The Battle Does Not Belong to You | Thankful Thursday

I really enjoy counting my blessings with you here on my blog. I am so grateful that God nudged me to start this blog January 25, 2012. I have not been consistent with posting at times, but I am thankful that this blog has served a need for others through the years. Often those struggling through a tough season found comfort and encouragement in something I have shared on this blog. It is my desire to be a source of encouragement to keep us all fighting the good fight of faith. After all, we are all just trying to make it home and if I can help anyone on their journey, I am happy to do so.

If you are having a tough time this year, facing difficult circumstances, finances unbalanced, loved ones who are not in your life or have passed on, it may feel like a real battle out in front of you. Friend, do not be discouraged! Take heart in knowing God is still God. He never changes and if He helped His people before He will do it again. All Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, their wives, and their children. The Spirit of God came upon Jahaziel and this is two things he told the tribe of Judah and it is the same two things for us today as well.

2 Chronicles 20:15, 17

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

What does it look like to be dismayed? It is consternation, distress, alarm, shock, or horror. We may be facing some scary things in the natural, but our God goes before us and fights for us. We only have to be still. We must position ourselves and stand still on the promises of God and watch Him win every battle for us. He has never lost a battle and He never, ever will! You can trust Him when you cannot trust anything or anyone else. You do not have to be afraid or in distress. God has seen you through every trial in your life and He has brought you through them all! His Word tells us He will and our lives show the track record that yes He has done that!

Psalm 34:15, 19

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

Thank God for hearing our cries. Thank Him for blessing us with His peace and His presence. Stay in His Word and in fellowship with Him.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me in the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

I am so thankful my hand is in Jesus' nail scarred hand. He will never let me go. He will never leave me lonely or forsaken. He will never put me in the battle to fight unprotected, uncovered, but will be with me and will fight for me and protect me and cover me under His wings. He will shelter me and I will be safe!

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! God bless you!!

~Bridgett Owens

National Day of Prayer | Thankful Thursday

Hello friends. Today is National Day of Prayer. It is a time of fasting and prayer for many of us. Some may have prayed in a group before work or school; others may have a special ceremony at church or elsewhere. We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. That is very possible to do. It is to have a direct line of communication with our Heavenly Father who will meet our every need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus according to Philippians 4:19.

In our world today, we have so much to pray about. There are issues in our cities, states, our country, our government leaders, and in our world. We have personal issues we are dealing with as well. There is no shortage of things to pray about.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus. Whatever we are facing, we can, and should, take it to God in prayer, asking our Heavenly Father, with gratitude. We are promised that when we take our problems to God and spend time with Him in prayer, we will receive the peace of God to keep our hearts and minds through Jesus. What kind of peace is it? It is the peace that does not make sense. It is peace that will cause others to look at you and wonder, "How can you go through all that and still have peace?" It is only peace that comes from God. Jesus said in John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. We may be facing some scary situations and we begin to allow fear to take up residence in our hearts, but Jesus is telling us not be worried or afraid because He gives us His peace.

We can confidently go to our Lord Jesus and ask anything we need and we know that He is listening to us and will help us in our time of need. 1 John 5:14-15 reads, And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us: And if we know that He hear us, we know that we have the petitions that we desired Him. The key to this verse is that we ask according to the will of God. We cannot ask for selfish requests so we can be popular, have more money to spend on vain things, or to promote ourselves. We are here to carry out God's plan for the world and if more money or material possessions will cause us to stray or glorify self then we already know we are not going to receive those things. We must be in line with God's will.

A very popular verse, one that many of us have heard and/or quoted many times is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. I feel that it is so important to include in today's blog post. It says, If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. It is no secret our land needs healed. If we take the confidence we just read about and humble ourselves, pray, seeking God's face and not His hands, and repent of the evil and wickedness then God in heaven will hear us and forgive us and heal our land. America is a very sin-sick nation. It is time we return to our Savior Jesus Christ and repent of the wicked ways we have done and allowed in this nation. It is time to honor and bless God as a country. We must become humble again. We need to seek the face of God, not to get more blessings and things from Him, but to spend time with Him and honor Him and love Him.

