A Letter of Hope

This week's post comes from Kassie of Cypress Ministries
http://www.cypressministries.com  and  http://www.fromalisteningheart.blogspot.com

Psalm 34:18 (NCV)
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted,
and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed.

The past several days when thinking about preparing for this devotional, it has been on my heart to write a letter of encouragement instead. I don't know who will read this devotional/letter-- I don't really know who this is intended for... but what weighs on my heart is to tell you that there is hope, and to give you encouragement that your life is not over-- that whatever you may be going through, there is another side of this for you. There is MORE for you than what you may be seeing now. God has so much for you, if you will just let Him bring you through it.

In Luke 19, when Zacchaeus wanted to see who this Jesus was, nothing would deter him. Nothing was going to stop him from getting a closer look at this Man who was doing so much for God's people. When he couldn’t see past the crowd, Zacchaeus simply climbed a tree! The wonderful thing in this story is that when Jesus got to this tree he stopped right under it, and looking up, Jesus called for Zacchaeus to come down.  You see, Jesus KNEW that Zacchaeus was up there, but no one had told him this. In the same way Jesus knew where Zacchaeus was, HE KNOWS WHERE YOU ARE NOW.

My friend, whatever you may be facing-- know that God still has a whole nother chapter of your life waiting for you. In the book of Ruth; when Naomi lost her husband, she grieved. Later when she lost her two sons, the pain was so overwhelming that when she went back home, she told people not to call her Naomi anymore as that name meant “happy”. She told people to call her Mara instead, because that name means “sad”. She didn’t understand why the Lord had left her with such sadness. She told her people that she had lost everything; she felt as if she had nothing left. But that wasn’t true. God still had a plan for her. God still had a purpose for her even though she was unaware of it. And God has one for you.

Just like Naomi, your life is more than what you can see right now. God is all knowing and can see so much more than you and me. There was still something Naomi had to do for God. He still had a job for her to do. God had a bigger plan. He also blessed her life again and brought her much joy. As a result of losing her husband and her sons, Naomi went home taking her daughter in-law with her. And by doing so, fulfilled the next needed step in the future of our savior.

You see, God had a plan for Ruth too. She (like Naomi) had lost her husband-- and at a young age. She didn’t understand why either. But God knew. God had a purpose for her, she had a destiny that was to be fulfilled. God needed her to be somewhere. And at some point in time God will need you to be somewhere else too.

We don’t know why God allows certain heartaches in our lives, but He promises that if He allows the pain, then something good will come from it. Even if it is the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job-- God will bring new life in place of what is now gone.

Sometimes we have to go through "intermissions" in our lives. A time of waiting between what was and what is to come. And when we come to these intermissions, it is hard to understand why. But sometimes God needs time to heal us and prepare us for what is ahead -- and sometimes it is because God needs to work in someone else and bring them to a point where they are ready to join us. Sometimes God just needs time to work in a situation, or some circumstance, before advancing us into the new He has planned for us. But rest assured God will not forget you in the meantime. He won't set you on some sideline, and forget to bring you back in.

Need an example? Look at Moses; "When Moses was forty years old, he decided to visit his fellow Israelites. He saw one of them being mistreated by an Egyptian, so he went to his defense and avenged him by killing the Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not. The next day Moses came upon two Israelites who were fighting. He tried to reconcile them by saying, 'Men, you are brothers; why do you want to hurt each other?' 

"But the man who was mistreating the other pushed Moses aside and said, 'Who made you ruler and judge over us? Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?'  When Moses heard this, he fled to Midian, where he settled as a foreigner and had two sons. (Acts 7:23-29 NIV)

When Moses found himself out in the desert after a life changing incident, he probably thought he was there to stay... But God had other plans for him, in fact Moses' life was far from over, it was just beginning. Moses' duration in the desert was only an "in between time" from where he had been, and what was to come. However those were not wasted years. Far from it actually. My friend, God can multi task! At the same time God was waiting for the right time to come for Him to bring deliverance to His people, God was working in Moses during his stay in the desert. And when the RIGHT TIME came; God brought Moses front and center into the full purpose God had for him.

