This, Is A Test...

Judges 2:20-3:4

²⁰ The LORD's anger burned against Israel, and He declared, "Because this nation has violated My covenant that I made with their fathers and disobeyed Me, ²¹ I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. ²² [I did this] to test Israel and to see whether they would keep the LORD' s way by walking in it, as their fathers had." ²³ The LORD left these nations and did not drive them out immediately. He did not hand them over to Joshua.

¹ These are the nations the LORD left in order to test Israel, since none of these Israelites had fought in any of the wars with Canaan. ² This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites [how to fight in] battle, especially those who had not fought before. ³ [These nations included:] the five rulers of the Philistines ^(C) and all of the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanese mountains from Mount Baal-hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath.  ⁴ The LORD left them to test Israel, to determine if they would keep the LORD's commands He had given their fathers through Moses.

*Have you ever thought that perhaps a difficulty in your life is a test from God to show your loyalty to Him? God is also able to use these tests to our future benefit as well just as He did for the Israelites. As random and unfair as life may seem, God always has a reason for allowing things to happen. 

Are you passing the test?

What Has Your Faith Cost You?

I heard something interesting on the radio the other day. The DJ was talking about how some people claim Christianity is a cop out - that believing in Jesus Christ and claiming to follow Him is a way to avoid doing anything unpleasant or against your own desires: Basically, to live in denial and la-la land. So he posed the question, "What has your faith personally cost you?"

I'll post mine later today in the comments, but I'd like to know about you. Think about it. 

What has your faith in Jesus Christ cost you?

Luke 14: 25-35

Fundraising

My husband and I are praying about how to get to Ireland this fall. We know we need to go, and are saving as much of our tax refund as possible, but know we will need more. Well, I'd like your opinion. Should we send "support" letters to friends, family, and churches to raise the amount, or try a fundraising drive? 

I recently found The Samaritan Card. It looks like a possibility, but have never heard of anyone using it before. I admit, part of me hates the idea of "selling" something to go, but I'm willing to do whatever the Lord requires. We'll continue to pray about it till we get an answer!

I'd love any feed back! Have you used it/sold it? Do you think this is a good idea? Check out the link and let me know. 

Time For A Change

Busy, busy, busy. And, oh yea,.... BUSY!

God is doing a fresh work in my family's lives and that entails change. Now, the one thing I have learned about change is that it never involves "nothing". There is a constant push, pull , shift, and shove, which is necessary to form the change. You can't just sit back and continue in the same old way. Change after all is change.

One of the major changes is this blog. When God started me on the journey of putting my heart online, He was very strict in commitment. It was something I needed to do everyday- Thus the title: Everyday With God. There were certainly times where I was allowed to take off, but over the last two years - Yes, it really has almost been that long! - He burdened my heart with staying faithful to it. When I faltered or outright failed, He never let my heart forget that "Everyday" was what He had called me to do at that time and if I wanted to be committed to Him, I needed to show it through here.

As of late, God is changing what He requires of me for this blog. I will still continue to post, but the format will at times be different. When I have a burden or lesson He's teaching me, it will look much the same as it has before. However, posts may not come as frequently and will often contain just a quote, thought of the day, single Scripture, or question to ponder. I may even post passages that have touched me in books or studies I'm involved with, and I hope you will send me comments and suggestions of your own.

Any way you look at it, I pray you will be even more blessed an encouraged to grow in the Lord than you were before. After all, trying to live Everyday With God, is a journey we share.