GodandMe2theMax

"My ways are not your ways."

Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

This is the verse God has had me chewing on the last 24 hours. Maybe a better description is that it's been gnawing at me rather than me chewing on it.

You see, since Wednesday, I've been with my daughter's high school debate team at their national qualifier tournament. By far, it's been the most discouraging competition that I've ever attended as a parent. Our debate team was expected to do very well. The coach told me he's usually nervous going into this tournament, but this year he felt they were more prepared than ever. However, one by one, the leading debaters and orators from our school were dropping like flies, with quite questionable judging. I listened as the students told me about the repeated unfairness in their rounds. Controversy abounded, including in my daughter Amber's event of Original Oratory (OO). I shook my head as she was eliminated from the competition just before the final round.

Amber's speech surrounds the medical journey we've encountered with my son Jacob. It's personal and powerful, and she delivers it incredibly well. In fact, she delivered it perfectly in every round throughout the competition, yet she was still eliminated, in spite of others who advanced while forgetting their lines. A travesty? If you witnessed what I witnessed, you may think so, too. However, my ever spiritual husband reminded me that if God wanted her to go to nationals and tell Jacob's story, He would have provided a way for her to do just that.

"Thank you, Frank, for stating the obvious." OK, ok, he meant well. But sometimes you really don't need your spouse to tell you what you already know. To be honest, that just made me more mad. He meant well, he really did. But the truth is that I didn't want to hear the truth from him. I didn't want to accept this travesty as truth.

We got in at 1 AM Sunday morning, but even though it was late, I was determined to go to church. I knew I needed to. I knew God was going to speak to me. I knew I needed Him to speak to me. Sure enough, He did. You know what He said? He told me, "My ways are not your ways." And when He did, it was as if I heard it for the first time, even though I'd been chewing on it for about 24 hours. I needed Him to whisper that to me. He actually had, via my sweet husband. But at the time, I wasn't willing to listen or accept it. But today I heard it loud and clear as we sang the Hillsong song "Still." The chorus is so powerful:

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God.

I don't know about you, but I just can't sing a song without thinking through every word. I was holding it together until I got to the "I will be still and know You are God" part; then I lost it. How can I sing that if I don't believe it? Can I actually drop the anger and frustration welling within me and "be still?"

With the events of the weekend, was God in control? Sure, my rational mind tells me yes, of course. But the emotional momma in me was outraged, hurt, angered, and just questioned how God could let this happen. I mean, Amber took two second places in OO this year, and first in all the other tournaments where she competed in OO. How could she be eliminated when two of the ones who ended up advancing to nationals had never even taken second to her all year? Why? How? These are questions I'll probably never have concrete black and white answers for. However, God gave me an answer this morning. Simply put, "my ways aren't His ways."

I must say, that Amber is an example to me. She was of course shocked and very upset at first, but she's made a choice to not dwell on it. She's moved on. She knows she did her best, and nothing can take away the pride she feels in doing so.

I sure wish things turned out differently this last weekend, not just for Amber. She's only a sophomore this year, but some of her teammates were seniors, and this was their last chance to go to Nationals. Seniors who like Amber, repeatedly beat out the ones who did end up advancing. But when I am tempted to pick up the anger and emotions again, I must remember these verses in Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

May I reach for higher thoughts and take the higher road. May I learn, and may I grow. And May I fall more in love with Jesus every day as He teaches to trust His ways are best.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Silence is golden...

I can't believe it.  It's been nearly six weeks since I've blogged.  I used to be so faithful...at least once, if not twice a week!  What happened?  I'll tell you what happened.  I quit my job, thinking I'd have all the time in the world to write and deepen my passion for writing, then I found out I needed shoulder surgery.  Then all my plans puffed up in smoke.

Earlier this week, five and a half weeks after surgery, my doctor released me from this massive heat-retaining immobilizing brace I've been confined to wear.  It was now time to start "intense physical therapy", and summer is officially over.  Summer.  Just a fleeting thought in the whirlwind that has been my existence the last several weeks.  It's over, and what did I accomplish?  Not anywhere near what I wanted to, that's for sure.  OK, ok, I'll try not to be too hard on myself, since much of it was because of the surgery, but as I sit at my computer and try to get back in the groove, I ask myself why my plans didn't work out.

