Day 40

I'm so encouraged to have made it 40 days, and the first 40 of 2014 have been awesome. God is up to something big peeps.. get ready get ready get ready.
Don't just end your prayer and fasting until next year. Press in. Keep fasting and praying as God leads you. Keep Him first all year long.  Keep the faith. Keep smiling. Keep preferring others. Keep love in your heart.  Expect GREAT things from God. He loves to bless you. You are the apple of His eye. You are a child of the most high King.  Amen? Hallelujah

For the Harvest,
Cathie

Day 39

As soon as we take an interest in witnessing and evangelism,

 God is interested in us. We become people after His own heart. 

There’s more to God than making mountains and stars. 

His priority is people. He runs the whole universe with a 

saving objective. Our troubles... trouble Him and He calls us 

to share His concern. That is our Great Co-Mission.

(I love Reinhard Bonnke.) so true

From My House to Yours,

Cathie  

Day 38

Write the Vision

I. SIT DOWN

Take some time (with your spouse and children if you have them) to check your heart and talk about these 3 areas...

II. WRITE DOWN (3 Things)

1) What you desire to give into the Kingdom of God this year. 

2) What you owe—every debt, large or small. (Write down the principal, interest rate, payment, etc.) 

3) What you would like to have or do personally if price/cost was of no concern.

III. HOLD UP  

1) Hold the papers up before the Lord (with your spouse and children). 

2) Acknowledge the Lord as your total Source and Thank Him for caring for you in times past.

3) Ask Him to enable you to fulfill the vision you’ve written. 

4) Claim all the funds necessary (plus some extra) to give, pay off, and do what you have written. 

5) Command the devil to take his hands off these monies. Forbid him to hinder it coming to you. 

6) Charge the ministering spirits to go and work swiftly to cause the monies to come in. 

7) Thank the Father wholeheartedly for bringing these things to pass in your life, to His glory.

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 37

Revelation 12:11 (NLT) "And they have defeated him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of their testimony. And they were not afraid to die"

The Bible says that in the end, the devil is defeated by the blood of Jesus and our testimony. Is that a wild thought? Our Testimony is obviously a powerful weapon! So since it is a weapon, we ought to be able to use it pretty well right?

Telling someone about what God has done in your life should be the most natural conversation in the world, but some of us would rather take a drivers test than try to talk about their faith with someone they don't know.

One day I sat in my office and chatted for more than 30 minutes with a friend who is on a new diet and has lost over 40 pounds. She was thrilled to share how she was doing it and I was thrilled to listen! LOL! We'll share our diets, we'll share our hobbies, our favorite TV shows, just about anything... but we stumble when it comes to sharing our testimony. Yikes!

There is a fantastic resource on the web that will help you to write out your testimony clearly and simply. It's 5Clicks.com and you can do it completely online and then print it out. Go check it out today!

Father God, please help me to be more comfortable in sharing my story of faith with other people. Make me brave and make me willing! Give me the right words at the right time. In Jesus' Name, Amen!

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

from my morning devotional

Day 36

"I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending..." Revelation 1:8a

You may be in a situation that looks hopeless, it may look like the end is near and it's time to give up, it may look like you've lost... well, it doesn't matter what it may look like, the final outcome will come when God says it's over. Man may count you out, the enemy may tell you you've lost, the chance for victory may look impossible, but it's not over until the Lord says it's over. Don't lean to your own understanding and think that just because it looks like it's over that it is... it may not be... it's not unless the Lord says it is. So, don't throw in the towel too soon, don't "pull the plug", don't surrender, don't give it up unless the Lord has said that it's over. Jarius thought it was over- his daughter was dead- but God hadn't said it was over. The man at the pool thought it was over because he couldn't make it into the water, but God didn't say it was over. Everyone thought it was over for Daniel when he was thrown into the lion's den, but God didn't say it was. Job's wife thought it was over and encouraged her husband to curse God and die, but the Lord didn't say it was over. Jesus hung on the cross until the Father said it was over, and when He did.... Jesus said it was finished- it's over.

Have a blessed day. Let the Lord determine when it's over.... not your situation, not your feelings, not the enemy or anything else.

