Isaiah 62:10

Go out, go out through the gates; prepare a way for the people! Build it up, build up the highway; clear away the stones! Raise a banner for the peoples.

While this was a message given to the people of Israel for restoration, it still clearly reveals God’s heart toward those of us who have been held in bondage by the enemy and have suffered loss and rejection. He sent Jesus to redeem us from these things, and His resurrection life gives us hope to overcome anything the enemy may hurl at us. As people who have found that hope in Christ, we are to prepare the way for others who desperately need Him.

That is exactly what we are doing in PHOEBE Connections! God has called us to go through the gates of our own churches and neighborhoods and prepare the way for other widows to find the same hope in Jesus Christ. As we build this ministry, we are building up the highway and clearing stones and debris for widows to find a new identity in Christ and come to find healing through new relationships and service.

Before we can effectively share the gospel with those who are hurting, we must first meet real needs within the people to whom we minister before that gospel message can have meaning. If a child is hungry, for example, we must first feed that physical need before he can accept the spiritual. By meeting such needs, we are building the highway and clearing stones that hinder worship.

As I look into the community, I see many needs. There certainly is no shortage of them! While we may not be able to address every need, we can surely address some. In addressing the needs we can meet, God uses us to spread His love and minister to people through His Holy Spirit. We need to keep building the highway and clearing the stones while proclaiming the gospel, and let Him do the rest.

Thank you for helping me build a highway. Thank you for clearing stones and other debris from the path to knowing Christ. Thank you for serving others and making the name of Jesus Christ great. Put on your construction hat today, and go back to work. God is not finished giving us opportunities to build, and I have a feeling we have more construction permits coming!

Have a blessed day!

1 Thessalonians 2:4

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts.

God has approved us as followers of Christ to proclaim His word and share the gospel. We don’t have to worry about flattering people, watering it down, or spicing it up in order for people to hear it and be changed. God has placed power in His word, and all we have to do is proclaim it. The Word doesn’t draw people to us; it draws people to Him.

To think that God would entrust such a valuable tool to us as fallen humanity is unfathomable, but as new creations in Christ Jesus, we are fully approved to share His word with others. Who speaks for God? You and I do as His chosen and beloved creations in Christ.

In sharing God’s word, we must remember that our goal is to please God and not man. The Bible is not a tool we use to prove a point or win an argument. We are to simply share the truth that all men are sinful and in need of a Savior, and God has sent Jesus to us to be that Savior.

Do you understand your value? You have been approved by God to represent Him to the world through Christ. You are an ambassador for the kingdom of heaven. You are a dignitary of the spiritual realm to a fallen world, and you have the right to dine at the Master’s table. Take time today to invite someone else to join you at the feast.

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 33:20-22

We wait for the LORD; He is our help and shield. For our hearts rejoice in Him, because we trust in His holy name. May Your faithful love rest on us, LORD, for we put our hope in You.

I seem to be forever caught in a dilemma to act or to wait. Just when should I do something, and when should I wait on God? Is God telling me what I need to do now, or is He showing me what He is going to do as I follow Him? I’m finding that quite often, the answer is to act while waiting.

When God shows us something we need to do, we should begin to do it. We may not see the desired result right away, but we will eventually succeed in His timing. Noah didn’t build the ark in one day. He steadily and diligently built according to God’s plan while others mocked and ridiculed. Noah did what he knew to do, and God eventually brought it all together and sent the rain. When the rains came, Noah was ready.

As we build in obedience to God’s instructions, we wait for Him. People may not understand, and our circumstances may not change right away. We may still have some obstacles to face while we move forward, but God is our help and our shield. We can rejoice in Him, knowing that He is with us. As we diligently follow Him, His love rests upon us, and we can place our hope in Him. We may not see our success or our promised land right away, but we can place our hope in the God who is leading us through the maze one step at a time. As we act upon His instruction, we wait for Him to open yet another door.

Keep on building. Keep on doing what God has instructed you to do. Keep on using the gift He has placed in your hand. Keep moving forward. God’s love rests upon you, and He will bless the work of your hand to succeed in His plan for you. Following God is a process of acting while waiting and trusting Him for the end result.

Have a blessed day!

Joshua 1:2

Moses My servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites.

Joshua was very discouraged after the death of Moses. He had worked alongside his trusted leader, but now his hopes and dreams were mixed with great confusion. What in the world would he and the people do? They needed new vision to carry them further, and God provided that through Joshua.

God’s vision was not for Joshua alone, however. All the people were to cross over the Jordan and enter the Promised Land. Our vision is much too small if we see only what is in it for ourselves. God had plans for a people who would worship Him and be a light to the pagan nations around them. While He may give His vision to one, His plan is always for many to benefit. The job of the visionary is to listen, obey, and communicate that vision so the people will be on board with God’s plan.

