I have to admit this hasn't been the best week of my life. It's a long story, but God is in the midst of it all. It was no coincidence that my favorite Bible study teacher was on television and spoke about the battles we are facing and is doing a series on, "What to do when you don't know what to do". You guessed it, Beth Moore on Life Today. I had recently read the verses she was talking about in 2 Chronicles, so they were familiar to me!
O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." (2 Chron 20:12)
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. (2 Chron 20:15)
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his [d] holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
"Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever."
(2 Chron 20:21)
How quickly I forgot these verses! Beth reminded us to change what we are saying when we are battling something in our lives. She said that the more we talk about our problems, the more we believe them and Faith comes by hearing. We will be defeated and believe the lies. She also reminded us to be intentional about our Praise. The above verse tells us to give thanks to the LORD in all things. We need to Praise our way out of the battle. This does not come naturally to me and I need a whole lot more of the Holy Spirit in my life to Praise Him in the storm.
If you are in a battle I pray you can Praise your way out!
I am thankful my daughter is in town for her dad's birthday and a wedding this weekend!
I am thankful my son has the opportunity to go to England and is leaving this Saturday!
I am thankful for the beautiful weather we are having in Michigan!
I am thankful for all of the godly women He has given me!
I am thankful for His Word and His promises!
I am thankful for God and am Believing Him to reveal Himself in a huge way! The battle is His, not mine! What a relief!
With so much gratitude for what He's already done in my life!
Angie xoxo
18 comments:
And I am thankful for you! :)
At church just a few short weeks ago we were reminded that most of the time complainers focus on the problem and not the provider. Oh, how I needed to hear that!
CANNOT wait to hug your neck!
Love ya,
Linds
Thanks for the reminder! Beth is so intuned to God and her God given wisdom is so simple and true! I need to start speaking truth and not listening to circumstances!
And I thank the Lord for you and your post!
Annette
Hmmmm, and I thought Beth was speaking to ME.
Funny how Godworks like that ... and so often uses our Mama Siesta as His tool!
Becky Jo
(and yes, it has be lovely here in Michigan!!!)
Ang,
I also saw that and Beth was speaking to me as well. The line I have written all over the place is when she said "we most believe what we most rehearse".
Blessings!
Michelle
I love how God uses so many different things to touch us and teach us. I needed to hear Beth's lesson on speaking and believing. So I am thankful that God used you to bring that touch to me.
I am praying for you!
love,
karen
I'm going to have to watch this online...thank you so much for these words and the insight and the beautiful truth and reminder.
Prayers for you,
Fran
I believe I recall hearing part of that message from Beth. I only caught the tail end and was in a rush getting ready.
Thank you for sharing and for this great reminder.
Yes, it is extremely hard to praise Him in the storm but it is also extremely important. I believe praising Him in the storm releases His power. It sounds odd and I don't know that there is any biblical basis to that but I believe it. I believe when our attitude is praising in the hard times, He sees that, it affects Him and He acts.
Thank you, Angie. It is always a pleasure to visit you.
Love,
Paula
i don't know what you are going through, but know that i am praying. i also blogged about Beth's teaching the other day, powerful words.
love you my friend,
sheryl
On Tuesday morning in Ministries Staff, our youth pastor did our devo. It was on these exact verses. He had us answer trivia questions and not one of us got all the answers right. He said we in ministry are expected to have all the answers, but we don't. The battle is the Lord's. Your post is confirmation to me to pay attentions to these verses. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to meeting you in SA.
Do not stop! Keep moving forward! Do not give up!
I love you.
Goose
I am thankful for you and for your awesome post
Hi Angie.. (((Hugz))) I thank the Lord for *U* my sister, you bless me in such a special way. Remember how the musicians always went out before the battles, what a reminder to know we already have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. An elderly woman at our church used to say..
Don't wait till the battles over, "shout Now"
"Praise him Now", lol I luv it.. Hugz Lorie
Great post. Thanks for the reminder. We all need to praise Him in the midst of every storm we come up against. He truly inhabits the praise of His people. Thanks for the reminder that we need to focus on the proveder and not the problem. He is much bigger than ANY problem we come up against. I have found if I focus on Him and not the problem, that the problem will shrink and He will handle it for me. Blessings on your week end. Have a great time with your daughter.
Ang.
Wow you must have known I neede this tonight, I am just bending the curve from a really icky period of time... And I read these verses and I knew that I needed to let it go and not dwell on it any longer... So here is to a brighter week...
YOu are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU
It just gets so hard sometimes, doesn't it? I feel it is so important to remember to praise and thank God IN all things...while we are in the midst of the problem. Not that we thank Him FOR all things. I think He knows there are just things that we can not...in our human strength...be thankful for. But, we can be thankful for who He is and for His promises IN all things.
I would like to recommend a book to you, mu friend. You may have to order it from a Christian book store. The title is FAITH IS NOT A FEELING...it is by Ney Bailey.
Published by Waterbrook Press, a division of Random House. Copyright 2002.ISBN 1-57856-343-7.
This is an excellent book and is quik and easy to read. I have found it to be one of the most important books I have ever read. It helped me to see just what 'having faith' is all about.
Tonja
Many blessings to be thankful for. You are so right, but those trials can just bring us down. I like to think about the God I serve is so big, yet He KNOWS me...no matter what you are going through, He is what You need. He loves you Ang and yet keeps our little place we call home suspended in space and doesn't skip a beat. He is so much bigger than we are. I will be praying for you, mostly for peace and a quietness to hear His still soft voice.
Hi sweet friend! As always, you have great posts that makes us think and you motivate us to draw closer to Him!
My Mom and Aunt visited all last week so I'm gradually getting caught up on my blog reading. Happy Anniversary!
HUgs!
Kat
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