One thing for sure is that I was uninspired.  Yeah, I don't get it either.  All the time in the world on my hands, no commitments to bog me down, yet I experienced a time of draught spiritually.  Now, don't misunderstand me.  I don't spend time with God so I can write.  But what usually happens is that God inspires me while I'm spending time with Him, and my writing is just an expression of what He's teaching me.  But that just didn't happen.  I would have my quiet time, but I felt like God wasn't speaking to me, let alone inspiring me.  What did I get instead?  a big goose-egg.  Nothing. 

But what I've learned is that times of silence are not a bad thing.  Psalm 62:1-2 says "For God alone my soul waits in silence, from Him alone comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I will never be shaken." 

Do you see a little theme there?  ALONE.  David's soul was in silence, maybe in the desert spiritually, feeling alone, but the one constant was that He was not alone.  He was waiting only on God, who ALONE provides salvation.  In God ALONE is the rock and fortress that allowed him to not be shaken.   

I was chatting with a very wise young friend from Colombia about my little spiritual drought.  OK, to be honest, maybe I was having a pity party for myself.  I hate having plans and letting them fall by the wayside, and I was in a bit of a depressed state over my situation.  Anyway, he gave me some wise advise that went something like this:  "Beth, be faithful.  This is God's plan.  Grow in Him, and when You get to the other side, His words are going to be just pouring out of you after being replenished."  I can't remember his exact words, but they went something like that, and they were really just what I needed to hear at that time.

So, I'm not really out of the desert yet, but I feel like I'm finally crossing over to the other side, six weeks to the day after my surgery.  And spiritually, I know God is growing me, even though I don't necessarily feel the growth on a daily basis.  Just like a child grows each day, sometimes you don't recognize it right away.  God uses times of silence to grow us, too.  Silence to remind us to rely on Him fully.  Silence to make me shut up and contemplate His will.  Silence to obey.  Coming from a jabber-jaw, silence isn't always easy, but in the end, it's golden.

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Looking for the Light...

Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

Have you ever had a time in your life when things just looked dark?  I'm not talking about being depressed, necessarily, but just where there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel?  Life just seems to control you to the point that you aren't enjoying life?  Been there...and very recently, I might add.

As I've been searching for the light at the end of the tunnel, praying, and begging God for answers, He began to reveal some things to me.  Basically, I've been holding on to some things in my life that were keeping me from seeing that light.  I had my little security blanket, preventing me from expanding my faith.  Do you have any security blankets?  Mine wasn't just a little blankie, it was a big, thick one.  One I thought I would never let go of.  One that I thought I couldn't let go of.  I realized I had allowed that blanket to become my identity, essentially replacing Who should be my identity - my God.

If I am to grow spiritually, the decision was inevitable.  I had to drop my security blanket and run into God's blanket of security.  I was scared.  I didn't know if I could do what I need to do, but I knew what God was telling me, so I obeyed.  And you know what, after I obeyed, I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. 

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Psalm 18:28  "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."  When we just turn to the Lord, He sustains us.  He keeps our lamp burning.  Not only does He sustain us, but He turns what looks so dark and bleak into a wonderful ray of light!  God has challenged me this last week to look for the light, drop my security blanket, and expand my faith.  What's He teaching you?

Security
© Beth Banfill

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

We all have things we hold so dear
We think they make us who we are.
But God's telling me to have no fear
To let go.  And let God take me far.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

No regrets.  Pure Peace.  His still small voice
Says, "Trust Me.  I've got a plan."
So I resign my will, and I'll trust You still.
My life is secure in Your hands.

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

My identity is not in my job or my things
It's not in all the things that I know
My identity lies only in Christ my King
The end of the tunnel is all aglow!

I'm dropping my security blanket
I'm following the light at the door
I'm putting all my trust in Your leading
With each step my faith is built even more.
Yes, I'm dropping my security blanket,
And I'm running into Your blanket of security.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Look for the Cracked Door...

Proverbs 4:18  "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day."

