Can the Ravens find you?

In I Kings 17 we find a very fascinating story about Elijah, King Ahab, a drought, a brook and some ravens. This seems a very unusual combination, but then again this is perhaps why I find it so fascinating.  King Ahab as did many of the previous Kings of Israel, continued to worship idols instead of God.

 Elijah, God’s prophet was not pleased with Ahab’s blatant disregard of God and made a declaration that there would be no rain in Israel for years.  Elijah was not concerned about the drought affecting him; he knew that God would somehow take care of him as He always did.

 The first thing we see God doing was instructing him to change direction and go towards the brook “Cherith” God had a plan for Elijah. He would be able to drink as much water as he wanted from the brook and be fed by the ravens at God’s command (v3-4)

 One of the fascinating parts of the story is how obedient Elijah was to what God told him to do.  God could have provided food to Elijah where he was, because He is God.  Elijah could have refused to move because Ahab was looking for him.  He could have said I am afraid that Ahab may kill me if I venture to take this journey to this brook you are asking me to go to.  Elijah could also have said God, I am hungry and tired, I do not have the strength to travel that far. 

What do you think would have happened if Elijah came up with all those excuses?  I do believe that Elijah would have starved and the raven would still have his mouth full of food waiting. They would have missed each other.

As you see God made sure that all that Elijah would need was already at the place where He was asking him to go. The great news is that God is still doing so today.  God has already made provision for you and it is waiting right at the place where He has sent you. Do not miss your resources because you fail to show up “there” Do not have the ravens waiting for you while you are starving somewhere else.

  It is not about where you are comfortable, or about where someone else is, rather it’s about where God has sent you, it's about where your ravens are waiting.

In His Service,

Vilma

He is Risen!!!

Do you understand- the grave could not hold Him. That very big stone in front of Christ’s tomb simply just rolled away. The Roman soldiers with their staves and clubs and spears were paralyzed, not only was the stone rolled away but their prized possession that Satan was rejoicing about is gone. All that was left behind was the linen clothes He wore and the cloth covering his face which was neatly folded.

Can you hear Satan summoning his angels to an emergency meeting? As a matter a fact, he has fired a bunch of them, reassigned some and sentenced some to hard times. How could they allow this to happen? As Hell’s rejoicing came to a sudden halt, Heaven stood at attention two Angels were standing at their posts in the empty tomb waiting to redirect all those who would be coming to the tomb.

Mary Magdalene and two other women were the first to arrive at the tomb, preparing to properly anoint Christ’s body as they were not able to do so on Friday. Can you imagine there surprise when they arrived and saw that the stone was rolled away? At first they thought that His enemies had stolen the body to further humiliate Him and His followers.
As they entered the tomb the two angels greeted them. The women were frightened but they were assured:
Do not be afraid. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he laid. Then go quickly and tell his disciple that Jesus has risen from the dead. Matthew 28:5-7.

These three women were the first to give the good news to everyone they met including the disciples – “He is Risen- Jesus was alive. These women did not question the fact although they did not see Jesus, they believed. Later and throughout the day Jesus appeared again and again, first to Mary Magdalene, then to Joanna and Mary the mother of James. That evening he appeared to two men walking to Emmaus and showed up unexpectedly in the room where ten of the disciples were hiding. It took about 1400 years to complete this work that God started to redeem mankind, but it was finally accomplished. Death’s icy hand was pried open, and Jesus conquered death, not just for himself, but for anyone that would bet their soul on God’s Passover Lamb.

Reflection: Just as He rose from the dead, so will you and your situations that seem dead and buried come back to life. Have Faith that He who has started a good thing in you will see it to completion. He is Faithful- Walk in His resurrection power. It’s not over-till God says it’s over.

In His Service,

Vilma

Not just mere words

One of the first prayers that most of us learned growing up in a Christian home was what we called the Lord’s Prayer. This prayer we later learned was actually the model prayer which was taught by Jesus to His disciples. This prayer is still very relevant today and one that we should use to pattern the way in which we approach prayer. Most of us have become so familiar with the words of this prayer that we simple race through it without thinking about th...e words we are saying.

This prayer in case you forget is found in Mathew 6: 9-15 and begins with the words “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name”. Yes that’s the one I’m talking about. This entire prayer is profound, but I would like to focus our attention on verse 12. Here is what this verse says-“And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"

What does this verse means? Here are a couple interpretations. Father forgive me of all of my debts/trespasses/transgressions as I forgive the people who have transgressed or wronged me here is another way in which I interpret it. Lord the same way in which I refuse to forgive my children when they are disobedient and take me for granted, I want you to do the same with me when I do not do the things you ask and when I take you for granted. Father the same way in which I hold on to the grudge I have for my ex-husband for leaving me for another woman, is the same way in which I want you to remember the many times I left you to worship and admire other things and people instead of you.

