The Spa

Joshua 21:45
Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled
Joshua 21:44
The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them.
Joshua 22:4
Now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as he promised, return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you on the other side of the Jordan.
Dear Friend:
Going to “The Spa” for all sorts of different massages is the thing to do today to relieve our stress. Believe me I know that they can help. By word of mouth we find the right spa and person to do the massage.
The Israelites went through so much from the years that they were enslaved in Egypt till their freedom and rest in the promiseland. Moses, Aaron and Joshua listened to the Lord and lead them to their spa. Now I know it was not like our spas today. They were led to their property and where they would take up their rest. Joshua when finally resting in the promiseland took the time to reflect on the goodness of God and His faithfulness. We have the word of the Lord trying to reassure us that we can rest. From Joshua, Jesus and on through today we find many faithful servants who found their rest in the Lord.
Let’s pray: Faithful Father help me today to find rest in you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Resting at the spa called “Jesus”,
Elaine

Sand Paper

Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Dear Friend:

Do you have a person in your life that rubs you like sand paper rubs on a wall? Sand paper makes a surface smooth.

There are two ways of looking at sharpening. There are those Christian friends who speak to you in love and give you constructive criticism. When I receive constructive criticism it usually never offends me. My response to their comment goes something like this “oh ,okay I need to change this in me.” Sometimes God puts a teacher, spouse, co-worker, parent in our lives and they are driving you crazy and it’s hard to respond to them in a nice way. Can you think of that person or persons?

Today I want to suggest to you that maybe, just maybe, God put that person in your life to “Sharpen” you. God always has us in the school of “Pruning, Refining, and Sanctifying.” Why? So we can become more like Jesus.
Let’s pray:
Father in Heaven help me to see who have you put in my life that is helping to sharpen me and make me more like you? Help me to learn and grow with your plan. Help me to respond righteously to this person. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Being sharpened,
Elaine

You Can't Always Get What You Want #2

1Kings 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.

Dear Friend:

As I wrote in the last e-mail 3 equations
God +Baal=more
God + psychic=knowing more
God + other spiritual teachings= your own religion

These equations are false. Something plus God does not really get us more. It does not add up. Adding anything to God just makes God jealous. When something is false you get nothing. A great example of this comes from 1Kings 18 the story of Elijah testing the Israelites and their god. Elijah tells the people “get two bulls for us. Let them choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire-he is God.” (verse 24) You get the picture, their god is not a god therefore their firewood could not start on fire praying to their god. But of course Elijah even throws water on his wood and then calls on God and his firewood ignites. Because our God is the true one and only God.

Pray with me: Father you are the true one and only God to follow. Help me never to try and add to you anything. Help me to know Father when I am trying to add anything so I can confess that to you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Praising God,
Elaine

You Can't Always Get What You Want

Deuteronomy 32:16
They made him jealous with their foreign gods and angered him with their detestable idols.

Dear Friend:

Do you remember when someone was jealous of you? Or maybe you remember when you were jealous of what someone else had.

God calls the Israelites His people. He was the one and only God. He continually just asked for their hearts. He would take care of everything else. God at times so desperately wanted the Israelites to get this that he would supply just enough food for one day at a time. The people were satisfied for a while but then wanted more. Does this sound familiar? People will never change. We want more so we add more. How did they handle their needs? They began to take charge and conjure up plans in their minds of how they can get more! I believe God was most disappointed when the Israelites did this
God + Baal = more Baal was the god of weather and fertility.
Do we today try and add to God something so we can get what we want? You know the famous song? “You can’t always get what you want?”
We have a jealous God who created us for a reason and sometimes we just can’t do what he wants us to do. For instance, I know someone that just wanted to know her future and went to a psychic. That would be the equation God + psychic=knowing more
God + money=more stuff
God + other teachings on spirituality(possibly Oprah)=your own religion
Think on that!
Let’s pray: Father in heaven forgive me for not just relying on you and your provision. I want to be faithful to you. Help me today to just have the faith to wait on you. Show me the things that have been making you jealous. In Jesus name I Pray. Amen

Asking God,
Elaine