Need a Little Help Here

I haven't written in a while. I guess maybe because I have not had a lot to say. Usually I write when I read something in my quiet time that stirs my heart, or I feel God impressing something on me to share. Today I had one of those moments. 

I had dropped the last of the kids off at school for the day and I was on my way to work. This drive is not long, only about 5 minutes. I am a creature of habit (so I've been told) and I usually go the same route. Today was no different. On my drive I pass though mostly residential neighborhoods but don't usually come across many people - I guess because of the time of the morning, but today God wanted my attention.

On my way to work there is a section of road that has a hill, not a huge one in a car but for the little girl riding her bike to school, it was obvious it was a bit of a struggle. She was, in my estimation, probably about 7 or 8 and she was laden with a rather large back pack full of her school supplies which I am sure added to her struggle. Her father was riding his bicycle along side her to ensure her safety on their short journey. When he sensed her struggling, he came along side her on his bike and put his strong hand on the center of her backpack and just gave an extra bit of "umph" so that she could make it up the hill.

God had started the wheels turning. But if that one picture was not enough, I continued on a few more blocks and came across another little girl even smaller than the first one, also sporting a rather large backpack relative to her size. This one was trying desperately to get into her families SUV with little success. Once again, along came her father making ready her seat, and helped her achieve her goal.

Not one but two examples of the same thing within 2 minutes of each other. OK God, I get it.

What a beautiful reminder that when I struggle appears to be a steep hill in my life or come across what seems to be an impossible task, my Father in heaven is there right long side me to give me that extra push needed or to lift me up when I don't have the strength on my own.

Why do you say, Israel, 

“The Lord is not aware of what is happening to me,
My God is not concerned with my vindication”?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is an eternal God,
the creator of the whole earth.
He does not get tired or weary;
there is no limit to his wisdom.

He gives strength to those who are tired;
to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.

Even youths get tired and weary;
even strong young men clumsily stumble. 

But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength;
they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings,
they run without growing weary,
they walk without getting tired.

Isaiah 40:27-31

So are you like the little girls I saw today, needing a bit of extra help fro your Father to make it through? I know I am! The great thing is that He is faithful to give us the help if we will only ask. He is there right beside us, just waiting... 

Dry Bones Come to Life!

In my daily reading I came across, once again, a passage of scripture in Ezekiel that struck my heart today. Rarely do I copy large sections of scripture for you to read, but this one paints a picture you should not miss. Read on:

A Valley of Dry Bones - Ezekiel 37

1 The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones.2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out.3 Then he asked me, "Son of man, can these bones become living people again?"
  "O Sovereign Lord ," I replied, "you alone know the answer to that."  4 Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, `Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord !5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord .'"  7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them.  9 Then he said to me, "Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, `This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.'"  10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.

Do you ever feel like you are lying in a valley and are nothing more than a heap of dry bones? No life breath left in you? Stripped of all that made you worth anything to anyone?

Well I do!

But this passage of scripture gives me hope! 

As I close my eyes and picture this vision that God gave to Ezekiel, the sheer power of the Lord and His words wash over me again. These dry bones heard the words of the Lord and came back to life. His words put flesh back on the bones and caused life giving breath to be in their bodies once again. But it doesn't stop there. 

The last line of verse 10 doesn't say that they went about their mundane, everyday lives - it says they became a great army! An ARMY!

When I really dig in to God's word and breath in the life that they afford to me, I feel strong and able to conquer the world. I certainly don't feel that way on my own, especially when I am not hearing His life giving words.

God's word helps you conquer _____________ (you fill in the blank). He WILL take your dry bones and give them life once again, but you have to be in His word to hear them, to absorb them, to breathe them in and to let them permeate your being. 

Breathe them in today. 

If you need some accountability, start a reading plan on Youversion. It's free and you can list someone to get emails of your reading progress. If you don't have anyone to be accountable to - feel free to put my name in there (jtouchberry@mcfbc.org). Do what ever it takes to fill yourself with His words of life once again!

Taking for Granted

In my bible reading right now, I am in the book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a prophet during the time when the Israelites were taken captive by the Babylonians. Most of the book is God telling Ezekiel to tell the people how angry He was with them for turning away from Him and seeking other gods, etc.

It struck me today that we, as new covenant believers, really take for granted what the blood of Jesus has done for us. So many times we forget what the wrath of God looks like because we choose to "camp out" reading the books of the Bible that make us feel comfortable with their portrayal of God. He is our "friend" and "God is love". Yes and yes - but good grief, spend a little time reading the prophets in the old testament and you will see the holy wrath side of God that makes me shudder to my core. God is the same today as He was then, our sins have just been covered by the blood of Christ so God's wrath is appeased. If not, I know I would have been  removed from this earth by God's wrath a long time ago. 

So today, I am once again struck by the power of the blood of Christ and it's ability to cleanse a sinner like me and turn me in to someone that can boldly approach the throne of God. 

Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see.

Lord, today I thank you for the merciful sacrifice of Jesus on my behalf. Once again, all I can do is give my life back to You. Do with me as you will. I am Yours!