I am so thankful there is a day set aside to pray and fast, for those of us who will do that. I am going to spend time praying and seeking God about some big needs in my life and in this world. I know He will hear and answer me. I have confidence that He cares about us and the things we care about. I hope that you will be praying, too.

There is nothing like praying to God and Him answering prayers. I love to prayer journal because there are so many things that we can look back on and see God's fingerprints all over. We see how we struggled and how God answered and how we grew. Many of you know that we, at Blue's Blessings, have three prayer journals available on Amazon now. You can see the Men's Prayer Journals here. We have a Women's Prayer Journal here. And we have Youth Prayer Journals which is an interactive workbook with devotionals, prayer prompts, memory verses, SOAP Bible study pages and room for note taking, plus so much more. It is a wonderful gift for graduations, Mother's Day, Father's Day, birthdays, or anytime.

This Thankful Thursday I am thankful for the gift of prayer. I know God hears and answers the prayers of His children. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Time For Healing | Fuel For The Weekend

 

Time for healing?

It is no secret that our nation is suffering. The whole world is suffering. There is a major sickness traveling the globe and causing many to suffer and it is called sin. The one thing most people avoid talking about in our culture is holiness unto God. The Bible says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We are in a global pandemic and it started back in the Garden of Eden when Eve and Adam sinned first. Yes, we need a physical healing in this nation and internationally as well, but the need is so great for a spiritual healing, too.

3 JOHN 1:2 Beloved, I wish above all things (pray that in all things) that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

John said he was praying that in every area of our lives we would be successful, have all our needs met, and have health, in relation to our soul prospering. You see, there are many anorexic Christians. Many Christians are snacking on God's Word, breaking off a piece here and there as it suits them, but never getting satiated on the meat! Churches are full of members who have been faithful in giving of their time and money, but they are still on the milk. You would not give an infant a steak dinner because it would strangle on something it is not ready to consume. What do you do? You give the baby milk and you control how often you give them a bottle, or nurse them. As they grow stronger, they can try baby food which has a little more consistency than milk but it is still gentle enough the baby will not choke. As the fine motor skills develop, the child can pick up finger foods and often these are biscuits that turn to mush in the mouth. Again, it is taking one step closer to the meat and potatoes, but not forcing things too fast. One day you will look across the table at your child who may be taller than you, stronger than you, and they effortlessly chew up vegetables, fruits, and meats. We must continue to feed our inner man spiritual food. We must consume the Gospel and as we learn and grow, we can understand more and take in more and then we are sharing our "lunch" with others as we share the Good News.

John's prayer was not that all who follow Jesus would be wealthy, possess material goods, and be popular. John's prayer was that he wants all Christians to prosper and be healthy just like he wants the same thing for our souls.

PSALM 107:20 He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Do you remember what the Centurion told Jesus? He impressed Jesus with his great faith. He asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus said, "I will come and heal him." (Matthew8:7) The centurion said he was not worthy for Jesus to come to his house. He respected Jesus. He had been observing the things Jesus did and how he had power over sickness, mental illness, and physical infirmities. He tells Jesus in Matthew 8:8 & 9, "Lord I am not worthy that Thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it."

The centurion understood more than all the religious leaders of that time. He had great faith and he fully understood that Jesus's words were able to speak healing to his servant, though they were not in the same area together, and he would be made whole. It was exactly what Jesus did. He sent the word and the servant was healed. Do we fully understand that concept? We have been trained to believe that if we are good enough, or do enough good things, then God will be happy with us and give us what we want, but if we don't measure up then God is not going to bless us. That is a lie from the enemy. Our own righteousness is not in this equation. God is a healer and when we ask in the name of Jesus for it to be done, it will be done according to our faith. What happens is we often do not have faith. We have a wait and see kind of mindset and then wonder why God is not moving on our behalf. Where is our faith? Where is our confidence in what God can do?

