The WINNERS from week 3 of our SUMMER GIVE~AWAY are:
Captivating Small Group Video – Blair Brumenschenkel
Heaven Is for Real – Kristena
The Shelter of God’s Promises DVD Study – Karen Knapp
Stuck DVD based study – Maryann Bennett
The WINNERS from week 2 were:
Stress Point by Sarah Martin - Lynnet
Women’s Study Bible, KJV Leather - Lisa Bowdon
Women’s Study Bible, KJV Hardback - Donna Whitman
Whither Thou Goest, I Will Go, ebook - Lourdes Fay
Broken Vessels, ebook - April V
Email [email protected], we’ll get those prizes in the mail to you!!
This FRIDAY, July 13th we will feature some Jesus Calling resources and some Christian fiction! Don’t miss this Friday giveaway! Remember to simply leave a comment between Friday and Sunday to be eligible to win!
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Today we’re exited to be giving away five (5) of Nicole’s book, She’s Got Issues. To enter, simply leave a comment at our Daily Grind Counter all week long. Winners will be announced Monday, July 16, 2012. Giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents.
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Just when you think it couldn’t get any worse, it always does.
At least it seems to at the Cowell house!
Sometimes, it’s relatively small things.
Like forgetting to put chlorine in our pool all winter and pulling the cover off to find a deep, dark swamp. (Who, me?)
Other times, the darkness is life altering. You’re praying for a loved one, asking God to turn them around, only to find out they have gone deeper into the pit of dark living. Discouragement threatens to pull you into the pit as well.
I know this must be how Moses felt. He had obeyed God: gone to Pharaoh and delivered the message to set God’s people free. But the entire situation only got worse. According to Exodus 6:6 – 23, not only did they have to continue the back breaking work of making bricks from scratch, now they had to get the supplies themselves as well. The people of God were furious with Moses; it was his fault that the work was now harder than ever. They blamed him.
Of course, Moses had done nothing but obey God.
That’s the way life is sometimes. We sense God calling us, but when we obey, the situation gets worse.
Your child is struggling in public school, so you take him out to home school. For a time, his learning seems to go downhill; your in-laws blame you.
Your family time is suffocating, so you back off from volunteering so much in order to invest in each other. For a time, the church staff thinks you’re wrong.
You’ve raised your child to worship and follow hard after God, lived it out too, but now she’s “finding her own way” off at college. Some say you must have done something wrong.
Friend, when you have obeyed God and followed His Word and things only get worse, just know, that like the Israelites, God’s blessings are yet to come! When we make choices that follow the truth God has laid out for us, but it just doesn’t seem to working, we can be confident that God is setting things up to give Himself glory. Our job is to continue to obey: keeping our eyes on Him and His faithfulness and not on the immediate things before us. In Exodus 6:3, God revealed Himself as “El-Shaddai – God Almighty” and He wants to do the same in you!
It’s all about His glory and not ours. “…Then you will know I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt.” (Exodus 6:7)
During this season, don’t be like the Israelites; don’t become so discouraged that you won’t listen to encouragement. When Moses came to give them, God’s word says, “…but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.” Read God’s word, listen to sermons online, spend time with friends who will encourage you when the pit is dark and deep. Know that God is setting the stage for a mighty work of freedom and deliverance in your life and keep your eyes on Him!
Jesus, not only does my situation seem deep and dark, but sometimes I feel dark too! Thank you for encouraging me to look to You and know that You are faithful and are at work, even when I don’t see it. I can’t wait to experience Your mighty work of freedom for me and my family. Amen
Would you like to bring the message of hope-filled living to the women of your church? Click here to find out more about considering Lynn as your next retreat / key note speaker.
Visit Lynn’s blog for your free resources for wise living!
You are a blessing.
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Love the devotionals! Thank you ladies for allowing God to work through you!
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What a WONDERFUL message Lynn! I am so glad you sent this message, it really helps me and I know it will help a lot of my friends and family as well. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
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I’m so glad you found it encouraging!
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