Verse 3 of the same chapter gives us more encouragement. “I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.”  God promised to give Joshua every place his foot treads, meaning he had to go there. Taking possession of the Promised Land means you must set foot on it first. It won’t be handed to you. God made a promise, and He would still fulfill it, even though Moses was dead. His promise is always greater than the leader who receives it. His promises extend beyond our years into generations yet to come.

Wherever God is taking us, we must be willing to step out in faith and onto the property before we will possess it. His plan is much greater than we are and is for those who will come after us, as well. Rejoice today that He is taking you somewhere, and His plan is greater than you are! We are fortunate enough to be a part of His great movement, so get your walking shoes and start moving. You have a lot of territory yet to cover!

Have a great day!

Romans 16:1-2

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many – and of me also.

This is the verse that describes our ministry in Scripture, and we have it printed on our brochure. Phoebe, who was most likely a widow, was a true servant of the church for her Lord and depicted the very heart of this ministry. Paul commended her for her acts of service because she had helped many people.

Paul referred to Phoebe as a benefactor here in the HCSB. A benefactor is a worker of good or a philanthropist. The KJV uses the word succourer in this verse. A succourer is a patroness or assistant. Whichever term you prefer to use, it is obvious that Phoebe was a servant in the church who did good for others. She had committed her life to serving her Lord, most likely after the death of her husband. Instead of being married to a man, she committed herself to Jesus and His work.

I find Paul’s instructions to the church at Rome interesting. They were to assist her in whatever matter she may require their help. Because she had given her life to help so many, the church was to meet her needs. Once again, we find God taking care of widows who have devoted themselves to Him and have come to see Him as their husband.

Don’t let widowhood isolate you from God’s house or God’s people. You are not at a disadvantage; you are empowered to serve. No one can take care of you the way God can, and you have everything to gain by fully submitting yourself to Him. You have a special place in His heart, and He will make every provision for you because you are His beloved. You are not a widow; you are a Phoebe. You are welcome in God’s house, where you have a purpose and a place to serve. When you take care of God’s business, He will take care of yours.

Have a blessed day!

Genesis 31:53-55

(Laban to Jacob) “The God of Abraham, and the gods of Nahor – the gods of their father – will judge between us.” And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.  Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal.  So they ate a meal and spent the night on the mountain.  Laban got up early in the morning, kissed his grandchildren and daughters, and blessed them.  Then Laban left to return home.

Laban and Jacob argued over Jacob’s success.  Laban thought everything Jacob owned was his, and Jacob believed God had prospered him in his own right.  Laban knew he could not touch Jacob nor force him to return, so he challenged Jacob to enter into a covenant with him to protect the rights of both parties.  They set up a mound and agreed not to cross it.  They agreed that Jacob’s God and Laban’s gods would judge between them if either of them did anything to hurt the family or its interest.  While this may seem like an honorable thing to do and a reasonable solution for Jacob in leaving Laban’s domain, it was a serious mistake for Jacob.  He unknowingly entered into a covenant to ask God to judge Rachel’s sin in stealing Laban’s idols.  This would require punishment by death. 

No one else knew Rachel had the idols, but God did.  Jacob had just asked God to judge, and God takes the whole idea of covenant very seriously.  God was now bound to judge Rachel’s sin.  While Jacob felt he had worked hard for Laban and had given his very best, what he needed at that moment was not justice but mercy.  When we feel we’ve worked hard and given our very best at a work for God, we must remember that our need is always for mercy.  God sees what we cannot see, and He knows the thoughts of man.  What we think we have earned, God sees as filthy rags.  Our need before a righteous God is always mercy and never justice. 

We are fortunate, however, in that God has entered into a new covenant with us through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He has already poured out His full wrath of indignation upon Christ at the cross.  Because of this covenant of grace, we have mercy to cover those things we do not recognize as sin.  Jacob was guilty, and so are we, but Christ has already paid the price for us!

Thank God today for the cross.  Wherever you feel slighted or wronged, realize that God sees what you cannot.  Trade justice for mercy before a just and holy God who has already made a covenant of grace to cover every sin you have.  Rejoice in His mercy, which is new every morning, and live today in the knowledge that He loves you and is working everything according to your good and His glory.

Have a blessed day!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think – according to the power that works in you – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

God will work His glory in us. If we aren’t quite where we want to be, perhaps, where we want to be does not bring Him glory. God is able to do all things through us in Christ, but not all things bring Him glory. To allow His power to work in us means we have to set aside our own plans and agendas and let Him do a perfect work.

How much of God’s power can we handle? That depends upon how much we want to be in control. The more we submit to Him, the more power He is able to work in us. If we are a control freak and have to have things a certain way, we limit His effectiveness in us by not giving Him the reins. God will give us as much power as we want, but that power requires submission to Him. Giving us the full extent of His power without submission is like giving a two year old a loaded gun! We could be hurt by our own strength and bring Him damage in the process.

What are you holding tightly that you need to let go? God is able to do more that you can ask or think. Give it to Him. If you need wisdom, ask for it. He has promised it to you. The more you give to Him, the more of His power you will find working in your life. He will do a work in you that will glorify Him to future generations. Trust Him today, and trade control for power.

Have a blessed day

Psalm 3:1-3

LORD, how my foes increase! There are many who attack me. Many say about me, “There is no help for him in God. (Selah) But You, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.  I cry aloud to the LORD, and He answers me from His holy mountain. (Selah)

Many times it seems we don’t finish fighting one enemy before another launches an attack from a different side. We may feel surrounded by spiritual battles and feel like the enemy is caving in on us.  Others may look at us and question why we are encountering such enemies if our God is so powerful and our faith is strong. They may even lose hope for us. 

Notice the use of the word, Selah, in these verses. A selah is a musical term meaning pause or intermission. When the enemy attacks from every angle and others lose hope for us, there is an instruction to pause. The first pause redirects the psalm. The emphasis moves from one who feels stressed and attacked from every side to one who focuses upon God. God is a shield around us, our glory and the lifter of our heads! When we cry aloud to Him, He answers us from His holy mountain!  Here we find another pause. This second selah is a pause to wait upon God.

Anytime we find ourselves surrounded by the enemy, we are to pause, look up, and remember that God is our protection. He answers when we pray. He is our Great Defender and Protector. This is how we are to fight our spiritual battles. They are best fought on our knees, looking up to God.

If you find yourself in the midst of stress and battles today, selah. Pause and look up to God. He is your great help, and He hears when you pray. Don’t listen to what others may say. Simply selah. Look to God, cry out to Him, and wait for His response. If you focus upon your problems, they will only increase.  Respond to your enemies with selah, and watch your God increase! Let Him reveal Himself in a whole new way to you. 

Have a blessed day! 

Judges 4:1-3

The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the LORD after Ehud had died. So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. Then the Israelites cried out to the LORD, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them 20 years.

Ehud was a judge in Israel who freed the Israelites from Moabite rule. His successor, Shamgar, had freed them from Philistine oppression. Still, the nation did not learn from the hard lessons they faced by turning from God and following evil paths. As Judges 1 reveals, they did what was right in their own eyes and disregarded God’s word. God decided to sell them into the hand of Jabin, king of Canaan. This meant that Jabin had all rights to them and could do what he wanted. They no longer belonged to God, and His hand of protection and blessing were not upon them. What a scary place to be!

Jabin is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “trodden” or “threshing floor.” His name may have been a title, rather than a personal name. God had given them over to a king that was sure to trample them until they submitted to his purposes. Jabin reined in Hazor, a village once defeated which had recovered to new power. Jabin subjected the Israelites to his commander, Sisera.  While the meaning of his name is unclear, we know he lived in Harosheth, which means “mechanical” or “carving, cutting.” Quite possibly, this was a place where idols were formed and fashioned. They may also have been in the chariot making business since Jabin had 900 iron chariots, which he used to harshly oppress the Israelites for 20 years. 

These iron chariots were very intimidating vehicles and weapons of that day.  The wheels of the chariots had sharp points protruding from the wheels and were very fast. If caught in their path, death was imminent. The fact that Jabin had 900 of them signifies an army. The Israelites found themselves in a place where they were being trampled with oppression, and they could not run. There was no way out. To submit to Canaanite rule meant slavery and hardship, but to try to escape meant death. What were they to do? In a time of desperation, they once again cried out to God.

Realize that turning from God will drive you into a hard place. You cannot survive without His protection or His blessing. Old enemies once defeated can rise to new power in our lives if we give them a foothold or begin to compromise. As Christians, we have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us. He will not sell us to a king who will trample us! If we find ourselves in such a place, we have gone there on our own free will. We need only to cry out to Him. We still belong to Christ because He purchased us with His blood. The enemy has no right to us. Matthew 18 assures us that Jesus will leave 99 safe sheep just to find one who has strayed. You are only a cry away from His care!

Have a blessed day!

Psalm 149:6

Let the exaltation of God be in their mouths and a two-edged sword in their hands…

When we encounter difficult situations, it is easy to become discouraged and negative. Whether we face oppression, sickness, loss, or conflict, we serve a God who is greater than our pain and strong enough to fight our battles for us. He has declared victory for us, so let us determine to sing a new song to Him, rather than the old, worn-out tune of complaining and defeat.

In whatever situation you face today, begin to praise God and pray over your circumstances with Scripture straight from the Word of God. Declare your victory, knowing that God delights in you and dwells in the praises of His people. Praise, combined with speaking God’s Word, are powerful tools in defeating the enemy. He can’t stand either! You will find your joy renewed and your faith increased as you drive back the stronghold of discouragement and defeat the Devil has tried to place on you.

Have a blessed day!