Have you ever gotten up early to watch a sunrise?  It's something everyone should do at least once in their life, for sure.  One ray of sunshine pokes over the dark horizon.  Just one ray for starters.  Then right in front of your eyes, the sun begins to peak out of the sky.  With each passing second and minute, the sky becomes more bright and beautiful.  The darkness fades, and what was once completely black soon becomes clear and remarkable.

In recent months, my husband and I have earnestly been asking God to show us His plan in several areas of our life.  We've been cautious to not make a move without knowing fully that this was definitely God's plan.  However, this last week, a friend pointed out this verse, Proverbs 4:18, to my husband.  He noted that sometimes God doesn't give us a wide open door, revealing a crystal clear path.  He counseled my husband saying that sometimes God opens up a cracked door, a window of light, just a glimmer.  Sometimes He just expects us to look at the glimmer and move toward it in faith.  As we move toward the open door, the light behind it becomes brighter and our vision becomes more clear.

I wonder, how many times do I miss opportunities because I'm just praying about something instead of looking for ways God may be opening small doors to bring about exactly what I've been praying for?  How many times do I miss what God really wants me to do because I'm not looking for the cracked door? 

I want to walk down that path of the just, like the verse talks about.  As I seek God and His way, I want the light to shine brighter and brighter.  I don't know about you, but I think it's time to go watch a sunrise again.  It's time to look for that first ray of God's handiwork...  I see it.  I'm walking toward it.  Are you?

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Amino Acids at Work...

Hebrews 13:16  "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."

Amino Acids.  They are the building block of proteins.  Admittedly, I was not a disciplined student in school.  I don't remember much of what I was supposedly learned.  Thankfully, I did have some great English teachers, but when it came to science, it was pittsville for me.  But this one thing I do remember:  amino acids are the building block of proteins.

This last week, I witnessed first hand Christian "amino acids."  OK, don't check out on me just yet.  Our bodies need protein, right?  Protein is a fundamental component of all living cells.  It is necessary for an organism to function properly.  Do we all not need Christian protein in our life?  Even more, I'm talking about the amino acids, the building block of proteins -- the very basics. 

Let me explain more.  This summer, my daughter and I are going on a mission trip to Colombia.  This will be my ninth trip to Barranquilla, Colombia, and my 14 year old daughter's fifth trip.  I love Colombia, but the decision to go was not made lightly.  I prayed and prayed, asking God to clearly show me this was HIS will, not just mine.  One big factor in that decision was the fundraising required.  You see, after you go to the same place on a mission trip several times, it's really hard to keep raising money to go again, year after year.  I felt in my heart that God was opening the door for us to go again, but our family didn't even have the $200 per person to officially make the deposit for the trip.

But where God guides, God provides.

I received an email from our church several weeks ago, saying someone anonymously donated the $400 deposit for Amber and I to go.  Step one, whether or not to go, confirmed.  We then sent out our support letters to family and friends.  In years past, we've been able to financially supplement what we couldn't raise, but that isn't the case this year.  We were 100% reliant on God for this one, which is exactly what He wanted to so He could be glorified. 

Donations started coming in, and we were zeroing in on what we needed.  But also zeroing in was the deadline.  Half of our money is due in a few days, and we still needed almost $700.  Like I said, everyone needs protein to survive.  And if I was going to survive in this fundraising quest, I needed some amino acids.  The thing is, God knew that.  He surrounded me with living, breathing "amino acids" found in my life group and friend circle.  One friend outright told me, "You're having a garage sale.  I'll help you get it organized and work it for you."  Did you catch that?  She planned my fundraising garage sale for me!  Building block one.  People started donating items for the sale.  Building block two, three, four, five.  Thursday night came, time to set up for the sale.  Our garage was literally half full of items.  Building block six, seven, eight, nine, ten, and eleven showed up to help me get it organized.  They stayed late in the evening.  Emails and texts came in from more building blocks.  "I can't help, but I'm praying."  By twelve noon on the first day of the sale, God had provided all the remaining funds that Amber and I needed for our mission trip. 