I love how Acts 7 states "The SAME Moses..." read with me: "Then the Lord said to him, 'Take off your sandals; the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.'  "This is the same Moses whom they had rejected with the words, 'Who made you ruler and judge?' He was sent to be their ruler and deliverer by God himself, through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. He led them out of Egypt and did wonders and miraculous signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and for forty years in the desert. ( Acts 7:33-3 NIV)

God had not changed His mind about Moses. God had chosen Moses long before, and it was this same man (granted older and wiser), that God would bring back for another chance, and the whole second half of his life that was waiting for him. God brought him out, dusted him off and said, "Let's try again." But THIS TIME, it was going to be with the hand of God. You see before, Moses had been called, but he didn't have the anointing, so when he acted, it was in his own strength. But this time, God was ready and God was going with him, so there would be a huge difference!

My friend, SOMETIMES we can have a call on our lives-- something we were born and meant to do; but if God isn't ready and we move ahead, then we go without the anointing and it is in our own strength-- not His. So we have to wait. We have to wait for God to move, and sometimes we have to wait because HE IS WAITING until HE knows everything is ready for Him to move us into what He has called us to do.

God's purposes for Moses didn't change, he simply had to be moved aside until God was ready to bring him forth. Naomi and Ruth's lives were not over because someone had died, God was bringing them into something new. My friend, whatever you are facing, know that God is with you. No matter what has happened, what has died, who has left, or what was lost... God can bring about something new. God WILL fulfill His plans and purposes for you.

My friend, God knows how to bring you through difficult seasons. He knows how to bring you through hurt and heartache. He knows how to bring you through trials, and HE KNOWS HOW to bring you into all He has waiting for you.  Look up-- look out, and know God is watching over you. And His hand will not be held down when He is ready to move you.

Take care, Kassie

Even In This; Finding Joy & Peace

Today's post comes from Kassie of Cypress Ministries

http://www.cypressministries.com  and  http://www.fromalisteningheart.blogspot.com

~ From my heart,
just something to think about today:

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.

He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.

Do you believe this?”

She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ,

the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

(John 11:25-27 NKJV)

My friend I don't know what your "this" is... but I know I am going through one. The thing is, I just keep calling it "this" because I don't know what it is or how to even describe it. I don't know if it is my faith being tested, if I am "birthing something new" or maybe it is just simply God trying to bring me through something. All I do know is that "this" hurts, and it is a struggle, and it is difficult... And it seems as if God keeps leaning down to ask me, "will I love Him even in this?"

Even in this where I can't see my way clear, there seems to be no answers, no understanding; just an expectation that there is so suppose to be so much more, but it is just out of grasp... and the question is, "will I trust Him even in this?"

And each time I find myself taking a breath with a strange sort of "weight" inside of me and saying, "Yes." I still believe that God is God. I still believe that God is good. I still believe that God is faithful. "Even in this" I believe.... it is really weird because I keep looking at my hands to see the rope burns, because part of me feels like I am haning on by shreds, but at the exact same time, there is a calmness inside of me. And when I am very still I can feel -- that it is NOT me. Or better yet; it is NOT coming from me.

This is what Jesus wanted to know from Martha in the face of the death of their brother; did she believe? And Martha said "Yes Lord, even now I believe...." And I truly believe that God still comes to us in times such as that to see if, "Even in this, are we still His?" Can we (do we) still love and worship Him when times are hard, or when hurt and sorrow have come?

I think this is where true faith is revealed. I think that when we get to a point where we have nothing left, where we are simply just wrung out and hung up to dry; that we see what our faith is really made of. But even more importantly-- SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE. Anyone we have come in contact with during our walk where we say, "Oh sure, I believe God is God..." is there to see when it comes right down to it-- what is inside.