Another interpretation that I have of this verse is this- Lord it is so hard to forgive and forget the many people who have wronged me over the years, but it is not worth holding on to un-forgiveness so with your help I choose to forgive them all, knowing that you will do the same for me as well.
Verse 14 explains very well, why we need to do this: “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”. I think this makes so much sense.

I realize that left to me I would choose who and what to forgive instead of extending forgiveness to everyone. So the next time you say the model – prayer remember to pay attention to the details, it will make a difference.

In His Service,

Vilma

Narcissism or confirmation of the word of God?

 As I was getting ready for work a couple of days ago I overheard a portion of the news, where the question was being asked if parents are creating narcissists by praising their children for everything and telling them that they are deserving of certain things. The report continued to say that parents who do so are creating children who will not accept "no" for an answer and will not be able to manage well in the real world.

  I do hear what they are saying, but I also think about those children who can never do anything good enough in the eyes of their parents, those who are told that they do not deserve a better life and that they are inferior to another sibling. What or who are we creating?  Are we creating children who have low self-esteem, not willing to try at anything because they already feel that they will fail?

 Unfortunately I tend to see things according to the word of God. I believe that we should encourage and commend our children whenever they make an effort at doing something. I do believe that they should know that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made”.  I do believe that I should let them know that they are “above” and not “beneath”, that they are the “head” and not the tail”. I do want them to understand that what is within them is greater than what is in the world. I want them to know that it is not by might or by power that they do these things, but by the Spirit of the Lord. I do believe that God’s children are already victorious because Jesus Christ has already overcome the world. 

 Who or what are we developing when we do this? I believe we are developing men and women who know exactly who they are in Christ Jesus and who will conduct themselves in a way pleasing to God. I believe we are developing children who will make a positive difference in the world, Children who will not be followers, but instead leaders. Children who will not be looking for love in the wrong places; children who will not need a gun to make them strong or important, but will use the word of God as their sword.

In His Service,

Vilma

You are an Overcomer

 

 

I trust that all is well with you and your family.  

For some of you I am aware of the difficult time that you are facing at the moment but from personal experience you are not alone and will make it even if you don't feel like that is possible. Let me take this opportunity to invite all of you that as you pray for your children that you also pray for each other for guidance, strength and determination to keep pressing forward.

 

 For this month let me share this scripture with you from 1John 4:4

 

 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world".

   This scripture is not just for your children, but is also applicable for you as well if you are a Christian. Greater is He that is in you and in your children than he that is in the world. So many times we just look at our situation and accept defeat. We see our problems as so much bigger than the divine presence of the Holy Spirit that we have abiding within us. I once heard someone say- "don't tell God how big your problem is, instead tell your problem how big your God is" Such a true statement.

 

 Remind yourself and your children that victory belongs to you. God has already overcome- so will you. Neither you nor your children will get burn when thrown in the fire. Neither you nor your children will be drowned when tossed in the river. The key is not to be self-reliant. It is not by your strength or your might instead it is by His Spirit- tap into it

 

 In His Service,

 

Vilma

 

T.G.I.F (Trusting God in Full)

I have a job, my marriage is great, I am in good health, my children are doing well, life is good and I feel on top of the world. God you are amazing and this is why I love and trust you. That's a good thing, however here is something that I have learned over the years.
When we find ourselves in the scenario mentioned above, it takes very little effort and faith to brag on God and to put our trust in Him.

The challenge comes when the job is uncertain, the spouse is acting somewhat off balance, there are health challenges, and the children are acting up and life seems overwhelming. It's no longer God I trust you, but God let me do this my way because I would do a better job. Sometimes we will allow God to handle a few things while we control the more important ones. God I will let you deal with the health and the children, I will control the marriage and the job.

Unfortunately with God it is all or nothing. We must completely trust His judgment in every aspect of our life. We must trust His judgment when things are going well and also when things are not going well. Learn not to jus thank Him because it is Friday, but learn to trust God in Full!

In His Service,

Vilma

Keeping in touch

 

How has your year been going so far? Considering it is only 5 weeks old, you are probably saying not too much has happened yet. Or maybe you have started to reap your harvest. 

 

I have learned that we can see our situation through the eyes of the pessimist who sees the glass as half empty or we can see it through the eyes of the optimist who sees the glass as being half-full. The situation is the same for both but each choose to see their situation from two completely different angles.

 

Regardless of what may be happening around me I choose for 2015 to speak things that are encouraging and uplifting. I choose to speak life to every dying or dead situation. I choose to see obstacles that may come up along my journey as simply stepping stones to my destiny.

 

For 2015 I will not dwell on my past wilderness experiences, but will remember the many oases that I found during my wilderness experiences. My harvest is ready and I will not allow my crop to go to waste, I will reap it all. How about you?

 

 In His Service,

 

Vilma