What I witnessed this weekend was truly a miracle, unfolding before my eyes.  You see, I couldn't even work the garage sale on Friday, since I had to work my real job.  Of course, God can accomplish His will any way He wants, but it's especially rewarding when it unfolds using willing, selfless, amino acids.  Yes, amino acids, the building blocks of protein.  Protein that we cannot survive without.

As you can imagine, I've been on a God-high the last few days.  I'm humbled by being the recipient of such massive blessings from others.  I've also been asking God how I can be a blessing to others, in the same way these amino acids in my life have been to me.  One way He showed me is by helping others in their fundraising efforts with the extra money from my sale.  If you asked me even a week ago if I would financially be able to do that, the answer would have been a firm "no."  But that's the cool thing about amino acids.  They build on each other to make protein - necessary for life.

Perhaps it's an odd comparison, this concept of a Christian amino acid, but what happened this weekend couldn't have happened without each one of those people working together to get the job done.  One block at a time.  And I couldn't have been used to bless someone else without those initial building blocks of protein helping me.

Take a look at the verse to memorize for this week.  Hebrews 13:16  "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased."  The author uses a direct address here.  It's an order.  In a Beth's blog paraphrase, he says "Be a selfless amino acid.  That's an order, and don't forget it.  God will be happy with you for being obedient."

How about you?  Are you being an amino acid, building protein into the lives of those around you?  Are you making a conscious choice to build life into someone, block by block?  You don't have to have money to be an amino acid.  No, in fact, all you have to do is be obedient, just like the verse says.  So this week, don't forget to sacrificially do good and share with others.  God will be pleased.  Be a building block in someone's life.  Be an amino acid.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

 

Steps in the Airport...

Proverbs 20:24  "A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"

This last week I took a quick trip to Baltimore.  When I say quick, I mean quick.  It was a back and forth in the same day trip, with connecting flights on Delta in each direction.  I was going on business, but there was no way I was wearing dress clothes...nope, it was jeans for me, for sure.  (What can I say, I am a jeans kind of girl!)  I packed my dress clothes in a little duffle bag for when I arrived in Baltimore.

Once we arrived, I had a text from my colleague, saying she was outside and ready to pick me up.  I ran to the bathroom, pulled my computer out of the bag, changed my clothes, put on my heels, washed my hands, and ran out to catch my ride.  I had an afternoon of meetings, and once I arrived, I went to drop off my things on a chair and fire up my computer.  Rewind.  I ran to the bathroom...pulled my computer out of the bag...and that's where my mind stopped.  With my computer sitting on the toilet paper rack in the bathroom.  Yes, I had left my computer in an airport bathroom in Baltimore.

My meeting was about to start, so I quickly retrieved the TSA Lost and Found telephone number.  I called and left a message.  My colleague sent an email for me.  She left a message as well.  I called again.  My heart sunk deeper into my chest.  I couldn't focus.  This was not my work computer that I lost.  (Not that that would be any easier to swallow.)  This was my personal netbook.  It's a smaller, lighter laptop with a wireless card for internet.  It's also the computer in our house that keeps all our personal financial records. 

My meeting started.  I did my best to focus, but my thoughts wandered.  With each thought, my eyes swelled with tears.  Our bank account information.  Pictures of my kids....  I did my best to hold it together and be a productive member of the meeting, all while carrying on a long conversation with the Lord in my head.  "God, I know I was careless, but only You can do a miracle and help me get that computer back."  I knew my chances were slim, but I also knew my God could do anything.  My phone rang, and I could see that it was the TSA.  I excused myself from the meeting, with hope in my heart.  "We're returning your call, but we wanted to let you know we've not had any laptops turned in."

I went back to my meeting.  The next call from the TSA had to go to voicemail.  I kept praying.  I kept focusing.  I checked my voicemail at the next break.  Still nothing.  It was time to get back to the airport, so I decided I would just go find the TSA Lost and Found before I boarded my trip home.  My last ditch effort, I thought.  I got to the airport and found the TSA office.  Still no laptop.  "Oh, you need to go to the airport lost and found, not the TSA lost and found."  OK, great!  "Thank you, God!"  I started to praise Him before I even got to that office.  My heart was beating faster, but only for a moment.  "No, no laptops have been turned in."