My friend, how are you wearing your faith? Are you grumbling? Or are you still maintaining stride even in "this?" Any one can shout from the mountain tops, but how are you standing on your faith in the valley? Because this is where true witnessing comes from. This is where you put your faith where your mouth is. And it is in times like this that our faith has a chance to grow and be strengthened-- and when we reach the other side we can look back and be amazed at seeing the hand of God that has brought us through.

I say that because Jesus told His disciples "go to the other side" He did not tell them to go half way across and come dead in the water. I know He doesn't expect us to either. So I know that some way or some how, I have to be able to come to the other side of my "this." I will-- and you will too.

I may have to make a circle in the desert a few times-- OK I HAVE circled the desert a few times, but I know that there will also come a time that God will bring me to the edge of the river and say, "Now go up and take the ground I am giving you." And when this time comes for me (and for you) let it NOT be unbelief that keeps us out.

And do you know that for all the "hardship" I can honestly say there HAS been joy and peace inside. That even in this, when I take the time to just stop and listen, when I come to a place where I just "wait" I can feel strength rising in the very depths of my heart that can ONLY come from God. And then I can feel a peace budding in me, and that brings joy because though on the outside nothing has change, I know that God is still there, He is still by my side, and THAT brings a smile to my face. And I think that is what we need to do-- to seek out and find the joy that is there that comes with the peace in knowing, even in "this." I believe that is where we will truly find God. That it is in the "loving Him even in this" where we will experience His mightiness, and willingness to work on our behalf. I believe that when we lean into Him in times of "things we just can't explain;" that is where we will see that He really is there walking with us, and will bring about things for us to smile about.

My friend I want to encourage you today. God is still the same God as before. The same God who parted the Red Sea, is the same God now. Times have changed. People have changed, the way we eat, dress, and play have change... BUT GOD has not changed. My prayer recently has been "Show that God to me. Come in and be THAT God for me, and in my life. Please step in and make Your presence known. Knock me off my feet with the unimaginative. Show my children, show my family, show those around me that YOU ARE GOD."

My friend, will you join me?


I wish you well, and may God shine upon you in all of your endevors today.
Kassie.

Seeing The Brush Strokes

Today's post comes from Kassie at Guiding Light From His Word

 TODAY IN HIS WORD COMES FROM

(Isaiah 40:12-14 NKJV)
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span
 and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?
Weighed the mountains in scale and the hills in a balance?
 Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has taught Him?
 With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of justice?
Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?

THOUGHT TO PONDER:Sometimes in our rush to see the finished picture, we miss seeing the very essence of God as He loving holds the paintbrush, and mixes all the colors and tenderly, but with precision, applies the brush strokes to the canvas of our lives.

TODAY’S INSIGHT INTO HIS WORD:Yesterday my day didn't go at all according to original plan. It started out the way I had intended, but was quickly altered when my oldest son called and asked if I would like for him to buy us breakfast. Now I had a lot of work to do-- in fact I was in the middle of writing-- but when your 18 year old son calls and would like to spend time with you.... things can change very quickly.

I never made it to the office, I never finished what I had planned to do for the day... and I never did get back to writing. BUT what I did wind up doing, I now see as a moment from God. You see, I wound up not at my tree, but a different place I sometimes go to pray that is a little closer to home. I had also taken with me my yellow tablets from the past 2 years that I have journaled and have written out the sightings of God's hands pints in my life.

Now the way I journal, is first it has to be on a yellow tablet. Don't know why, for me it just does. My prayer book and everything else can be on something different, but these moments I have seen God, has to be written on yellow. Second, anything pertaining to God's handprint is written in purple. This can be an event I realized could have only been by God, or a verse that some how was brought to my attention that spoke volumes, a devotional that seemed to answer prayer... just whatever it is that I know God has shown me that He was there. Sometimes I will also use a red pen to journal the events leading up to my sighting... but the actual answer, or whatever God did, I write in purple. I then use a blue pen to journal my thoughts and prayers about this sighting God has given me.