2 CHRONICLES 7:14 If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

We have some things to do if we want God to forgive our sin and heal our land. What are we supposed to do? First of all we need to humble ourselves. James 4:10 says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." We must remember we are not the Creator, we are His creation. We need to step off the pedestal others may have placed us on, or the high places we have lifted ourselves to, and remember who we are. We are nothing without God. He gives us hope, joy, purpose, love, and peace. We have to become humble servants. We are not teachable if we think more of ourselves than we should. We are not able to be molded and shaped into the image of Christ if we think we are good enough on our own.

We have to pray. James 5:16 tells us the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. If we want to get things done, strongholds to break, unsaved loved ones to be converted, and healing our physical bodies and our nation from our sins, we have to pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) We must be in communication with God. He tells us to pray and ask Him for things and to have faith that He will do it. Do not think it could happen, or it might happen. Know that it will happen if you have the faith to believe it.

Finally, we are to seek His face. We often seek God's hands. We want Him to give us more money, give us a better job, give us a spouse, give, give, give... but that kind of relationship is one-sided and it is not fair to God who is our faithful partner. We are not faithful. We fail Him every single day. That may not be what you want to hear, and you may think you don't, but we do. We are flawed human beings and that is why in His great love and mercy, He extends grace to cover us. He wants us to desire His face. He wants us to seek His presence and to be with Him, near Him, intimately acquainted with Him. He wants us to look into His eyes and see the love and mercy of a wonderful Heavenly Father. He wants us to see His expression as He smiles at us. He loves us so much. He has accepted us as we are and then loves us way too much to leave us like He found us. Jeremiah 29:12 & 13 says, "Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart." Does He have your whole heart? He does not want parts and pieces; He wants the whole thing. 

God is so patient with us. He was patient with the children of Israel, even when they were disobedient and hard-headed. He still fed them, gave them a pillar of fire for protection, was in the cloud to lead them, and always watching over them. In Psalm 78:40 & 41 it says, "How oft did they provoke Him in the wilderness, and grieve Him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." When we follow our own path, and seek out our own desires for our future, and want to be adored by the masses, we are provoking Him and grieving Him. We are limiting God on what He can do for us. Let's take God out of the box we put Him in, and let Him be God like only He can do! He is a BIG God and He desires to give us good things, perfect gifts, and grace. We have to turn from evil thinking and idolatry. 

If we do these things, He promises to forgive our sins and heal our land. We need God now more than ever before. Things are getting worse in the world instead of better, but we knew that it would. These are just signs for the Christians. Jesus told us what to watch for. These are the days of healing and restoration if we will let Him. Are we standing in His way? Have we been treating God like a spiritual Santa Claus? We have our lists and we want Him to check all the boxes and then we run off to do whatever we want with little to no gratitude for the things we are blessed with. Our Heavenly Father wants regular visits with His children. He wants your time, your focus, your passion. He wants you to love Him and serve Him. He is a wonderful Father and He has promised us amazing things if we will follow Him and allow Him to lead us.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend. Some of you may be working, and others may be about to enjoy a three day weekend with Martin Luther King, Jr Day on Monday. Spend some time with God this weekend. Give Him the firstfruits of your day. Give Him your very best and watch what He will do. I hope that something I have shared today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

What Nation Are You In? | Wednesday Bible Study

God told me there are two nations: PROCRASTINATION and DETERMINATION. He asked me which nation I am in.

PSALMS 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.

Procrastination is delaying or putting off something that must be done. Sometimes God tells us to do something but we don't want to do it. Maybe it's hard, or we risk rejection, or we're concerned what others will say about us, or it could be time-consuming or unpleasant. God tells us to do things out of our comfort zone so we can stretch and grow our spiritual muscle of faith. When we put things off and delay our obedience it is the same as disobedience to God.