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 35

"And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:" 1 Kings 2:3

When I read this verse, it sounded very familiar... I had heard it in Joshua 1:7- "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest." The verse in 1 Kings is King David's charge to his son Solomon. David was dying and Solomon was getting ready to take the throne as king of Israel. The verse in Joshua was given to Joshua by God just before he was to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. God wanted both of these men to be prosperous in what they were about to do and where His will for their lives was taking them.

God wants you to be prosperous as well. He wants you to succeed in that which He calls you to do. So he tells us how that this will happen. In both verses God gives us the key... and condition... to being prosperous wherever we go. "Walk in His ways, keep His statues, commandments, judgments, and testimonies. In other words... be obedient to His commands and you will prosper wherever you are. Do you want to be prosperous wherever you go? Then obey His commands.

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 34

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV 1984)

Has your trust ever been shattered by someone you love? A few years ago I was faced with a very unsettling situation. I was shocked when I learned of hidden sin that had spun its way into the life of someone I care about deeply.

For weeks, I pleaded with God on my knees for an explanation, for understanding, for clarity. My sense of reality had been threatened and betrayed. I desperately cried out, “What is real Lord? Tell me what is real. Because what I thought was real may not be.”

One night as I went to bed, I tried to make peace with the fact that maybe I was never supposed to understand this devastating circumstance. There were many questions, but few answers. Many thoughts, but few explanations. The next morning, during my quiet time, the Lord gently began to reveal some answers to my wounded heart.

I was reminded of my need for Him – my never-ending, all-consuming need for Him. Too often I take my eyes off of the Lord and attempt to live difficult situations in my own strength. Colossians 3:1-2 profoundly challenged me, “Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (NIV 1984). Unfortunately, my focus had shifted to my questions and myself. And apart from God, my focus had become distorted.

I was reminded that I needed to continue to seek the Lord and patiently wait for what He had in store. I began to beg the Lord to take this hurt away. Make it disappear, Lord. But then I’d sense Him saying to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV). By admitting my frailty, God was able to affirm His strength in me.

And finally, He pointed me to what is real. He gently reminded me that He is real. My God is real. Though on this earth I will face many stressful situations, many disappointments, and many hurts, I know that my God is real and He will never leave me. I once again found loving comfort in the words from Moses to Joshua in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (NIV 1984). I knew I had to completely depend on God and believe in His goodness.

My assignment in this difficult circumstance was clear. The Lord was asking me to continue to pray, believe, trust, seek, wait and focus on Him and Him alone. I am so thankful that nothing will ever separate me from His unfailing love. And THAT my friend is real.

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

reprinted from my morning devotion today!

Day 33

So many people today are looking for meaningful relationships, yet so few actually find them. My mother use to tell me to count myself lucky if I had just one “close friend.” That’s because close life-long relationships are hard to come by. Since we are becoming an increasingly private society, it seems that fewer people than ever actually have life-long intimate friends. Still, the desire for this kind of relationship is not only sought after, but necessary.

Women are naturally drawn to other women. In fact, a girl’s first experience with heartache may have been over a lost “best friend” rather than a “boyfriend.” Women value friendships. When they are lost, we grieve; not just over the friendship itself, but also for the secrets shared, the trust given and the acceptance enjoyed. If betrayed, the pain runs deep causing us to wonder if intimate friendships are really possible.

When I think of a biblical example of real friendship, the story of David and Jonathan, found in 1 Samuel 19, always comes to mind.

Jonathan, son of King Saul, was David’s closest friend. The King despised David because he was growing in popularity and because God had anointed David to be king. These facts enraged King Saul, and he commanded his aids and Jonathan to assassinate David. But Jonathan loved David; therefore he would not betray David.

Love isn’t the only fruit of true friendship. A real relationship consists of sacrifice too.

We discover in this story that Jonathan stripped himself of the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his armor, his sword, his bow, and his belt. Jonathan was the potential heir to his father’s throne, but we see him sacrificing his future for David as he literally gives David his place as king.

You and I learn from this action that true friendship means a willingness to sacrifice for each other in love. It’s the ability to put another’s needs, desires, and wishes above those of our own.

Loyalty is also a mark of true friendship. We’re told that Jonathan went to his father and spoke well of David. Jonathan also stood up to his dad and said, “Dad, you’re wrong about David. He hasn’t done anything against you, in fact, everything he’s done has helped you.” A true friend is a loyal defense before others; one who won’t talk about you when you’re not around. True friends stick up for each other and are ready to defend when others attack.

