Pages

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Putting it all out there, Part II


3:41 p.m. Today's project was to join with other scripture-loving ladies at Debbie Snyder's house for our Bible study, Chapter 4 of I Samuel, a sorry tale of military defeat, scores of deaths, and utter humiliation for the Israelites. All of the carnage was due to their refusal to turn to the Lord for guidance and worship Him "in Spirit and in truth," as Jesus put it in John 4:24. In their idolatry and superstition, they thought that carrying the Ark of the Covenant with them into battle would ensure their victory over the Philistines. Even though God had placed the Ark in front of His armies as they crossed the Jordan River during the conquest of Canaan under Joshua 546 years earlier (Joshua 3:14-15), God put much more emphasis on His leaders seeking Him before going forward!!

As a result, 30,000 men of Israel were killed and the Ark of the Covenant was stolen by the Philistines! Tune in next week for I Samuel Chapter 5!

It's not easy to hear God's voice of guidance for a situation, but it's impossible if we don't even try, just going forward brashly with our own fleshly urges! Many times we just have to wait upon Him in prayer, ask for the action He would have us take, and see what the Holy Spirit tells us. God will speak to us most frequently through His Word, whether we're reading it, hearing it taught, singing it along with a song on Christian radio, like KSGN 89.7 here locally, or meditating on a verse or passage. The Holy Spirit can also speak directly to us. In the case of my son quitting his job on faith, because he needs to be in church on Sundays, the Word came through me, from the Lord, repeatedly telling me what Steven needs to do.

Sometimes the Lord allows a period of uncertainty on our part as we seek Him for a word of guidance. I have been pondering how to afford to fix the section of fence that blew over 6 weeks ago, and came up with no scenario in which money would be available. The neighbors said they'd be able to split the cost , but no offer has been forthcoming. Just this morning, a thought popped into my head: "Homeowner's insurance." It had to be the Lord, because I certainly was not thinking clearly! (Just a little preoccupied with family, various financial issues and arrangements, Bible study and Vacation Bible School!) Wow! (or Duh!) I contacted our Mercury homeowners' division, and they will have someone out tomorrow to look at the fence! Thank you, Lord!!

One gal at our study this morning stated, "It's time for us believers to get rid of worldly influences, and get prepared to just let it all go! Stop worrying about appearances, status, or 'What will they say?' or 'What if they don't like me?' Time to take a stand for righteousness!" I have begun calling it, "putting it all out there for God to handle." Everything, our every breath included, belongs to Him--let Him have all of it,every aspect of our. What are we holding on to? Probably a lot of misery and heartache in most of our cases...all for the sake of a lifestyle or to make the proper impression on others who don't even notice or care!

That brings us to the subject of our RV once again. One kind friend suggested renting it out for weekends, but our insurance won't cover commercial use, and it's a huge hassle for people to get coverage on their own. We did get the temporary coverage to rent a friend's RV many years ago, but we had plenty of time to take care of the paperwork involved. Our situation with the huge payment is urgent, at least in my eyes. God hasn't been absolutely clear on our direction--either continue to try to sell it when no one can get bank financing, as a few potential buyers have found out--or drive it down to the credit union and hand over the keys. Honestly, I'm leaning toward the latter! Steve is cleaning it out as I write this, but that would be a suitable action for selling also. A buyer wouldn't want all of the items we have stored there. Either way, we will behave honorably and have that RV cleaned to a spit-shine for the next owners-- a private buyer or the credit union!

Jesus said, in Matthew 5:16, "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

And that's what we intend to do, while we put it all out there for the Lord to have His say, and have His way!

2 comments:

  1. Dana...concerning the RV. Have you and Steve ever considered selling it to a company that rents out motor homes to long and short term campers. I have no idea who you might contact; Steven might be able to help you from Fresno since there are some national parks in the area with this service. Let me know if this works for you; also I know that Anza-Borr. Desert Resort offers this as a camping option???? Hugs, Cindy S.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Cindy!! I will look into that on Tuesday the 6th!! I know the Lord will make a way...

    ReplyDelete