God told the prophet Samuel to tell king Saul to attack Amalek and completely destroy all they had. He further instructed him to kill men, women, infants, nursing babies, sheep, oxen, camels, and donkeys. Nothing was to survive because God remembered what Amalek did to Israel: the secret ambush of Israel as they came up out of Egypt. God said the task was total destruction!

Saul organized 210,000 troops to complete this mission. Ten thousand men were from Judah. They fought and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.... EXCEPT king Agag, the best of the sheep, the best oxen, the fattened calves and lambs, and all that appeared to be "good," but anything they decided was worthless they destroyed. He failed to follow the instructions of the LORD God. Yet Saul thinks he has done a great thing. Let's read:

1 SAMUEL 15:13-23 (13)And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. (14)And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? (15)And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. (16)Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. (17)And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? (18)And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. (19)Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? (20)And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. (21)But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. (22)And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (23)For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.

Samuel had the hard task of telling Saul God rejected him as king. Samuel wept all night for Saul. He cried out to God to change His mind but God was angry with Saul for his disobedience. Samuel told Saul where he messed up and he became like Aaron when Moses asked him why he made the people a golden calf. Remember that? Saul blamed the people. He said they took the best things but it was to sacrifice to God. Samuel asks the question that is more of a statement: God would rather have obedience than sacrifice!

What things has God specifically put on your heart to do? Write the book, start a podcast, host a Bible study, share your faith with a family member or friend? Maybe he is calling you into the ministry and you're afraid. Friends, do not be in disobedience. Remember the scripture that says "When I am afraid I will trust You?" (Psalms 56:3) Don't be a part of procrastiNATION! Do not delay to do the thing God is telling you to do. Saul said they were going to kill the oxen and things but not until later...for a sacrifice. God wanted the job taken care of that day! Do not put off what God is telling you to do. It is so important to obey quickly. I am searching my heart today for things I have delayed to do so I can do it now!

God wants us to inhabit determiNATION. Determination is using will power and resolve to get something done. God likes when we get the job done once He tells us to work. Jesus said in Luke 9:62, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

One who plows must have the discipline to look ahead. The rows need to be straight and that is not easy to create straight rows if we are always looking back. We cannot reminisce about how good it used to be. We have to focus on the straight and narrow in front of us. 

If we have the plow in front of us but we look back it affects the depth of the row. If the blade is not deep enough the rows are too shallow for the seed to take root. A heavy rain can wash it away. If we are not committed to what God is calling us to do, the enemy will come in like a flood and drown us. We have to hold on because God said when the enemy comes in like a flood He will raise up a standard. We don't have to be destroyed when the floods come.

Conversely if we are looking behind us we may have the plow too deep in the ground and it can damage or destroy the blade. If we break the tool in our hand then we have nothing to work with. We lose time and resources fixing something that should not have been mishandled in the first place. We must pay attention to what we are doing and focus our energy on the task at hand. We cannot afford to get sidetracked.

Lastly, if we look back it can hurt those who are trying to help us. A plow that is not in the ground properly could potentially damage the legs of the animals pulling the plow. If we are not centered where we need to be in God, and we keep looking to what others are doing, then when God sends provision and resources in the form of helpers we could potentially hurt them. We have to make sure we are lined up.

There is another king in the Old Testament that did the right thing in God's eyes. His name is Jotham and he patterned his behavior after his father Uzziah. 2 Chronicles chapter 27 tells us that Jotham was 25 years old when he took the throne and he reigned 16 years in Jerusalem. King Jotham did a lot of construction work in his reign. He rebuilt the upper gate of the temple of God, did extensive work on the wall at Ophel. He built towns in the hill country of Judah and forts and towers in the forests. He conquered the Ammonites and that year they paid him 7,500 pounds of silver, 60,000 bushels of wheat and 60,000 bushels of barley. Then they did the same thing two more years in a row.