Finally, intimate friends give each other complete freedom to be themselves. In an intimate friendship, you don’t have to explain why you do what you do. You’re just free to do it.

When Jonathan gave David the sign that things were not okay in the palace and that his dad was going to kill David, the two were forced to say goodbye. The text tells us they wept together.

When your heart is broken, you can bleed all over a friend like this and she’ll understand. She won’t try to comfort you in your misery or tell you to straighten up. Intimate friends let each other hurt and they weep together. If your friend needs to complain, you will listen. Intimate friends don’t bale, they stay. They allow you to be yourself no matter what ‘self’ looks like.

If you’re looking for a Godly recipe for relationships, look no further. Mix together love, sacrifice, loyalty, and freedom and you can create an intimate friendship that lasts a lifetime.

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 32

WOW... an entire month has past. Don't you just feel so much closer to the Lord? Can you believe we've made it this long? God is so good!

Are you bearing fruit?

And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'" – Luke 13:6-9

The simple truth is that there is not much use in a fruit tree that doesn’t grow fruit, just like there isn’t much use in a Christian that isn’t living out Christ’s teachings. God made us, the Church, to be people of growth and action. It is his desire that we constantly seek to mature in our faith, and the way we do that is by getting involved in the world around us. It doesn’t have to be anything big. Become a greeter at your Church, make a small donation, or bring a meal to the couple that just had a baby. All that matters is if your heart is providing a harvest for God because you never know what he’ll do with the spiritual fruit you create.

Find your own way to serve Christ’s Kingdom, no matter how small.   

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 31

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
JAMES 1:19-20

I believe anger is one of the most dangerous and least talked about emotions. Anger can destroy marriages. It can devastate families. It can crush young people who grow up in homes where they are treated with disrespect and contempt. There are many people who seemingly never have a problem with their tempers in public but are more volatile than you'd ever imagine in their own homes and families.

I heard about a man who has helped many people sort through deep-seated issues of worth, forgiveness and abuse through his wise counsel, writings and speaking. He is indeed a good, godly man. But he'd be the first to tell you that anger has been a tough nut for him to crack. One day him and his wife were lost in downtown Chicago, and he was boiling over about the poor directions she had given him. Things got so bad that she abruptly left the car and began walking away at a brisk pace.

"Where do you think you're going?" He blurted out through the rolled-down window. She shot back, "I am not going to sit in the same car with you and give you the right to continue to sin against me." Then she snapped open her cell phone and called her friend to come pick her up. Oh, the humility of the moment! You likely have a similar story or two you could tell.

Take another look at the verse for today. If anger is an issue in your marriage, I suggest that you memorize it. And if you've allowed anger at your spouse to spill over into your family, I encourage you to ask for forgiveness from your spouse and your children.

Anger in your marriage and family—how often is it expressed? What impact does it have on your family? Talk about one step of action you'll take to address this emotion in your lives, marriage and family.

Pray, pray, pray for God to remove anger from you and your loved ones today. He can do it! 

From My House to Yours,

Cathie
PS Happy Birthday to our 6 year old daughter Phoebe Dawn Hightshoe. She is an incredible blessing to us. She is the living testimony of God working all things out for our good. WE LOVE YOU sweet baby girl.

Day 30

Is there something that you know the Lord will take care of, yet you've let the appearance of the situation in it's present state prevent you from believing God? This has happened to me countless times over the years... the situations for which there appear to be no solution can seem endless can't they?

Or maybe, like the spies in Numbers 16, you've projected your own fears onto a situation and created a problem where presently there is none? Many of us have a tendency to work things up in our own minds, spending inordinate amounts of time devising a plan of action for innumerable worse-case scenarios that never come to pass.

As I think back to how impossible many situations seemed while I was facing them, I realize that God had already worked the situation out in my favor, and all I had to do was to trust Him and step out of His way. Getting caught up in the earthly perspective and leaving God out of the equation resulted in fear and hopelessness, which slowed down the process of His work.

Remember that even when you can't see the big picture, God already has it worked out! What seems hopeless to you now is all a part of God's plan for your life to bring Him glory. Focus on His faithfulness to you in the past, and trust Him to work the unseen. There are many more miracles He wants to bring to pass in your life if you believe in His provision. Amen?

