AN EGG ON A HOT SIDEWALK

How awesome is the time to connect with family members who live so far away! You can find some things like the weather to laugh about. Although I know some traveling by plane have found the going slow with delayed or cancelled flights this Christmas holiday season. Yet, just making a phone call, you are there and connect with one hello!
In the time of reaching out to others on the east coast, I was reminded how much different the weather has been back there. Of connecting that day after Christmas, my sister reminded me that they had once again been in the 80's............not the 1980's but in the temperatures we think of as in the summertime around here. She told me how they had to run their air conditioning once again. And here we were seeing ice and sleet fall like ribbons on Christmas Day evening on our way back from a "country" Christmas. No, there was no John Denver tunes, but I should ask my daughter about that one. But we did hear Rockin' around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee. Yes, we were in the country hearing country type music and was certain joy to my heart.
But back to the east coast and the high heat warnings, that was something I was surprised to hear about that day after Christmas. Also, THEY ARE KNEE DEEP in water that will not evaporate...........it just stands there, and it rains another 5 inches to add to the existing rain already beginning to stagnate on the ground. No, not a good thing at this point, and my sister was concerned if more rain came in before this extra moisture was gone.

Evaporation! I thought in all this time, that all you needed was some heat to evaporate the extra water on the ground, but she said they need the sunshine (like direct sun shining), and they only get really cloudy skies each day.

So I think about this scripture:

Exodus 16:13-21

13 So it was that quails came up at evening and covered the camp, and in the morning the dew lay all around the camp. 14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, "What is it?" For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, "This is the bread which the LORD has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which the LORD has commanded: 'Let every man gather it according to each one's need, one omer for each person, according to the number of persons; let every man take for those who are in his tent.' " 17 And the children of Israel did so and gathered, some more, some less. 18 So when they measured it by omers, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. Every man had gathered according to each one's need. 19 And Moses said, "Let no one leave any of it till morning." 20 Notwithstanding they did not heed Moses. But some of them left part of it until morning, and it bred worms and stank. And Moses was angry with them. 21 So they gathered it every morning, every man according to his need. And when the sun became hot, it melted. 

NKJV

This is one of my favorites in that God fed them from that dew that fell overnight. Like a frost on the ground, the small round substance was something to eat. It was like bread.......and one was to gather to those living in each household but no more. They gathered according to their need. They had to eat it when it was available to eat and if not eaten........every bite........then any part of it was rotten......spoiled.........not good to eat and then it would breed worms.

Yes, evaporation........!

Let's look at the word condensation........

a process whereby a gas or a vapor becomes a liquid. Condensation is that which appears on the inside of the window in the winter time.........like when boiling a liquid on the stove and the condensation appears. Like today, I can see water droplets or those beads of water appear on the glass window. It has occurred because of the humid air reaching the cold surface of the window.

But what about too much water...........that accumulates..........standing water with no place to go or how about water that dries up and remains dry.......to produce the results of a"drought"?

In our walk with the Lord, we too, can suffer from evaporation. When we begin to think our walk is A-okay! When we miss some services because it is the "holiday" time and you know I read that scripture or studied that before! Or, I do not need to go, as I am really busy and I have ministry tomorrow.........and wow, that is a lot to ask of me right now!

Evaporation!

As my sister spoke of the accumulation of rain water from the last few weeks, it was evident that it was not draining well. And I had always thought they might have an under ground spring running rather parallel to their property in the country. So the whole 5+ acres has water. She laughingly referred to the "sinking" and I told her to watch for those bubbles coming up to the surface. Yes, she laughed but I have continued to think on that for it can affect people who walk with the Lord.

If we become to lax in our daily lives, and can blow a dozen or so services every six months, then what does they say about us?

When we think about any "selfishness" and we are talking about the one who just chooses to skip the service, skip that time together for all leaders. In that act of being selfish is the basis of all immorality.  In thinking of our salvation and all that came through  Jesus was by no selfish act. He was bent on that outgoing love.

