I WILL Wednesday 5/28/2020

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

“I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your Wings.” Psalm 61:4

In today’s I WILL Wednesday, we are able to, again, see into the life of David while he is on the run from King Saul. Psalm 61 finds David tired, exhausted, and in need of some sort of relief. He says earlier in this same Psalm that his heart was overwhelmed as if he was desperate for something to happen that would give him peace and deliverance. As we’ve seen from David many times before, David knew where to go and Who to seek in the difficult times he was in.

In the fourth verse, David makes a declaration to the Lord from the place of pain. He says “I WILL abide in Your tabernacle forever”. He was saying that he wanted to stay in the presence of God forever. He understood that the presence of God was the only place he could, would, and should go to receive peace and deliverance while he was dealing with the hostilities of his life. David also put a time stamp on how long he wanted to dwell in God’s presence– FOREVER.

David’s desire was to stay permanently in the presence of God. This is where we should desire to dwell also. It is in the presence of God that we find peace and stability when everything around us seems hectic and rocky. It is in the presence of God where we find joy when everything around us says we should be in tears. It is in the presence of God where we find hope when everything around us says there is no hope. This is the place where David desired to be and this is the place that is available for us as well.

David also says that I WILL “trust in the shelter of Your Wings”! This is likened to the wings of a mother bird protecting her young. When it rains they use these wings to cover their children. When danger arises they use their wings to hide their children from the enemy. The mother bird will also use their wings to hold her children close to her. David was using the bird and the relation to her young to how he saw his relationship with God. It is in the arms of God where he would be sheltered from the attacks of the enemy, hidden in His love, and be drawn close to Him. This is a relationship we can enjoy, too!
Protected by Him.

Comforted by Him.

Sheltered by Him.

Oh how wonderful it is to know we have Someone we can abide in, take refuge in, and trust to be there us.

During this season and everyday, let’s be like David and say, “I WILL abide in His Tabernacle, and I WILL Trust in the shelter of His Wings!”

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I WILL Wednesday 5/13/20

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

“I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me.” Psalm 57:2

In today’s I WILL Wednesday, we find David in the cave running from King Saul, when an opportunity to kill his enemy stares him in the face. Instead of taking the opportunity to rid himself of the one who literally turned his life upside down and tried to kill him multiple times, David spares Saul’s life.

In Psalm 57, David focuses on the need for God’s protection. He talks about the enemies around him trying to entrap him and kill him. However, it is also here in this situation where David looks past all of what he is going through and focuses on the One who gave him the victory over a bear, a lion, and a giant.

David exclaims that he will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for him. Isn’t that amazing? Surrounded by enemies who wanted to kill him, he knew where his help came from. In a dark cave, far from the palace of which he would one day live, he did not rely on his own ability to get him out. Staring at a complete victory over the one person who has reeked havoc in his life he stepped back and cried out to God. Why is this so important? Because God is the One who can and will perform all things according to His perfect will. David knew that it was only God that could give him the complete and total victory. David knew that it was God who would fulfill His purpose in his life. So even though the pressure of the situation was weighing heavily on his shoulders, David took a step back and he cried out to God, who never fails.

What I love is that David resisted the urge to take things into his own hands. He had been anointed to be the next king of Israel about twenty years earlier. He had fought Goliath, and he had become a mighty warrior for Israel’s army, leading them in several victorious battles. David had even married King Saul’s daughter. Now, right before him was an opportunity! At least that’s what David thought for a moment, but then he remembered that it was not for him to perform, but God (see 1 Samuel 26:9-11). He truly believed the he would be king, and that God called him to that position. If God anointed him king, God would appoint him king at just the right time. David trusted God’s promise and God’s timing.

We all have had times in our lives that backed us into corners and made us question what we are to do. Times where it seems as though you have to make a move that God has not ordained. Even now with the coronavirus upending our lives like no one ever thought possible, we find ourselves in “caves” wondering when will we be free. Don’t move until God says so, because whatever He has promised, he will also perform.

Let’s take David’s example and cry out to God. He and only He can perform all things for us. God will see us through, and He will fulfill His purpose in us. So no matter where you are, or what you are going through, join me today and declare, I WILL cry out to God the Most High!

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Standing on the Word 5/11/20

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“He said to me, ’My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”2 Corinthians 12:9

This passage of scripture taken from 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds me to keep moving, time and time again.

Paul, the apostle, dealt with a “thorn in the flesh,” something that he prayed about three times. God’s answer to Him was “My Grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” I’m not sure how Paul felt, but that’s not the answer we always want to hear when we ask God to remove bad things from our lives. It is, however, the answer that we need to hear. Grace is a precious gift. It is enough to cover. It is enough to sustain us. And it is always available to us. The mighty awesome power of God is completely shown when we are at our weakest. So, like Paul, we don’t have to shrink in shame because of weaknesses; that is when God’s power rests on us all the more.