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 29

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You,and I will look up. (Psalm 5:3) Oh God, You are my God; early I will seek you. (Psalm 63:1)

I’ve never been a morning person.  I don’t get into my groove until around 9am. I’ve accepted that about myself:* I’m a night person, and that’s all there is to it.

For that reason, I never took a literal interpretation to the scriptures above: surely I don’t have to read the Bible in the MORNING. I could read at night! Theoretically, at least…since shutting off the TV and laptop is much harder than turning it on. But I could just pray in the morning! And I watch Joyce Meyer every day while I get dressed, isn’t that the same thing as being alone with God?

Apparently, it isn’t. Not for me, anyway.

A few months ago, I started reading the Bible while I drinking my coffee as soon as I woke up on the weekends.** I realized that routine made a huge difference in the amount of peace and joy I had as I went through my daily tasks. So I decided to get up twenty minutes earlier and continue my weekend routine.

I always made the excuse that I wouldn’t be alert enough to read the Word at 6:30 a.m., but there’s a difference between doing a Bible STUDY and MEDITATING on the Word. Some days, I might just read a few lines in Psalms, and thenI think about it, repeat it over and over. If my mind wanders to the things on my to-do list, I go with that. It’s okay, because my mind isn’t racing wildly: the whole experience of prepping for the day is now occurring within the framework of God’s goodness and purpose for my life.

Sometimes I re-read the same underlined portion of a chapter three days in a row, and then on a morning when I have a little more time (and alertness), I’ll forge ahead into more chapters and a deeper study.

The devil makes a bid for our minds early in the morning. It’s amazing how many anxious thoughts he can inspire just within the first 5 minutes I’m awake. As usual, obedience toward the command to seek the Lord early isn’t for God’s benefit, it’s for my own. I’m not doing Him a favor by making time for Him first: I’m setting myself up for spiritual success, I’m putting on the armor I’ll need in the day’s battle.

From My House to Yours,
Cathie

PS Happy Birthday James "The Car Man" Harman. Husband, Father, Son, Friend, Uncle, Brother, and Buddy. We miss you!

Day 28

Psalm 36: 5-7
5 Your unfailing love, O LORD, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. 7 How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. 
David, the writer of this psalm, enjoyed a close relationship with God and was called a man after God's own heart. He wrote many psalms describing the greatest of God's love for us. Take time to re-read this psalm and thoughtfully consider how God's love is described in every line.
What does it mean to you that God's love is unfailing?
Challenge:
Spend a few minutes in one of your favorite places in nature today. Consider how God's love is displayed all around you. Then take some time to express your love for Him in your own unique way.
1) Write your own psalm describing God's unfailing love.
2) Paint or draw something in nature that speaks of God's faithfulness.
3) Sing a song that shares your gratefulness for His goodness.
4) Simply speak aloud your praise.

Allow His unfailing love to wash over your every thought and care.
From My House to Yours,
Cathie

Day 27

Food for thought today
Not by might, Nor by power _____________________

Most of us can complete this sentence easily, maybe even hum the tune to the classic Leslie Phillips song that declares Zechariah 4:6... but by my spirit says the Lord.
But how often do we practice that scripture? If we know that nothing is accomplished but 
by His Spirit, why do we try to make things happen in our own strength?
Hummmmmm

From My House to Yours,
Cathie
P.S. Happy Birthday to my sweet 17 year old daughter Sara Frances. I'm so honored to be your mom. I'm glad God chose me to raise and love and you. I hope you always know how wonderful you are to this family.

We appreciate you more than you will ever know. I pray God's richest blessings on you today!!

Day 26

Simple word for today, but it's on my heart:
CHOOSE, right now,  to FORGIVE.. Just do it.. Let it go!

From My House to Yours,
Cathie

Day 25

Questions to ponder on Day 25...
Did I ask God to help me do my best each of the 25 days? Did I look to Him for strength and wisdom? Did I grow closer to Him this week? this month?  Did I actively seek out ways to become less self-centered and more giving to my friends and family? Has God begun a good work in me? Of Course He has...
Be confident of this, that He who has begun a good work in [me], will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phillipians 1:6)

I read my daily scripture passage but some days I do not get it past my head and down into my heart. The early morning hours can sometimes seem to be a difficult time to thoughtfully study and ponder on the truths of the Word, especially if one of my 6 kids wake up early. At that time of day my racing mind is already filling with busy ideas and plans about the next twelve hours, and it doesn't seems to want to slow down for a spiritual feeding.