So anyway there I sat yesterday at this spot. I prayed for a little bit, and then I picked up the notepads and started reading through the purple passages. I smiled at some, took a deep breath over others, and rejoiced at the ones I had completely forgotten. You see for one, it is important that we create memory stones to have that will remind us of God's Work, and Word He has spoken to us. It is also equally important that we go back and visit the memories, otherwise in the day to day life, we forget things. For instance, on January 3rd, 2010, I had written in purple, 1 Peter 2:2 "May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." And in my notes I had written: "My question to you the other night; 'What is full measure-- what does that mean?"  You see a few days before, I had the strongest impression during my quiet time of "full measure." And since this was not a phrase I use, I knew it was from God, I just had no idea what it meant or why this was so strong in my heart. But a few days later, this verse was brought to my attention, and upon doing a deeper study of it, I found that what God was telling me was "COMPLETELY." That what He was working in me and for me, will be in the fullest measure-- it will be completely finished. God will not leave His promises to me done only half way. That though it may be taking a very long time, it will be done COMPLETELY and in the fullest measure.

For me this moment WAS a God moment I will be able to journal, because He used this time to remind of things I had forgotten, that I very much needed to be reminded of. After I went through the tablets, I sat in quietness and was looking out at the sky. From where I was sitting, it was beautiful. The color of blue was the prettiest shade, and looking around, there was not a cloud in the sky, except for the one directly in front of me. However it wasn't really a cloud, there was white but in a stroke like fashion. Basically what I mean is, it wasn't a solid white cloud. It looked as if someone had taken a paintbrush and wiped it off on a blue sheet. You could see blue through the white, and it really appeared as if you could see the brush strokes in it.

I sat there for the longest time in appreciation for God's design, and thought about what I had just read. It occurred to me that, though I had not had a "Word Spoken" in my life or in my circumstances that moved mountains, or crumbled walls.... God has been with me the whole time. He has been walking with me. And it was a reminder of a verse I highlighted in my Bible a while back: I will walk with you and be your God, and you will be my people. (Lev. 26:12 NCV) Again, looking up at the sky and the stroke of white, I reminded myself that the same God whose hand can span the heavens, is big enough to topple mountains when it is time. But in the meantime, I have these reminders that God has given me quiet nods of His head to show me that He is there, and has been listening, and walking with me.

This has made me think about the giftbaskets I use to make. I knew what the finished basket was suppose to look like, because I already had a picture of it in my mind. So I could go about designing it in just the right way-- because I was the designer. I was the creator, and knew what pieces it needed and what had to go in first, in order for the basket to come out the way I intended for the customer. In the same way, God knows what His painting of my life is suppose to look like, and because HE IS THE ARTIST-- not me-- He knows in what way to mix the colors and paint the canvas in such a way (and in order) that it  will look like the way HE has intended for it to be. And though He has given me glimpses of what it will look like, I have to wait until He is ready to unveil the finished picture, before seeing how all this is all going to come together.

One final note about yesterday... as I got ready to leave my space, I turned on the car and got ready to drive away, and on the radio was the end of a song I didn't recognize but the voice was singing, "I see now, You've been with me all along...." I had to smile. If I hadn't been certain that my quiet time was orchestrated by God already, this would be the confirmation that I was in the right place, and spending time that was needed.