"God, I'm trusting You.  Please let that laptop be in the bathroom right where I left it."  I made my way through security and made a bee-line for the bathroom.  In.  Out.  Nothing.  I went directly across the hall to the bar.  Maybe someone had turned it in there.  I waited until the bartender noticed me, eyes filling up with tears.  "Nope.  No one turned in anything.  Check with airport Lost and Found."  I walked away to the corner and called my husband.  I couldn't hold the tears back anymore.  "I'm so sorry, honey.  I tried everything I could think of.  I just can't find it.  Please forgive me..." 

I'm so thankful for my husband.  When we have any kind of crisis, he remains calm and sane.  He doesn't yell; he just thinks in a reasonable way.  "It's ok.  It's just property.  I'll call and suspend our wireless service.  Then I'll start to change all our passwords."

We hung up the phone, and I looked up.  There was an American Airlines counter in front of me.  It seemed impossible, especially since I arrived on a Delta flight, but I just felt like God was saying to go ask.  I walked up to the gate agent.  "I know this is a crazy request, but is there any chance someone turned in a small laptop?  I left it at 11:40 this morning in that bathroom right there."  The man looked at me like I was crazy, but maybe the hope and desperation in my eyes could be seen.  Just then, a man walked up behind him.  "A laptop?  In a black sleeve?  Oh, I know right where it is."

The man exited the area, and within moments, handed my beloved laptop to me.  Why American Airlines never turned in my computer to lost and found, I will not know, but it doesn't matter.  I called my husband immediately to let him know of the answered prayer.  As I talked to him on the phone, not more than two or three minutes after getting my computer back, I looked up.  The American Airlines gate area was now completely empty.  I hung up the phone and sat there, dumbfounded at God's timing.  If I had cried and carried on even a few minutes longer, I perhaps would still not have my computer in my possession.  If I had waited to ask the gate agent, even one moment, that person walking behind him may not have even been in the area.

OK, I know that was a long story to illustrate this short little verse.  But seriously, I have to give props to my God in great detail.  I mean, only God can come through like that, right?  I had someone tell me, "Well, Beth, you were pretty persistent."  Yes, that's true.  God expects us to do our part.  If I had sat around and prayed without taking personal action, how would the story have ended?  I dare say with a different ending.

Proverbs 20:24  "A man's steps are directed by the Lord.  How then can anyone understand his own way?"

Yes, a man's steps, my steps, were directed by the Lord.  The rest of the verse goes on to say that a man can't understand his own steps.  (From the research I've done, the "his" refers to man, not to God.)  Why was I so careless to leave my computer in the bathroom?  I'll never know.  What I do know is that my steps in recovery were 100% ordained by God.

Over and over in my life, I can look back and see how God repeatedly is at work.  Sometimes I can't see it until years after He's been at work, but He's always there, guiding and directing each step.  I just have to let Him lead.  I have to do my part and obey. 

Trust me, next time I travel, I'll be taking some different steps through the airport, but I'm not making changes on who is leading.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

Be Still and Know I am God...

Psalm 46:10  "Be still and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the heathen; I will be exalted in the earth."

Last week was one of the roughest ones I've had in a while.  My husband has been in Africa for nearly two weeks, and on Thursday, we found out that God had closed a door that until that point seemed wide open.  God didn't just close it, He locked it and seemingly threw away the key.  Honestly, I was pretty devastated.  I found myself desperately crying, even arguing with God.  By the time my tears had run dry, I found myself re-reading my own blog from last week.  I told God He had a real sense of humor, because the sample prayer I wrote needed to be re-iterated in real time as I poured out my heart to my Father.  Emotionally, I was spent before the day began on Thursday.  I had a lot of questions for God, none of which He answered directly, except to say to me, "Be still, and know that I am God.  I have a plan.  Just have faith."

As I have prayed about what verse to memorize this week, Psalm 46:10 is the only verse God has given me peace about.  If you're like me, you may  already have the first part of the verse memorized, but you likely have not memorized the entire verse. 

Let's take a look at it a little more deeply. 

