Thoughts for Life: DEATH VALLEY

Death Valley

Lilka Raphael-

Most people can appreciate a sunny day. Severe storms? Not so much. Yet the storm of the century in Death Valley National Park precipitated an incredible transformation. A deluge of rain fell unexpectedly, depositing more than a year’s rainfall in a single day. Roads flooded, trails became impassable, and the park closed for weeks.

Two months later, the hottest place on earth was still wet. Wildflowers bloomed out of season. The typically dry Badwater Basin became home to a shallow lake. The change in the landscape was so profound that park rangers reported they hadn’t seen anything like it in over eighteen years.

As uncomfortable as our “death valleys” are, they can also birth new things. Yet, instead of changing the landscape around us, God uses the low points in our lives to change us. We may feel we are dying, but what we feel and what is true are not necessarily the same.

God brings beauty out of barren places. A job loss is devastating until it opens the door to a new, rewarding career. Classes are overwhelming until we graduate. Childbirth is brutal until the baby arrives, and the labor pains become a vague memory.

Life forces us to experience things, but we do not have to fear them. With Jesus as our Counselor, Comforter, and Advocate, our dry places can eventually suit God’s purpose.

Even when we bring hot situations upon ourselves, God is merciful. Moses was a murderer, but God chose him to liberate the Israelites from Egypt. Abraham took Sara’s maid, trying to fulfill God’s plan hastily, yet he received the promised son from his once barren wife.

Like these unlikely heroes, our mistakes don’t define us either. The fear of failure should never hold us hostage. We can live with confidence when we focus on our faith and embrace the new things our Father does in and through us.

God brings dead things to life. Think of some dead areas you need to turn over to God. Then, watch what He will do.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

Psalm 23:4 NKJV

Let's pray-

Chelsey DeMatteis- "Father, thank you for covering me and carrying me through the darkest of times. You are faithful to settle and steady the storms in your timing, but when it feels tumultuous, you are with me. You are my refuge and my safe place. Help me see the ways you are carrying me; remind me of the ways you were faithful before. In the waves of grief and weakness, protect me from the enemy and his lies. Hold me tightly, Father, as I take refuge within your loving embrace. In Jesus' name, amen."

#89 Testimony- Jesus

On the last night, when giving His great promise about the Holy Spirit, He lays emphasis on this point: "If ye love me, keep my commandments; and I will ask the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter "(John 14:15-16).

Obedience is essential as a preparation for the reception of the Sprit. This thought is often repeated by Jesus; "He that has my commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves me; and he that loves me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him" (John 14:21).

This is also seen in John 14:23: "He who loves me will keep my words, and my father will love him, and we will come unto him and dwell with him." Also see John 15: "If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (15:7); "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love (15:10); Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you" (15:14). (Andrew Murray in his book- PRAYER LIFE, pg.65)

1481-1485 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

1481- Ez. 5:5 "Thus saith the Lord God; this is Jerusalem: I have set it in the

midst of the nations and countries round about her."

1482- Ezra 6:7a "Let the work of this house of God alone."

1483- Jer. 2:2b "Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee."

1484- Is. 2:17b "The LORD alone shall be exalted in that day."

1485- Ps. 9:14b "I will rejoice in thy salvation.

#89 Hymn- Jesus Paid It All

The information about this song, is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL

Elvina Hall's mind wandered, as her pastor was praying a lengthy prayer, at the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore. She began doodling on the flyleaf of the hymnal, and scribbled some words down.

Elvina's poem she wrote fell into the hands of John T. Grape, a coal merchant and the church organist at her church. As it happened, the church was being renovated, and the small organ had been taken to Grape's house for safekeeping. There he composed the music to "Jesus Paid It all."

Some encouraging words-

Nothing that concerns us is a matter of indifference to God. Our problems are His problems. Our cares and worries are borne about in His heart. We must never lose heart, knowing that the God, whose hand orchestrates the symphany of world history, shows us His loving affection, and comforts us in our misery and burdens.

Church Notes:

In studying what the World's Culture is, we find that God isn't in their picture at all.

The World's Culture teaching is:

#1 "Do whatever you want" It is the self-promoting attitude. (God's put boundaries up against such beliefs for our protection as Christians.)

#2 "Be whatever you want." Society has become confused about who is male or female: (God's order of creation from Genisis 1!)

#3 "Love whoever you want!" What/who we identify with, takes our thoughts captive and brings us into relationship. (Our hearts need Jesus!)

Affirm and celebrate God! Life is sacred for we are in the image of God. We're to defend the volnerable and troubled people, showing them that God is well-Able to heal and deliver them if they want deliverance. (Our part is to choose God's help!)

Upcoming posts:

6/14th- UNDER ATTACK- Jordan Zuniga

21st- THE RODIO GIRL- Theresa Pierce

28th- A NEW BEGINNING- Brandie Muncaster