PRAYING IN FAITH;
      Father God, I come before You in thanksgiving of Your time I had with You yesterday. Lord, Thank You for the reminder that You have been walking with me. Thank You for Your faithfulness in showing me what I had forgotten. Lord I praise You as the everlasting God, and that Your hand does span the heavens and measures out the sea and everything in our lives. Lord, You alone are God, no one needs to give You direction or understanding. You do not ask or need our counsel but it is we that need You. And You will make Your Will know, if we but spend time to ask, and then listen.
     Lord, I lift up this reader with me today. Lord, I ask that You watch over them and protect them. Lord, I ask You to guard their steps and lead them in the way YOU would have them to go. Lord, I ask You to go before them and clear the path for them. I also pray that they will be able to look back at today and see the traces of Your handprints, and see You have been there all along.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

My friend, have a wonderful and blessed day,

Kassie

Don't Let Your Obstacles Become Giants

Today's post comes from Kassie at Guiding Light From His Word

“Earth, shake with fear before the LORD,
before the God of Jacob.
He turned a rock into a pool of water, a hard rock into a spring.”
(Ps 114:7-8)

This week, if you come up against obstacles that try to become giants in front of you-- remember, it is "the almighty God”  alone that makes the earth tremble. As long as we are steady in Him, then the obstacle remains simply that-- an obstacle, and God Himself gives us the strength to handle them, (or) to go through them, to withstand them, and to get past them.

If you start to fret about, “But, how…” remind yourself, and take heart, that the same God who provided water from a rock to care for His people, still does amazing things now. God has not changed. His Word says, "The Lord says, 'This is my agreement with these people: My Spirit and my words that I give you will never leave you or your children or your grandchildren, now and forever.'" (Isa. 59:21)

Jesus, who came to earth as God in human form, said, "Earth and sky will be destroyed, but the words I have said will never be destroyed." (Mark 13:31)

Hold to the promise that  "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Heb. 13:7)  My friend, whatever "need" you are facing right now, know that you too, (just like the people of Israel) could be standing right in front of a blessing, without you even realizing it.  The source you need maybe right in plain sight, it just might have a different exterior than you are expecting. Don’t limit God from the impossible He can perform in your life.  He can provide in many different ways, and in some ways you would never have expected. Nothing is impossible with God when He is about to "pour out water from a rock" when one of His children are in desperate need of supply.  Just remember the Israelites went 3 days before they saw God's mighty hand. He was waiting for them to quite complaining about the "lack of" and to "ask Him."

Whatever "obstacle" you face this week-- let it remain just that-- an obstacle. Stand in faith that you serve a faithful God. Don't let whatever it is become a giant. Know that mountains are merely the size of an ant hill to the one who created the heavens and earth. He is more than able, and we are more than conquerors in Him.

My friend, God will make a way for you-- because FAITHFUL is the one who calls you.

Blessing to you today and this week.


Praying in Faith:
"Father God, thank You for being our God. Lord, I still believe You are a God of wonder, and that You have not changed. I still believe that You are a God who will do a mighty work for those who wait on You and trust You. Lord, I praise You as my God. Lord, not only are You my God-- but You are the God of this reader, and I pray You will open thier eyes to see You in an amazing way.  Lord, I ask You to strengthen them in their spirit. Lord, I ask You to help them to stand firm in their resolve to follow You. 
~In Christ Jesus name, Amen~

God Is My Strength

This week's post comes from Kassie at Guiding Light From His Word

TODAY IN HIS WORD COMES FROM
(Acts 27:13-15 NIV)
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they
had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete.
Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island.
The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind;
so we gave way to it and were driven along.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:
When we are hit with storms in this life, it is important to anchor our self to the One who is stable and can not be moved. It is a must for us to keep our focus on Him who calls us to "come." There is more to it than just the standard phrase of "you can either sink or swim..." Sometimes He calls us to have the faith to walk on water.

