Replenished Supply

Did you ever think of how the Lord replenished things for the Israelites? Daily He provided manna and quail for them to eat. He provided protection their whole lives and allowed them to be defeated a couple of times to humble them. When they were in the wilderness their clothes didn't wear out, neither did their shoes. Amazing! If only that would happen with my favorite skirts and shoes.
But really I was thinking of how they were in the wilderness because of their disobedience and they were there until all those that came out of Egypt died off. And to think that the God that replenished the Israelites' necessities is the same God I serve today. He will provide for me everyday, everything I need and even things I want. He will keep me safe and just like the Israelites humble me when needed, which seems to be very often. Praise the Lord that the God I serve is the same God that led Abraham, that comforted Ruth, convicted David of sin, gave Esther courage, endowed Solomon with wisdom, sent His Son to the cross, allowed Paul to live and serve with his infirmities, and give me the strength to live each day. What a privilege to live for God and not have to worry about anything! Because He still provides the same.

Such Great Compassion

I was reading in my devotions part of Psalm 78 this morning and I was struck by verses 35-39. The children of Israel are known for their murmuring and complaining, that's a given. But in verse 35 they knew the Lord was their rock, their redeemer. He took care of them, provided, protected, and promised them a great inheritance. They knew all the things the Lord said, the things He did for them, they grew up hearing all about it and seeing it. Then in the very next verse it says that they were hypocritical. They said one thing and did another, not just to people, but to GOD! And they knew He knew all. It was downright rebellion.
Verse 37 tells us why. It was simple, they weren't right with Him. They let sins get inbetween them and God, eventually they were bold enough to be hypocritical with God. What a scary thought! I pray that I never get to that point.
Yet in all this, outright hypocracy, lying, and forsaking what they knew, verse 38 begins with the word "But". What a great word! Despite their gross, outright sins, it says that He had compassion on them. He forgave all their sins. AND He didn't kill them! What compassion! What Love!
Then the Lord went on to explain in His blessed book why. "For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again." verse 39. That verse thrills my soul! He forgives us over and over because:

• He knows we're human
• We are only here for a little while
• We aren't ever coming back once we've gone. (I guess that proves reincarnation is false!)

Now that doesn't give us the right to sin, since He forgives us every time. But it does give us assurance that He forgives us, and when He does we know He forgives and forgets. And his compassion never ends,
"...His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lam 3:22-23)
What loving compassion the Father has for us sinners! Praise Him!

A Quote to Think About

I was reading a book the other day, Christy, by Catherine Marshall, and though it is fictional there was a part in it that I thought, "Wow! That is so true in our Christian lives. So will post it.

"What do you do when strength is called for and you have no strength? You evoke a power beyond your own (Christ's power in us) and use stamina you did not know you had. You open your eyes in the morning grateful that you can see the sunlight of yet another day. You draw yourself to the edge of the bed and them put one foot in front of the other-and keep going. You weep with those who gently close the eyes of the dead, and somehow, from the salt of your tears, comes endurance for them and for you. You pour out that resurgence to minister to the living." (p.477)

I thought it was neat how God can use anything to teach us a lesson. Sometimes we "know" we can't go on anymore, we just "can't" do it. But we are wrong in one sense, We cannot do it but God can through us. "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me." Phil.4:13

Then when we actually do it and we look back, we know the only way we got through that trial was with the Lord's help. I just thought it was neat.

Blessed Promise

"He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?"
Micah 6:8

He's All in All

Isn't it wonderful that Christ is all in all. He uses the word all so many times in Scripture that tell us all that He gives us. These are just a few of the verses that I found:

"Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumsision nor uncircumsision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."
Colossians 3:11

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakes of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
II Peter 1:3-4

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28

"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, than were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

"Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ."
Philippians 3:8

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ."
Philippians 4:7

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19

And there are things that the Lord wants us to do:

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."
I Peter 5:7

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;"
James 1:2

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Philippians 4:13

"And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."
Colossians 3:17

"Let all things be done decently and in order."
1 Corninthians 14:40

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your hearts before him: God is a refuge for us.Selah.
Psalm 62:8

"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life."
Proverbs 4:23

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Isn't it wonderful that we serve a God that is all and in all?