2 CHRONICLES 27:6 Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.

You don't have to be a king to enjoy the benefits of serving God. Jotham grew mightily because He did things that pleased God. He made sure to do what needed to be done to further the Kingdom. Someone in great need is waiting right now on the other side of your obedience. Will you do the thing He has put in your heart? Will you sing the song, teach the class, invite the friend, speak to the neighbor, call that man or that woman? What has He been asking you to do? We all have something to do for the Kingdom.

God told me that if we move our tent out of the valley of procrastiNATION and choose to build upon the solid foundation of the Rock of Jesus in the high country of determiNATION that we will have an amazing destiNATION in heaven waiting on us: paradise like we have never seen! Do we trust Him? Are we willing to do the harder right than the easier wrong? Can we push our feelings and insecurities to the side and step out in faith? If we start moving He will help us. He will guide our feet along the paths of righteousness for His name's sake! He will lead and guide us into all truth. He will be the voice telling us, "This is the way, walk in it."

What nation are you in? I am doing some heart-searching too. If you don't like your address, the good news is that you can move! Get a new residence in a better neighborhood. God is calling you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Let's be children of the light.

I hope something has encouraged you, helped you, given you a sense of direction. My prayer is that something I shared today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Battles and Spoils | Thankful Thursday

The LORD impressed on my heart to carve out a section of my blog to share what I am thankful for. I started it on a Thursday and decided to call it "Thankful Thursday." Each week I share what I am thankful for. Come back each week so we can count our blessings together.

I am thankful that God is faithful. I am thankful that I serve a God is who is able to deliver. I am so glad that I can call upon the name of the LORD and be saved from all of my troubles and afflictions. The Bible clearly tells us we WILL have hard times in this life. (Psalms 34:19) We do not get a free pass because we are children of the Most High God. That would be nice, sometimes, wouldn't it? But God loves us too much to leave us in our pain and suffering. Jehoshaphat knew exactly what to do when He was outnumbered by the enemy.

In 2 Chronicles chapter 20 we read that an army in Moab, an army in Ammon, and a multitude of others from beyond the sea across from Syria were marching in unison to wage war on Jehoshaphat. When he heard the news he was scared and he went to God for help! He declared a fast for everyone in Judah. Everyone in all the cities of Judah came together and asked God for help. Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem in the house of the LORD, before the new court and this is what he said.

2 CHRONICLES 20:6-13 (6)And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not Thou God in heaven? and rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee? (7)Art not Thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever? (8)And they dwelt therein, and have built Thee a sanctuary therein for Thy name, saying, (9)If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in Thy presence, (for Thy name is in this house,) and cry unto Thee in our affliction, then Thou wilt hear and help. (10)And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; (11)Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of Thy possession, which Thou hast given us to inherit. (12)O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee. (13)And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

I wasn't there for this great gathering. I did not hear the speech myself, but I can almost see it in my mind. A terrified king gathered with the people of Jerusalem and Judah and king Jehoshaphat starts praying but he is really reminding the people of God's faithfulness. Are You not the God in heaven? Of course He is! Don't You rule over all the kingdoms, even those who don't acknowledge You? Of course He does! And in Your hand is there not power and might so that no one is able to defeat You? Yes!!!

He prays on asking, Aren't You the God who drove out the people that lived in the land in front of Your people Israel? You gave the land to the seed of Your friend Abraham! They lived here and built a sanctuary for Your name's sake, God. They said when evil happened to us we could stand in this house in Your presence because Your name is here, and we can cry to You in our affliction and You will hear and help!

That's a powerful reminder! Sometimes we need to pray back to God all that we remember He did. It isn't to remind God. He didn't forget. It's to encourage ourselves as we look back and see the hand of God all over our lives. 

King Jehoshaphat says to God, just look at the armies coming against us now, the very ones You told Israel not to destroy and they obeyed You. Now they pay us back by coming to run us out of our inheritance that You gave us! Please do something God because this problem is bigger than us! This obstacle is too difficult for us. We do not even know what to do but... and I love this part.... but our eyes are upon You!!!