TODAY’S INSIGHT INTO HIS WORD:
One morning back in the middle of November of this last year, as I write this, I went to take my dogs out back. As I was chaining our one dog up, I felt the slightest breeze brush across my face. I remember smiling and looking up and taking a deep breath. Though the sun was shining, there was a definite chill in the air, not really cold but pretty nipping. And in the quietness of my heart I heard, "A Northeaster is blowing." I remember smiling and kinda laughing to myself, the soft breeze was nothing like a northeaster, so I chalked my thoughts up to being silly. About two hours later, I got on my computer to load the "Wednesday's with Beth" series I like to watch. As it came on, I curled up with my hot tea, notepad and Bible and got ready to be inspired. As the show Beth started introducing what she would be speaking about, and asked the viewers to turn to Acts 27 and look at verses 13-20. I hadn't quite gotten my Bible opened when I heard as she started talking about the Northeaster Storm that Paul was about to hit! Now needless to say I was speechless! I paused the program, opened up my Bible software and did a search for the word "Northeaster" to see how many times it talks about this. ONE time! It comes up exactly ONE time in the entire Bible-- and it just happened to be what Beth was teaching on this day! I got on my knees and asked God to open my ears to whatever it was He was trying to show me, and help me to understand His message He had for me. I also thanked Him for getting my attention.

Three weeks later the beginning of my storm hit, and when it did, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath me, and I had been hit in the gut. For forty solid days all I could do was focus on breathing. The first thing that happened hurt so much that all I wanted to do was double over. After that it was as if someone had opened up the flood gates, because everything came colliding in from all directions right on top of me. There were some days I would open up my notebook and look at some of the things I had jotted down that morning in November, and I would go back and read Acts 27:13-44 over and over again. I would go and sit in my special prayer spot and just put my head down, and try to listen to God, but it seemed like there was nothing but silence in the midst of this all. I had to remind myself that God had warned me that I would hit a storm. I had to keep going back to those notes I had taken, and the indepth study I had done on Acts 27, and the storm that Paul went through. After many days I could say I knew exactly what it meant in verse 20 when it says, "When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved."

Instead of things getting better for me, it seemed as if everything went from bad to worse. In tears I would read out loud verses 22-25,  "But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island." Also, this is where I need to state that during this time, I haven't been able to write. When I work on these devotionals, or any writing projects, I spend a lot of time in prayer and studying. It is very important to me that when I write-- it is "God's Message" I feel I am sharing and not just my own words. So you might have noticed that there have been days when I did not post a devotional, or if I did, it was something I had written before calamity struck.

It has now been three months since my storm hit. Has my situation changed? In some ways, not really. He hasn't taken the ache from my side, but in other ways I can say that the pounding waves from all directions have let up, and like Paul I think I have "run aground on some island." However, at this point, I am happy for dry land. I can actually smile now and remind myself that a few years ago while I was getting ready to start writing, "The Very Heart of Worship" I prayed that God would give me faith to walk on water. I am here to tell you, I think He heard me! Now in saying this, I know that there will be some who will say, "Well be careful what you pray for..." but the thing is when we pray according to GOD'S WILL we can know it will be done. So apparently my prayer was according to His Will, and when the storm hit Jesus said, "Come." 

The reason I share all this with you today is really NOT to depress you, but to tell you that through this all; God's Word has proven true. He really does bind up the broken hearted. He really does give strength to the weary. In the evenings I have walked up to the top floor of my office and watched the sun go down, and it is as if God has said, "I really am bigger, and I have been here before." So often in the mornings as I take my youngest son to school, and I look out at the beautiful sky, I am reminded that His mercies are made new each day. And when He says, "My grace is sufficient," I have found that He really does hold you up. And each day, I have found renewed strength to take another step. I can honestly say that I have found that when I get the to very end of me, and I have absolutely NOTHING LEFT-- I find that God is there to do so much more. And I have found hope in "That all things are possible to those who believe." God truly has been my strength to get through. My friend, He will do the same for you.

My friend, if you are reading this devotional, then apparently you are not dead. So take comfort in the fact that because you are still breathing-- no matter how hard that breath may be to take-- God is not done. He is not finished with you yet, and each morning when you rise, know His mercies are made new, and there is still hope. He will give you strength to take yet another step until He gets you where He wants you to be, and until you come into ALL that He has for you. Remember that the one who calls you is Faithful. It is by HIS power, and not your strength, that mountains will move and obstacles will crumble, and a path for you will be made.

