BitterSweet

Sorry this devotional is a little long... Take 5 minutes and read it if you get a chance. My hope is that you will be blessed by it. SMILE!

Bitter Sweet
“So Moses brought the children of Israel from the Red Sea ; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Exodus 15:22-23

After pondering this scripture this week, the Lord revealed something exciting to me. Take a trip back to Egypt with me…there in exodus. If you recall, Exodus 15 begins with Moses’ song, as the children of Israel sing of God’s faithfulness after tasting victory. After the waters were split and the Lord provided a “Way” of escape, they would find themselves in rich jubilee. But yet, three days later, they were parched. Their faithful God had no water for them. Hopeless, helpless, and I’m sure puzzled the children of Israel were wondering how this was going to work out. I can picture myself in that position. “Lord, you were just here, we won, I tasted victory, what happened? Where are you??” Then the children of Israel would look to their leader, Moses. “What now? Do you have any answers?” And Moses does that which I consider perfect. He did not create something on his own, nor did he look to become a hero in the situation, he simply cried out to the Lord. Then came his answer. There was a tree, the Lord uprooted it, and cast it into the water. That which was brutally bitter, became their sweet satisfaction. And the Lord would not stop there, but would lead them to a place called Elim, of which there would be an abundance of water.

Let’s make this connection. Let’s get to the foot of the cross and see just what the Lord might want to tell you and me. You see when thirst arose and they were left with bitter water, I believe Jesus would want to meet with them just as he did with the woman at the well there in John 4. “…whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst (John 4:14 )” Then God would bring it to terms with them. He would provide a perfect picture. There would sit a tree that God would provide to make a bitter situation sweet. Now when I think of a tree in scripture, I can’t help but be reminded of a tree that would wear passionate love. This tree would hold up perfection and be stained with blood for all bitterness. This tree would stand on calvary. You see, all God did was take this tree that already stood there and placed it in the middle of the situation. He placed it in the center of the problem. For that which was completed there on Good Friday, would be the answer to any problem. Redemption would become the remedy for a broken being. Hardship can only turn to happiness in light of the cross. And again I say that that which was bitter became sweet. But it doesn’t stop there. After the test, with the Answer in mind, the Lord would lead them to a camp with an abundance of water, an overflow of blessings. That is just how He works, always more than we need.

Sometimes it seems when we reach the top. When life is great and the blessings are abundant, that we find ourselves tripping to fall all the way down the mountain. Our lives then landing there on rock bottom, we wonder where God is. “But she was perfect for me, that job fit me so well, I was doing great in that class, where did You go? Why did You let it go??” When God’s reply is that His ways are not always our ways. That wanting His will would require us to be willing to accept that which might not seem right at the time. I encourage you today Christian, that when you hit bottom, do not forget to put the “tree” there in center of your situation. Do not loose focus, but rather gain a perspective that forces you to be dependent and allows God to be in control. Be of good cheer, He has plans for you. Jeremiah would remind us that the Lord thinks thoughts toward us of peace and not of evil, to give us a future and a hope (29:11). If you are at the bottom today, I would encourage you to stand in that hope. Chase Jesus, deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Him (Matt. 16:24 ). For right around the corner, or maybe for some right over the hill and around the bend there sits Elim, God’s place of abundance for you. Where you can truly taste and see that the Lord is good. Be encouraged Christians and don’t forget how much He loves you!

Much love…Ryan

Just Wait

Sometimes the perfect answer is to just wait. Enjoy His love!

Go To Sleep
" But while he thought about these things, behold an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 1:20

As we look at this passage, one would have to recall that which was occupying the mind of Joseph prior to this incident. So there he is in love with a woman, whom he believes to be a virgin, when this news comes up... Mary is pregnant. Talk about bringing him down, for you see, in Jewish law, in that day, if a man or woman was to cheat on their spouse, they would be killed. Joseph, so in love with this woman, looks past her possible sin, sees the result of an unfaithful wife, and yet waits to respond. Now wait a second, what would you do in this situation? I know I would of probably jumped to a conclusion or made an accusation. My emotions might of got the best of me, and fear and anger quite possibly would of controlled me. But wait, we see what happens. As Joseph ponders, prays, and then falls asleep...God delivers an answer. He didn't work to obtain it, or gripe to gain it. He waited on the Lord. The result was a perfect answer: the Son of God, through his still virgin wife.

This passage possibly reminds you of another story. There at the beginning of time. As you would recall, Adam left alone after pairing up all the animals. Now Adam could of created a mate. Now that mate wouldn't of been "bone of his bone, nor flesh of his flesh" but he could of made it work. Maybe Miss Chimpanzee would have worked. I could picture him saying, "Pucker up monkey, your mine! ;)" But he didn't. No in fact he found himself doing the same thing Joseph did. He fell asleep. Yep you got it...when he woke up, there she was. The perfect answer. She in fact would be "bone of his bone, and yes, flesh of his flesh." When he stopped trying to make something happen, there came help. That help would become his "help mate". So we can see how once again waiting created wonders.

So what exactly does this mean for you and me. Well, each and every day we have to make decisions. Some of them minor, and some of them are life changing. But our tendency is to want to make something happen. We want to muster something up, create conclusions, and yet we often find ourselves failing miserably. So my encouragement for you today is to wait on the Lord. Isaiah would put it this way, "Those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Christian, know that God is in control. Live it up, trust in your Maker, and Smile...He has got you covered. He hasn't forgot about you, He knows your need. Find yourself trusting more, praying often, and waiting patiently.

Don't forget you are free and forgiven. Now walk in the newness of life :)

Biggest Blessings...ryan

Poetic Picture

I often find myself painting pictures through poems. Sometimes with multiple meanings, other times with expressing emotions, but always considering His redeeming love. Here's one:

Once Abandoned Now Abounding

Fallen frail, sin exposed

Accused accursed, filth arose

Mystery marks, finger to sand

Written words, awaken the man

Still surrounded, their eyes to see

Protecting power, watching me

Feathers fall, as burdens bow

Prideful persons, has left now

Seeing sin, stories to tell

Braking bones, conviction yells

Speaking speck, my heart to hear

Protruding plank, in the mirror

Beginning blind, finally see

Tattered torn, yet forgiven free

Remorse rendered, me instead

Forgetting failings, looking ahead

History hearkens, a blameless call

Grace granted, for us all

Love learns, a judging trade

To humbly live, a lesson made

Take a minute to look at the story of the adulterous woman there in John 8. This poem is intended to express the emotions of one who would be surrounded, guilty, but yet freed just like her. Take it to heart...smile!
ryan

as my wheels begin to turn

I consider it a privilege and even a blessing to have the opportunity to share my thoughts concerning my King Jesus, and the wonderful things He does in my life. I can't even begin to describe to you the value of His blessings toward me. The fact that He would even consider me is beyond my understanding. I try to put words to describe an indescribable God, but words cannot contain His Person. So I consider this a start of me trying to express His image, and explain His love with a vehicle of many words to simply draw nearer to who He really is. For the world in itself cannot contain Him, but yet somehow my little heart can...

smile!

ryan