When we get down to the nitty gritty with our circumstances, when the bills are due or late and the money isn't coming in... when we get the bad diagnosis and the time we thought we had now looks a lot shorter... when the job we love gets downsized and we find ourselves out of work... when the move comes at what feels like the worst time... when the sickness comes but does not go.... when our kids do everything we told them not to do or try and it looks like there is no hope.... when we think we have a future with our spouse and death or divorce changes that picture forever...are we still looking at the overwhelming, terrifying enemy marching at us, or do we put our eyes on Jesus? The very God who brought us through time and time again is still in power, still in control, still capable of fighting the enemy and winning!

Oh, yeah, that's easy for you to say, Bridgett! No it isn't! I have shared story after story of the times God came through when all hope seemed gone. I have a million more that I never shared and that is no exaggeration! It is hard to trust when it seems like the odds are stacked against us, but God is bigger and stronger and better than the enemy! God is mighty to save and able to heal and capable to deliver! He is God all by Himself and He needs NOBODY else! He has got things under control. Do we trust Him?

Here's the incredible part, the Spirit of the LORD came in the middle of the congregation and said, Everyone listen! Everyone who lives in Judah and Jerusalem and you, too, king Jehoshaphat. Don't be afraid and don't be distressed because of this great multitude because the battle is not yours it is God's! Do you hear Him saying that to you right now? I know I needed this message and Lord I am listening! Thank You for fighting my battles. God says we don't need to know how we are going to fight this battle because we are not going to fight. He will fight for us! Remember Exodus 14:14!

He instructs them what to do for the next day. He tells them to stand still and see the salvation of the LORD with them. Again He says don't be afraid or in distress, tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD will be with you! You're not going alone. He isn't up in heaven saying, "Oh that's a lot of people. Well, you're on your own. Wish you the best!" No!! He is telling them and He is telling us today, keep going and I am with you! 

They all fell on their faces to the LORD and worshiped Him. This week I was so lost in God's presence, I literally felt like I was bowing at His feet and I never wanted to leave. The Spirit of God was so tangible that I felt completely enveloped in His love and His light. We need to get serious about seeking God's face more than His hands, but when we do need His hands, we need to worship and magnify how great He is! He is worthy of all honor and glory and praise!

The next day king Jehoshaphat told the people, "Believe in the LORD your God and you will be established. Believe His prophets and you will prosper." Then he appoints singers to praise the beauty of Holiness as they went before the army. They were to say, "Praise the LORD; for His mercy endures forever." They began to sing and praise and God started sending ambushments against the armies of the people in Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir and they were struck down. None survived. That vast army of armies was slain every single one! And when the king and his people came to take the treasures that was found there were so many riches it took them THREE DAYS to get all the precious jewels and treasures.

When you get to the other side of this storm you're facing, when you've watched God fight your battles and you have cleaned up the treasures awaiting you, there's something more for you to do. On the fourth day they assembled themselves together and blessed the LORD. They even named the valley they celebrated in to reflect what God had done. It's time to rename some areas of our lives to declare what God has done. They went back to their lives and their routines with JOY because the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. There is joy and celebration on the other side of this battle. Keep your eyes on the LORD!

I love what verse 30 says, "So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave Him rest round about. The whole kingdom was at peace. God gave them rest on every side. I am thankful for the times God saw me through, fought my battles, and helped me overcome obstacles I never could have done on my own. I am thankful for the times He provided food, paid the bills with money we did not expect, got me safely home when I was out of gas, healed my body, helped us out of situations and circumstances we got ourselves into but He fought the battles. I am thankful for the victories and I am thankful for the peace that follows the victory.

What are you thankful for this Thursday? This world is in the middle of a pandemic, we see empty chairs around our table as loved ones are not here for one reason or another, danger is on every side, the earth is full of wicked deeds, but God is in control. He is in charge and He is victorious. He has never lost a battle and I know that He never will! I am thankful for the victorious King I serve and I am thankful for every battle He has won for me!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens