His Name is Jehovah Nissi

It was back in an Israeliste vs Amalekite battle that God revealed himself as Jehovah Nissi. You might remember this battle because God has Moses stay in the "touchdown!" pose for them to defeat the Amalekite's. Also, this is the first time we meet Joshua, who later leads the Isrealites to the promised land. You can find the story in Exodus 17:8-16.

I'll hit on a couple points that I feel are important to me. First, Moses couldn't do it on his own. A simple request from God right? "Hey Moses, if you hold your hands and staff high, I will keep the Israelites winning." But this isn't easy (go ahead, try it for 5 minutes). Moses needed others, he needed one person on each side of him to help hold his arms up. Guess what, we are NO different. When it's time to fight battles in our lives, we need the same things Moses had.

1) Communication with God (pray)

2) Friends on each side.

3) Utter trust in the Lord.

4) Staff, just kidding you shouldn't need a staff.

Second, the Lord tells Moses to write this story down on a scroll. Why? Well, so Moses, Joshua, Aaron, and all the other Israelites would remember that God saved them in the fight against the Amalekites. Joshua's skills, Moses leadership qualities, and the hand-to-hand combat guys, didn't win this war by themselves, the Lord simply provided for his people.

I think the Lord told me to start this blog to write down stories in my life that clearly had his hand at work. I believe he did, and for the same reasons he commanded Moses to. You see, we should write down these personal stories in detail, right after they happen, so we don't forget. So we don't forget how Jehovah Nissi can come in and beat the "Amalekites" of our 2009 lives.

What battle may you be in right now? What battle did the Lord just win for you last week? Last month? Last year? If you have written these down, re-read them and be reminded of how God pulled you through...in His timing.

My last post was a cry out to God to heal my nephew, Hudson. I wanted to be selfish and say, do it now...do it today Lord. But I stayed humble (for the most part) and asked for it to be done in His timing. Six days after Hudson was born, he was released from the hospital and cleared to go home. Praise the Lord! The Lord is My Banner! I want to always be reminded of this time in my life where God provided and healed, so I'm writing it down. Make sure you "make the time" to do the same.

Dear Lord, Jehovah Nissi,

Thank you for being a God of compassion, healing, and providing. It's because you LOVE us that you fight our battles. Father, I ask that we always remember what you do for us. If that means start a blog, buy a notebook, or create a photo album have the Spirit help and direct us to that place. I thank you for this old story that has new meaning to me. It's neat that something this old can still be applied today, and it's because your hand was in it. God, will you use this blog to reach others? Will you help readers know that we can't fight battles on our own, that you want to fight them for us, we just need to trust you and ask for you to come into our lives. Jesus, we thank you for sacrificing your life and living out a perfect example of how we should live today.

It's in your name I always pray Jesus,

Amen

His Name is Hudson Asher

I have mixed feelings. On one hand, I'm super excited. I could stand on a mountain and scream with joy. Why? The newest member of my family was born last Friday, May 29th, 2009. It's my third nephew from my older sister, Kristi, and his name is Hudson Asher. So why mixed feelings? Hudson has been in baby intensive care since the day of his birth. He for some reason didn't get a good cry out when he was first delivered, which doesn't clear his lungs of all the placenta stuff.

Basically, life's throwing him a curve ball and he doesn't even know what baseball is yet. I'm so full of emotion, that sometimes I think my body is confused on how it should feel. Jokes aren't as funny anymore and sports don't matter as much, I just think about my baby nephew Hudson all day. He's with my sister and family in Kansas City so I haven't even met him yet, but I have a strong urge to just run there by foot if I had to and hold him. I want to tell him everything will be alright. Is it okay if I trust God but still weep at the thought of something happening Hudson? I'm scared the answer is "no", then at least I know I need some help.

I'm taking Friday off from work and setting all my personal things aside, nothing is more important to me than family, so I'm going to KC this weekend to serve and love them.

I want this blog be a source of inspiration to myself and others when we read it, so at the end of every entry I will connect with God through prayer.

Dear Father,

I pray that you would use me on this trip to KC, however I can help. I ask that you open my eyes to situations that needs someone to step-up and instill some courage in me to follow your lead. God I already feel how emotionally tough this will be for me, the thought of something bad happening to my 3 day old nephew moves me to tears. I ask that you help give me strength and that you remind me to lift my fears up to you. I ask these same things for Kristi, Joe, Grandma Mary, Dad, Amy, Bennett, Weston, Lindsey, Lauren and all the family involved. God make us humble and always ask for help when we need it. We love you so much, I totally trust you and your plan. I'm grateful that you are in control and I'm not, my life would be very messed up if it were the other way around. Father, I ask that you be with me tomorrow and the rest of this week leading up to Kansas City. Going to work is going to be tough for me, when all I can think about is wanting to be with family. Thank you for your love, your Son, and your spirit. Thank you for your compassion.

In Jesus Name I pray,

Amen

On the outside of my hard copy journal I have on my desk it has this bible verse:

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strenth. They will soar on wings like eagles.

Isaiah 40:31

What a great verse from God today. I prayed for strength, and he showed me this verse 30 seconds later. He is faithful, we should be too.