Unbelief... Again!

Aug 2 - Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 18:22; Mark 11:12-14

How many times lately has the subject of unbelief come up?! God has been speaking to me for a few years now about trusting obedience, and He keeps pointing out that His word for 'distrust' is "unbelief".

In this passage, He rebukes Moses and Aaron for their disobedience in striking the rock--which provided water for the Israelites--by saying, "..Because ye believed me not...". In verse 24, "because ye rebelled against my word..." makes the point even more pointed.

Moses allowed the grumblings of the people to provoke him to anger, and then he acted on it instead of trusting God's justice to sort it out. Trying to make an impression on the murmurers, he took God's judgment into his own hands.

How often do I fail to trust God to administer His will, in His time, and in His way? My own fears and pride demonstrate the unbelief in my heart. Am I willing to trust God's will and work in the lives of those around me? Or will I insist on doing things in the way which seems to me to be the most impressive... putting my unbelief on display for all to see, and inviting the judgment of One who desires most to be my loving Heavenly Father?

...It's July!

Some years back there was a TV commercial about a two-part candy bar. The lady said that part of it was to eat now (as she ate the first piece), and part was for later. After a 3-second pause, she picked up the other half and popped it in her mouth... "It's later!"

Well, it's certainly later! This wasn't exactly the July I intended, when I spoke of my return to the blog, but here we are! I've continued in my study of the Word and character of God, and hope you have done so as well. Let's walk on together, shall we? ^_^

Be Right Back...

I'll be away from my computer for a few days, but trust that the Lord will continue to richly bless your time with Him. ~Carol ^_^

Prepare My Heart

Tuesday, July 21; 2Chr.12; Prov. 16:8; Acts 8:1-8

Rehoboam's troubles began with a heart that was not prepared to seek the Lord. He was not inclined to fear the Lord, and didn't turn his feet to follow the Lord's paths. When the winds of change and trouble came, he had no strong roots to hold him fast in godliness.

How do I 'prepare' my heart to seek the Lord? There are many possiblilties, including asking Him to do so. First, and foremost, must be a reverential fear; acknowledging His sovereignty in my life, and embracing my position in Him. An important first step in my own life has been to learn to actively give Him thanks in all things. Not just trying to work up an attitude of gratefulness, or adopting a perspective of resignation... but verbally giving Him thanks in every situation. In so doing, I remind myself that He knows the end from the beginning and will keep His promises to provide for all my need.

This first step will build my trust in Him, and choosing to obey the direction of His Spirit will complete my part of the process. Praying, speaking, studying, being still, rejoicing, giving thanks, helping others... all theses are part of the obedience. Prov.16:3 teaches us to take care of our part--obedient works--and He will take care of changing and establishing our thoughts.

Mama's Boys

Sat-Sun, 18-19 July 2009; 2Chr. 9-10; Prov. 16:4-6; Acts 7:35-50
Moses and Rehoboam were both called of God to rule the Israelites, and their mothers' influence was strongly reflected their individual leadership.
Moses, whose humble beginnings and past failures posed no obstacles to God when it was time to lead the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. During the forty years of wilderness wanderings, Moses carried with him the humble and reverent spirit his mother, Jochabed, had worked so hard to instill.
Rehoboam, on the other hand, was the son of Naamah, an Ammonitess; born to privilege and named the successor to King Solomon. How is it that Solomon had justified his forbidden marriage to one of the pagan children of Lot? How much did he invest in the spiritual life of his son? Rehoboam seemed to have no fear of God, nor any respect for his father's godly counselors.
Ironically, had he followed the recorded wisdom of his father, the kingdom might have been spared the schism resulting from his proud foolishness. Apparently anxious to impress his peers, Rehoboam rejected the mercy and truth admonished in Prov.6:5-6. Makes me wonder if that might have even been part of the counsel given him by the aged ones.
As with the Pharisees who questioned Stephen, in Acts 7, Rehoboam was more concerned about his own power than he was about righteous judgment. Lord, let me always be careful to teach my children the fear of the Lord. And let my own heart bow in humility before You; never forgetting that any authority I have comes from You alone, and solely for Your purpose and glory.