What about you? The psalmist says "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth" (Psalms 119:103). Are the wonderful, awesome, sweet truths of the Word able to slowly drip down from your head to your heart and soul? Do they fortify you for the day ahead, or are the precious passages quickly forgotten as you walk out the door? Does your soul's "sugar level" stay above the danger zone, enabling you to get through a long day with the "spiritual insulin" it received in your morning devotions?

Here is an idea that may help you. Continue reading the Bible where you left off the day before. Read slowly...carefully...thoughtfully until you come to a phrase, passage or verse that really speaks to your heart. Stop right there. Allow yourself to be saturated, mind and soul, with that single truth. Then, jot the nugget down on a 3x5 index card. Stick that card on your mirror, prop it on your desk, or put it anywhere that will allow you to "snack" on that truth all day long. Glance at the morsel often and find opportunity to share your "tidbit of the day" with a family member or other believer.

By narrowing your focus, you will truly be able to meditate throughout the busy workday on a specific point of truth. Your spiritual "blood levels" will stay elevated enough to meet any demands that your day may bring your way. Later, as time allows, deeper Bible study will provide the "meat" of a spiritually balanced diet.

Psalm 34:8 tells us to "Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." Let's not go out our door in the morning until we have "packed a lunch" that will carry our heart and souls through the day ahead!

From My House to Yours,
Cathie

Day 24

I used to not be very good about reading the Bible. I would start every single day in the word, and then I found myself making excuses. I'll do it later this afternoon. Tomorrow. I'm reading a book by a Christian author right now, so I can skip the Bible today.

This morning when I woke up, I asked myself, What would I be most satisfied in accomplishing today? And the answer was--spending some time with God. So I did it first thing. Hallelujah, I've come farther than I used to be.

Just a few minutes in the rocking chair, sipping my coffee, starting the book of Acts because, why not? Let's look back at the early church to see what examples they've left for us how to do life. I get as a far as the 8th verse when something hits me. Jesus's final words before ascending to heaven were these:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

The key word here for me is witnesses. Jesus asked His disciples to be witnesses for what they had seen. Not lawyers, arguing the case for Him and fiercely debating anyone who disagrees. Not judges, determining a punishment for those who think differently and condemning them to what we believe is the correct fate. Witnesses. We are tell what we've seen, what we know to be true in our own lives. We run into all sorts of problems as Christians when we attempt to be lawyers and judges running a moral courtroom that Godis in charge of. What if we were to take a step back, and return to the humble role of witnesses, simply testifying on behalf of Christ in our daily lives?

It's a small revelation, one that took less than 10 minutes to get. I can't help but wonder how many other things God has wanted to tell me that I wasn't able to hear, simply because I didn't make the time to read and listen EVERYDAY.

Lord, thanks for breaking through my stubbornness each morning. Help me to connect with You in Your Word everyday. Not out of guilt or obligation, but out of a sense of awe and wonderment, and excitement to see what you want to show me next. Give me fresh revelations so I can be a witness for all that You do.

From My House to Yours,
Cathie

Day 23

The potential for greatness lies inside all of us. We must work hard to reach our goals.
Put God 1st in your life- God can lead us further and higher in reaching our potential if we are behind Him and not in front of Him.
Stay focused on the right things- if we focus on our potential instead of our limitations, we'll find that we can overcome those limitations.
Speak in agreement with the possibilities in God's Word - if our words don't line up with God's Word, we will sabotage any success we might attain.
Apply continuos effort to everything we are able to do - no matter what we face, we must keep going and never quit.
Don't try to make it all happen at once - break down long term goals into monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Doing this makes dreams more attainable.

DON'T get distracted!
Keep praying and fasting
From My House to Yours,
Cathie

Day 22

KEEP YOUR HEART WITH DILIGENCE

Proverbs 4:23  Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (KJV)

Attitudes make or break our day.  One look or one wrong word can destroy a good day.  What happened?  What caused the dramatic change?  Perhaps, without our knowledge, we have developed a "heart" problem.  Unresolved issues with our boss, fellow workers, parents, children, family members, neighbors, or with God Himself can cause this malfunction of the spiritual “heart”.   Unsettled problems create rifts or division in our lives that affect the attitudes of the heart.

