “. . . and you missed no opportunity to remind her of that, did you?”

Decades after God promised my master a son, Sarai’s womb remained empty.
Desperate, she dreamed up a plan, and I was her pawn.

As a slave, obedience was my only choice.
So I entered Abram’s tent.
When I left, my sorrow came with me.

Weeks later, when I realized I was pregnant, emotions flooded in.

Joy.
Pride.
Hope.
I would be a mother!

But my baby wasn’t mine.
Sarai and Abram would get their promised child.
I would lose mine.
Bitterness.
Rage.
Hopelessness.

But when I dared speak of my pregnancy,
I watched Sarai’s face blanch in pain . . .
And suddenly, for the first time in my life, I felt power.

Through its lens, I looked with pride at my body,
fresh and glowing, softly swelling with life.

And then I looked at Sarai,
thinning white hair crowning a wrinkled husk of a body.
Her pathetic hope to bear a child, to fulfill God’s promise, was beyond ridiculous.

I was filled with contempt for Sarai.
And as Abram’s gaze began to swerve my way more frequently,
I saw an opportunity to change my future.

I stirred up enmity between Abram and Sarai,
Encouraged comparisons between her and myself,
Knowing I carried the promise Abram wanted more than anything.
I was the one feeling the baby kick, not her. 

Sarai’s growing depression only spurred me on.
Had she forgotten this was HER idea to push me into her husband’s tent?

Finally, Sarai confronted Abram.
My haughtiness turned to panic as he flicked a dismissive glance in my direction, giving Sarai free reign to do with me as she pleased.

So Sarai loosed years of bitterness, disappointment, and anger . . . on me.
She exchanged words for a whip, or rod, or clay pot.

After yesterday’s beating, I had to leave.
To protect myself.
And my baby, who I imagined was a boy.

I ran all night.
I had no destination; I was running away.
Away from Abram and Sarai.
Away from abuse and death.

Now lost, the barren wilderness stretched endlessly before me.
Overwhelmed with despair, I sank to my knees.
I pounded the cracked earth and cried out for help,
help I knew wouldn’t come.

Death stalked me.
With the last of my energy, I lowered myself to the ground.
This would be my grave.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
Certain Abram’s men found me, I cowered,
bracing for death’s blow.

But then, I heard my name.
Spoken with kindness.
Concern.

LOVE.

Peace washed over me.

“Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?”

I replied honestly, explaining my desperation to escape Sarai, hoping the stranger would mercifully lead me to safety.

The stranger knelt, handing me bread and a new skin of water.
I bit off a huge chunk of bread and gulped down water.

Once I finished eating, the stranger helped me up.
At his touch, new energy surged within me.

He looked into my eyes.
For the first time in my life, I felt SEEN.
Just as I began to hope, the stranger’s words rocked me to the core.

“Go back to Sarai and submit to her.”

Go back?!

The stranger kept talking.
This time, his words were full of promise.

“You baby is indeed a boy. When he is born, name him Ishmael.”
I whispered it out loud, daring to add, “I love you, Ishmael.”

When I spoke his name, I understood.
ISHMAEL.
God will hear.

The Lord HEARD me.
He SAW me.
Here in the desert, as I waited to die.
He sent this stranger to save us.

I felt Ishmael kick, as if in celebration.
A solid kick, the strongest yet.

The stranger’s words rang in my ears, “He will be a wild donkey of a man.”

I laughed and turned to share my joy with the stranger . . .
But he’d vanished.

I was alone.
Yet, the peace accompanying the stranger lingered.

In the place he’d stood, there was now a well.
Bewildered, I ran to it, drawing water and drinking my fill.
I splashed water on my face, washing away the sweat and tears.
Then, I scrubbed my feet, wiping away the blood and dirt.

Like a carefree child, I threw a handful of water into the sky.
I watched in awe as the sunlit droplets danced.
Tiny rainbows landed on my hair as I lifted my hands in praise.

I shouted, “El-Roi, El-Roi!!!  You are the God who sees!”

I began the trek back home.
Unsure of what awaited me,
I only knew I was returning a changed woman.

No matter what happened, God would be with me.

If He was with me in the wilderness, when I was alone and on the cusp of death, I trusted Him to remain with me now.
If He heard my cries in the desert, I knew He could hear me anywhere.
If He saw me at my worst, and loved me even then, I believed His love would be steadfast the rest of my days.

The following months were NOT easy.

But when my son was born, and Abram announced, “The boy’s name is Ishmael,”
I knew God was with me, and He saw me and loved me,
me and my son.

***

Maybe you relate to Hagar and feel alone in a wilderness, overwhelmed, defeated, and full of despair. Call out to Jesus. He HEARS you. He SEES you. He is with you, ready to fill you with His peace, power, strength, hope, joy, wisdom, and love. May you experience Him as Hagar did, as El-Roi, the God who sees.

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A Note About Sketched
In this series, we are stepping into the shoes of various characters throughout history. Some are biblical, some are well-known in modern day times, and some are people our writers know personally. We do our best to research the culture and times surrounding these individuals to give an accurate representation of their first-person perspectives on life and the world, but we can’t be 100% accurate. “Sketched” is our best interpretation of how these characters view(ed) God, themselves, and the world around them. Our hope is that by stepping into their everyday, we will see our own lives a little differently!
Enjoy!
And keep watching for Sketched Themes to pop up throughout the year!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

Thanks for joining us today as we journeyed into Sketched VIII Week One! Don’t miss out on the discussion below – we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Looking for other journeys from this theme?
Here’s a link to all past studies in Sketched VIII!