PRAYING IN FAITH:
Father God, thank You that You warn us of things to come. We just need but listen. Thank you for guiding us, and being with us. Thank You for holding us up, and seeing us through. Thank You Lord for Your strength and mercies that are extended to us each day. Lord, we praise You for  Your faithfulness and being a good God. Lord, we praise You for being our God. Lord, please be with this reader come what may, and help them to know You are by their side..
In Christ Jesus Name,
Amen.

Before We Need

This week's post comes from Kassie at Guiding Light From His Word

Then the LORD spoke this word to Elijah:

“Leave this place and go east and hide near Kerith Ravine east of the Jordan River.
You may drink from the stream, and I have commanded ravens to bring you food there.”
So Elijah did what the LORD said; he went to Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan,
 and lived there. The birds brought Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening,
and he drank water from the stream."
(First Kings 17:2-5)

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The interesting thing about this passage is that God said He had “commanded”,  notice that God did not tell Elijah “Go, and I will command…” or “Go, and this is what I am planning to do…”or even “Go, and this is what I am thinking to do…” God said He had commanded. This means that God had already taken care of  the need for food. He had already made provisions. Before Elijah had arrived there, gotten hungry or needed the food, God had already supplied it. Before the need was ever actually a “need”, God had already taken care of this for Elijah. All Elijah had to do was trust that God would be faithful to His word and provide what He Himself had promised. Elijah had to take God at His word and trust that the provisions God had already promised, would in fact be there.

This is an awesome reminder that God is all knowing. He already knew what Elijah would need before he ever got to this Kerith Ravine. Before God had even commanded Elijah to “GO”, God knew what was already there- the stream- but He also knew what would be missing- the food- so God provided.

This also teaches us that if God tells us to “GO” then we can trust that He has already scouted out the area, knows what is there and what we will need and will make provisions for us. The place God is sending us to may be “unknown territory” for us, but God has already gone ahead of us.

I will provide for their needs before they ask,
and I will help them while they are still asking for help.
Isa 65:24 (NCV)

Have you ever been in a situation, possibly you're praying “God please…” and then that very day, or even the day after, you read a devotional or hear a sermon, and it is exactly what you needed? That the very thing you had been thinking about, praying about, or asking about-- even the words that you used-- there it is, the answer you were seeking. Just think, in order for the answer to be given to you at the exact time you needed, weeks possibly even months before, God was working in an individual to write or prepare their thoughts to create a sermon, lesson or devotional that would eventually be placed before you at just the right time to be the answer God had for you.

Have you ever turned on the radio, or picked up a book and in the quietness of your heart, between you and God, all the sudden He is answering you. Think of all the steps, all the pieces having to be put into place just to be ready for when you needed it. Or a job that is suddenly available. You start working, and find out that the preparation or the events leading up to it’s opening for you, actually started weeks before.

Then think about the magnitude of what God would do and the lengths He will go, just for you. Before you needed it, before it was your concern or a thought, before you asked, God in heaven was already preparing to answer you.

• Today, before you go any further, remember God has already been there for you. He has already scouted out the terrain; He has already inquired, and made provisions for you. Thank God that wherever it is that He is sending you, He has already provided for you.

• Today, before you go any further, just think, the LORD our God, has already been at work and has answered you.

• Today, before you go any further, Thank God, that he cares for you.

Praying in Faith:
Father God, thank You that You go before us and know all of our needs. Thank You Lord, for providing for us before we even realize what our needs are. We praise You Father God for all that You are to us, and all that You do for us. We praise You and thank You for this day that You have created and that You are watching over us."
In Christ Jesus name, Amen

My friend, have a wonderful and blessed day, and know that you are thought about.
May God shine upon you.