Scripture tells us to watch over our heart. It affects our entire day.  How do we "keep our heart with all diligence"?  In Jeremiah 17:9 we read The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.  Who can understand it?  I believe that only the Holy Spirit can reveal our true motives and the condition of our heart!  David prayed, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10)  He realized that only God could set his heart and attitude right again. 

When things seem out of sync, emotions flair, and relationships suffer, I search for root heart issues crying out to God for help.  First, I confess with my mouth that things are not right (even when I don't know the root issues).  Then, I ask God to reveal to me where I have wronged my fellowman, or suffered a wound, or failed to forgive, or chose to judge, or disobeyed. I ask for understanding on how to make things right.  Next, I spend time reading a related passage of Scripture--meditating on it--looking for truth to apply to my situation.  Finally, when the Holy Spirit reveals truth to me and brings conviction, I repent and commit myself to do what is required to clear the offense (Matthew 5 & 18). 

I know that the Holy Spirit can set my heart right again.  He has done it for me time and again.  My peace and joy depends upon a clean heart.  A clean heart comes when I take care of offenses.  We can be assured that He who began a good work in you [us], will carry it on to completion...(Phil.1:6).   He's just a prayer away!

DEAR GOD, DO HEART SURGERY ON ME.  TAKE MY HEART OF STONE AND REPLACE IT WITH A HEART OF FLESH (Ezek. 11:19)  Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.  (Psalms 19:14)

From My House to Yours,

Cathie

Day 21

I Would Never Follow Another God

Deuteronomy 13:1-18

"If a prophet . . . announces a miraculous sign or wonder . . . and it takes place, and he says 'Let us follow other gods,' you must not listen to him."

Wouldn't it be handy if the things that cause us to fall away from Christ just announced to us "Let us follow other gods"? I've never had any person or thing tempt me to live outside of what I know is Christ-like in that way. No, the things that tempt me are much more sly. I'm assuming that over the thousands of years since God announced this warning to Israel, the enemy has discovered there are better ways to get the children of God to turn their backs on him, even if only for a few moments.

God told Israel He would allow these prophets and dreamers to come and offer their "miracles and signs" to test them, to see if their hearts really were completely dedicated to following the one true and sovereign Lord. And in the 21st century since the birth of His Son, we find ourselves facing the same temptations with much more deceptive tactics.

Almost no one says to us, "Come follow other gods." Instead we hear things like, "Your children deserve to . . ." or "You need the money," "You deserve nice things," "Everyone is doing it," and best of all "God wants you to have it." Christians all over creation give up worshipping their creator to be slaves of the created. We miss church or skip a quiet time with God each day because we 'don't have time.' We have time for television, but not time for scripture. We have time for yard work, after all we are supposed to care for God's creation, but we don't have time to give Him the Sabbath He asked for at the very beginning. For years the world said 'Sunday is my only day to sleep in' and after it convinced us that was the reason we didn't worship, it began to schedule sporting events, even for the kids, too early to be in church AND make the game. Work has become a priority; because not only must we eat and have a simple roof over our heads, it is now necessary to have gaming systems, expensive vacations, the best car or whatever other toy our friends or co-workers have convinced us is the biggest and best.

I think it would be easier 50 years ago if someone had just said, "We don't really have to observe God's commands, let's keep the stores open on Sundays." Most shop owners would have balked at that, even non-Christians. But instead, the false prophets said, "You could make more money, and besides people NEED you to be open on Sunday; this will be such a convenience for them." Either way, the Sabbath began to be destroyed because someone didn't pass that test of Deuteronomy 12:3 & 4.

Over and over in our lives we are offered opportunities to follow Christ or follow the world. The world's reasoning changes depending on our circumstances or the culture, but Christ's always remain the same, "If you love me, you will follow my commands." "It is the Lord your God you must follow, and Him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey Him; serve Him and hold fast to Him."

Believe me, I know how difficult it is to tell the difference between a real prophet and a false one. I've followed the "road of good intentions" many times only to find out it wasn't the "Way of Truth." But in my life I want to follow Christ more each day, and I believe when we do that, follow Him a bit better every day of our lives, on most days we will be able to say with Joshua, "Show me this day whom you will serve . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)

From My House to Yours,

Cathie