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Standing On The Word – 5/04/2020

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How’s it going? For some it has been rough! Inconsistency, uncertainties, and anxieties are running rampant. Fear, illness, and even death are realities that have become more evident than before. Families are facing financial, domestic, and other crises that cause stress and strain.

This passage offers hope!
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

The Name of the Lord is a phrase that implies the character of God.

He is loving. He is faithful. He is strength. He is merciful. He is all that is lovely and all that is right. In a world where all things seem to fall apart, we can run to the Lord. Why? Because He, like a fortified tower, keeps us safe from the world’s assault.

In Him, we can find the refuge we need.

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Write the Word-May 2020

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Hello dear ones!

Still writing? Great!

I’ve received some questions as to why we are not writing the entire chapters. This is because we are writing through the major themes of 1 Corinthians. A few of the themes we are focusing on are:

• Be Sensitive to One Another
• Observing the Lord’s Supper
• Spiritual Gifts
• Unity in the Body of Christ
• All About Love
• The Gifts in Worship
• Order in Worship
• The Risen Christ

Even by going through the major themes we can still experience God’s word powerfully. However, if you desire to write the entire chapter please feel free to do so.

One of the most well known chapters of 1 Corinthians, is the 13th chapter. We affectionately refer to this chapter as the love chapter. Paul tells us what love is and what love is not, and how love is one of the greatest gifts we could ever receive. Chapter 15 is one of the most powerful chapters we will ever read. It is about the risen Christ, this is the reality of our faith. This chapter contains the basic tenants of the gospel. We see Christ from death to resurrection, ending with Christ’s rousing victory over death, hell, and the grave.

Like always, use this guide as you see fit. Allow God’s Word to permeate your soul.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Happy writing,
Your friend in the journey,
Erica

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I WILL Wednesday

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It’s I WILL Wednesday!

Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You. For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, That I may walk before God in the light of the living? Psalm 56:12-13

As we sit in our homes and long for some routine, we may be thinking “normal is a long way off.” Well David could relate to what we are feeling as many of us are greatly missing the connectedness that may come from our jobs, social activities, and especially from our church family fellowships.

In today’s I WILL Wednesday, David can relate to what we are experiencing. Psalm 56 was written at a time when David had been captured by the Philistines in Gath. He was afraid, yet trusted God all the way.

Though he was far from the altar where he would normally offer sacrifice, David felt an obligation to honor God. He was constrained by his vow to do what he promised. More so, he felt that in the light of the mercies of God, He would present his offering, just as he would if he was before the altar. Because God is good and faithful to His promises, David knew that his rescue would come. Even in what appeared to be imminent danger, David knew he was walking in the light of life. Therefore, even in the midst of captivity to the Philistines, David said, “I WILL render praise”.

Today, we don’t offer sacrifices in the same way as they did in the time of David. But we do bring sacrifices of praise into the “House of the Lord.” We render praise and service in ministry to fulfill what we consider to be our Christian duty. Right now, we may feel like David, far from the House of God, but let me remind you that YOU are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)! Where you are, God is there! You don’t need a building to praise, you don’t need walls to rejoice! What about rendering service? Romans 12:1 speaks to this, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” I love how the Message Bible puts it, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him” (Romans 12:1 MSG)

In light of what God gave for us, His Son; and in light of what Christ did for us, gave His life, we are constrained to worship. Not just lifting hands and singing songs with a congregation in a building, but in all that you do, worship Him. Present your body—all that you are and all that you do—as a living sacrifice. That’s your worship—that’s real worship!

Though there are talks—more like controversy—about opening back up our country, we may still be a long way from normal. No matter where you stand on the issue, you can say like David, I WILL render praise!

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Standing on the Word 4/21/20

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The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This beautiful blessing, often used as a benediction, was brought to the forefront of my mind because of the popularity of the song “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe (Link in comments). The powerful words was a blessing that the priest, would say over the people. These words are just as powerful today. I’m standing on this blessing and declaring it over my family, and over you and your family as well.

The Lord bless you: Like no one else, when the Lord blesses, no one can change it. His blessings are always for our good.
And keep you: His security and protection is perfect. He is a refuge for us.
The Lord make His face shine on you: He doesn’t hide His face, but rather shines on us so that His presence will be evident in our lives.
Be gracious to you: He extends His tender mercy and grace towards us.
The Lord turn His face towards us: He lovingly looks on us, He doesn’t avert His gaze.
And give you peace: He gives us peace, not just peace, but “shalom,” wholeness and well-being.

Again, in the midst of this pandemic, and everyday, this is my prayer for you.

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