"Be still."  This is a command, and it comes from a root word rapha, which means to be weak, to let go, or to release.  Maybe a better translation might be "cause yourself to let go" or "let yourself become weak."  Ok, God, I get it.  Let go.  Let go of my wishes and desires.  Quit trying to be strong and handle things on your own.  I release it to You.

Notice the second directive in the verse - know.  How still should we be?  We should be so still that we should surrender to the point that we know God is in control.  God is God.  God is God in the good times, and He is God in the rough times.  We need to "give up, become weak, let go, and release" so that we can fully rely on God's strength and power. 

The next two parts of the verse are a promise.  You know we can rest fully in God that He is in control, but the end result is the topping on the cake.  He will be the victor of the things of this world.  His Kingdom will be established on the earth, and He will be exalted.  Did you get that?  HE WILL BE EXALTED!!!  It doesn't matter what things don't go the way we want them to here on earth.  My God is the King Supreme!  In this battle of sin here on earth, He has already won the battle, and He is coming back to reign here on earth.

You know, when you put it in perspective, my "BIG PROBLEMS" are not problems at all to God.  He clearly knows the outcome of every situation.  He has a plan, and although I can't always see it in "real time" it doesn't matter.  My job right now is just to be still, and know that He is God. 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Come and Listen... Psalm 66:16

Psalm 66:16  "Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me."

Do you ever feel like the weight of the world is more than you can bear?  How will I ever make it through?  Why aren't my prayers being answered?  Why am I going through this?  When is this trial going to be over?  If you're honest, you've probably been there.  Maybe you're there now.

But sometimes we need the reminder to look back.  Look back at what God has done in our lives.  Look back at how He's proved Himself faithful over and over again.  Then we need to tell others about His faithfulness, even in spite of what we're going through now. 

Read Psalm 66.  David makes a plea.  "Come and listen, all you who fear God let me tell you what He has done for me."  Then David talks about going through trials, being refined with fire and water.  He likens it to God sending him to prison with burdens on his back.  But in the end, David praises God.  He knows God is in control and has his best interests at heart. 

Yes, as Christians, our mind knows these spiritual facts that David knew, too.  No brainer, right?  God is in control.  He'll carry us through.  Yet, sometimes our emotions and heart hurt and overtake that reasoning side of our brain.  Let's take a lesson from David this week.  Let's follow his example to tell others about God's faithfulness, in spite of rough times in a current situation.  Thank God today for His refining fire!

Psalm 66

Come and listen, everyone
Come and hear all that God has done.
The trials He’s brought, they’ve not been fun.
The process is long.  His job’s never done.

But He’s teaching me that through the fire
Is exactly how to increase my desire
To know Him more. Now that’s my goal.
Refine me Lord, make me whole.

You’re testing me.  Like silver and gold.
Through pressure, the way diamonds are formed.
These burdens - they bring me to my knees
I’m trusting You, God, help me, please.

You let me go through water and fire.
My will to You, Lord, I will retire
You keep me in life, Each day you give
Abundant life.  For you I’ll live.

Abundant peace.  Abundant love. 
Abundant contentment from God above.
Abundant joy.  Your hand I see.
You’ve not withheld Your love from me.

Heart ablaze, burning for You
Water and fire, You carry me through
Come and listen, everyone.
Come and hear all that God has done.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

I've got this...

Psalm 42:8  "By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me -- a prayer to the God of my life."

OK, I don't know about you, but I've had a really rough and emotional week.  I'm not going to lie.  When you have a sick child with a yet undiagnosed illness, choosing joy in the rough times is easier said than done.  I've tried my best to be consistent in my quiet time, and let me tell you, I love how God works.  He always seems to direct my eyes to just what I need to see in His Word. 

The verse I chose to memorize for this week is one that was especially meaningful to me the last few days.  I've been reading through Psalms and Proverbs this month, and I actually read it a few weeks ago.  When I did, I highlighted it in my Bible, and kept on reading.  You see, that's the cool thing about God.  He reveals Himself to us through His written word, and God has a way of directing us to just what we need to read to hear His voice on just the day we need to hear it.  For some reason last week when I sat down to read, I felt God was directing me to go back and review some of the things I had highlighted in earlier days in the month.

Read Psalm 42.  In it, the psalmist talks about thirsting for God, being down in the dumps, choosing joy and trusting God.  It's the famous passage where the author says, "Why are you so sad?  Put your trust in God!"  But I love how God works.  This time, it wasn't that well known verse that stuck out to me; however, He did use another verse in this chapter to really encourage me. 

Take a look at verse eight.  "By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me -- a prayer to the God of my life."  During the day time, when I'm awake, God tells me, "I love you.  Don't worry, I've got this."  And at night, He holds me tightly, sings me a lullaby and rocks me to sleep.  That's the visual image I have with the second part of this verse.  At night, when all is quiet and my mind easily wanders into the different scenarios and plays the "what if" game, God my Father, my daddy, holds me so tightly that His love erases all other emotions.  His love is with me during the day, and His song is with me at night.  He's got this.  When I'm awake.  When I'm asleep.  My God who never slumbers has this under control, and even though I feel so helpless, it doesn't matter.  All I need to do is trust Him.  This verse gives me such peace!

Then I love the end of the verse.  "A prayer to the God of my life."  I've sat here and tried to find words to express how I feel when I read that phrase.  I usually don't have trouble expressing myself (as you well know) but the only thing I can think of is that I feel comforted - the kind of comfort that comes when a needed hug is received.  No, not a little hug, I'm talking about a big bear hug that squeezes away all fear and pain, leaving only tears of joy.  If I can say those words with honesty, that God is the God of my entire life, then I have to believe when He says, "I've got this" that He does.  For me, that's the kind of hug that I needed this week. 

 

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com

 

Make up your mind ahead of time...

Psalm 59: 16  "But I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love, for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble."

Have you ever planned out what you will do in any given situation?  Maybe it's what you'll tell the officer when you get pulled over for speeding.  Maybe it's what you'll do if you get called on for your opinion in a meeting.  Maybe it's how you will react to that annoying person who drives you crazy the next time you come in contact with them.  But have you ever decided ahead of time how you will react to trials in your life?

I love the story of Daniel.  One of my favorite lines from that book is "Daniel purposed in his heart..."  You see, Daniel had morals.  He knew ahead of time what he would do in any given situation.  He committed ahead of time to do the right thing and have the right heart attitude.  In the verse for this week, David said the same thing.  He didn't have to think about it.  He says that no matter what, He will sing of God's strength and love.  He knew God was the only strong tower to help him during times of trouble, and he purposed in his heart that he would praise God.

Think about the imagery of a fortress.  In olden times, when the enemy was attacking, where did people run?  To the fortress.  They ran for safety and shelter; they closed the gates to guard against harm.  David knew God was the fortress to turn to...not his money, not his riches, not his friends.  God, and God alone.  He hides us in the shadow of His wings.  He comforts us with His love.  He is our shelter in the time of storm. 

About two weeks ago, I was writing a poem for a dear friend who has been going through a terrible fight with cancer.  The poem talks about why God allows us to go through the hard times.  The wounds and scars we develop here on earth are nothing compared to the wounds and scars Jesus has from enduring the cross for our sins, and when we go through those hard times, it increases our faith.  My friend has been a hero of faith through this ordeal, and as I prayed for her while I was writing, I asked the Lord to allow me to have that same faith when going through difficult times.  What would I do, and would my faith actually be as strong in hard times as it is when things are going well? 

So what about you?  Have you purposed in your heart how you will react when tough times come?  Have you decided ahead of time that you will praise God in the morning?  Are you going to be like David and run to the fortress?  Are you going to be like Daniel and purpose in your heart ahead of time to honor God, no matter what?  Are you going to wake up praising God in the morning, like David?  Can these words be yours?

So I will praise You God for any pain I endure. 
I will praise You, Lord, for it's my faith You spur. 
I will praise You God, for the strength that You give.
No matter the scar, Lord, for You I'll live.

As you memorize Psalm 59:16 this week, please join me in trying to internalize it.  Make up your mind ahead of time.

---Beth Banfill
www.GodandMe2theMax.com