When we see that big puddle of water on the roadway, and see it become smaller everyday, it is either because there are many vehicles driving through it or there is a bright sun shining overhead. In that direct heat of light, that water evaporates. As the breeze starts to blow over that puddle, that which was wet is now becoming something else entirely.

Back in the late 1960's we took a trip to Disneyland. In all that work and effort to make an amusement park, we had a really good workable schedule of planning where and when we would have our meals. Of course, our one morning was in the midst of Phoenix, Arizona and on that early morning light, we drove to the nearby Denny's for breakfast. In our delight, we saw the one cook outside, breaking eggs onto that hot sidewalk, and we watched them cook those eggs. No was not interested in eating them from the sidewalk, but I had seen what the temp over 110 degrees plus a hot sidewalk with asphalt all around caused a high heat of nearly 126 degrees in that morning light could do to an egg on a hot sidewalk. Yes, it was fry city!

If we do not replenish in that liquid and refuel with the word of God that brings wisdom to us, then how can we make it to the end of this "run"? 

Job 14:1-13

14:1 "How frail is man, how few his days, how full of trouble! 2 He blossoms for a moment like a flower-and withers; as the shadow of a passing cloud, he quickly disappears. 3 Must you be so harsh with frail men and demand an accounting from them? 4 How can you demand purity in one born impure? 5 You have set mankind so brief a span of life-months is all you give him! Not one bit longer may he live. 6 So give him a little rest, won't you? Turn away your angry gaze and let him have a few moments of relief before he dies. 

7 "For there is hope for a tree-if it's cut down, it sprouts again and grows tender, new branches. 8 Though its roots have grown old in the earth, and its stump decays, it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling. 10 But when a man dies and is buried, where does his spirit go? 11 As water evaporates from a lake, as a river disappears in drought, so a man lies down for the last time and does not rise again until the heavens are no more; he shall not awaken, nor be roused from his sleep. 13 Oh, that you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger ends; but mark your calendar to think of me again! 

TLB

When we die, then we die. There is no last minute fitting several decades of life into a few minutes. Even in my age, I think of who can do several things and still keep going, yet it is to be in God's plan and not my own plan. As I read over what is given here in Job, I think of that water evaporating from a lake and how the river disappears in drought. That when man lies down to rise no more, he will mingle with that which is of the ground, that which is of no life.

Our time is now. It is a moment in which we can as individuals and as team members make a difference for the kingdom of God. It is not in the "sweet by and by" ....it is in the "here and NOW"!

With evaporation, we see.........dehydration! Without the supply of water, we see a firm ground, but may be in drought. It could have the appearance of cracks, and disappearance of what may be around the land area that is dry in drought. There may be no plants, no trees, no life of any kind sustained for any amount of time. With the disappearance of water, one will see the exodus of wildlife from that region. Yes, all life from before would just fade away!

In my recent health issues, one thing kept popping up.........and the questions by the doctors was this: "are you staying hydrated?"

Yes, drinking 6-8 big glasses of water a day.........but on the flip of that......is " are your cells absorbing the water that is available to them?" 

So two things: yes I had water but the opposite was the cells were not doing their thing in the right way for health for me.

In that state, one can become depressed, run a fever, and all for lack of NOT absorbing the needed water given through the mouth and to be used all the way down to the cellular level. We can be flushed, irritable, tired and fatigued, well,...........you get the idea here.

We should watch over our bodies and drink plenty of water daily, but we also must put the water of God's Word into our bodies. We must fill up and fill up and then spend time in corporate worship with those who are like minded in the things of God. 

John 15:13-17

 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

NKJV

John 16:12-15

 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. 

NKJV

Father, thank You for Jesus. We are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household. We are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become the holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Father, we have been appointed to go and bear fruit and that our fruit should remain, that whatever we ask You in Jesus' name may be given us. And we are commanded to love one another.

Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who is active and operating in our lives today. We give thanks that we can hear Him speak and declare to us the things that are ours. And we are thankful we hear today and are lead in that pathway that is even ...without .......pits.

We understand that from Proverbs 28:9 ...that he who turns away his ear from hearing the law [ of God and man], even his prayer is an abomination, hateful and revolting [to God]. If we regard iniquity in our heart, the Lord will not hear us. For we understand that according to Proverbs 15:9-10...that the way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but he loves him who pursues righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation.) And that there is severe discipline for him who forsakes God's way; and he who hates reproof will die [physically, morally, and spiritually].

Father, we desire not to end up in that "hot spot" like an egg on an overheated sidewalk........fry out all the liquid in seconds and be done for good.........when just filling up with Your life and wisdom will take us where we need to go in Your safety, peace, and love. Our desire is to please You and walk in the way that will bring glory to Your name. We pray to be those who will not stop because it is a "holiday", but keep going in the way of righteousness that is life and health. Father, in Jesus' name we desire to not be wise in our own eyes; we fear the LORD and depart from evil. It is health to our flesh and strength to our bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may know HIM better. That our eyes of our heart be enlightened in order to know the hope to which He has called us. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at (http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV)

And I Will Give You Rest...........

I love the book of Ruth and I try to visit those passages often. In tragedy, the death of a loved one, famine, trouble, pain and heart-ache.........God is in the midst.........and causes the game changer. Please read on and be encouraged. For when trouble arises, and heart-ache seems paramount, it is who we are, and that which we believe in that situation that will cause us to rise out of famine, out of defeat, out of brokenness and see the truth in a new way that carries us ultimately into the promises of God and His plan!


Ruth 1:1-22.............1:1 Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion--Ephrathites of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there. 3 Then Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.
6 Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had visited His people by giving them bread. 7 Therefore she went out from the place where she was, and her two daughters-in-law with her; and they went on the way to return to the land of Judah. 8 And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each to her mother's house. The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband." Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept. 10 And they said to her, "Surely we will return with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters; why will you go with me? Are there still sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands? 12 Turn back, my daughters, go--for I am too old to have a husband. If I should say I have hope, if I should have a husband tonight and should also bear sons, 13 would you wait for them till they were grown? Would you restrain yourselves from having husbands? No, my daughters; for it grieves me very much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!" 14 Then they lifted up their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.
15 And she said, "Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16 But Ruth said:
"Entreat me not to leave you,Or to turn back from following after you;For wherever you go, I will go;And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."
18 When she saw that she was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.
19 Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, "Is this Naomi?" 20 But she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?"
22 So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.  NKJV

It is interesting to note that when Naomi named her sons, Chilion means: failing or annihilation, derived from the verb (kala) meaning come to an end. and Mahlon means: weak, sick, wounded. Why would a mother give her sons those names? What was a part of Naomi's heart that would regard her sons in this manner?
Can you imagine Naomi calling her son's to dinner? " Failing, annihilation, weak, sick and wounded, time to eat"! For every time she called them, she was calling them to failure, utter annihilation, to sickness, weakness and being wounded. Can you see a pattern here? You certainly would not live long for sure!


Now we know that her husband moved the family to Moab when there remained a drought in Israel. There in Moab, after some time, he dies and then the two sons die as well. It was probably about ten years after the father's death that the sons died. Why did they choose Moab to live after being in Bethlehem for such a long time?  Many commentaries on it said that those areas of Judah still probably offered the high places to worship the "foreign god's " .  It is interesting that coming out of the book of Judges and seeing that is what the book is about and how it was handled by some leaders in some of those places, those high places evidently remained in some areas of Judah.  So it is likely with those high places set for worship to those "foreign god's" still had some footing in a nation of this family, they would certainly not be put off by worshiping the foreign god's they had  seen in their own country as well and could possibly had embraced it!

My thought was, how did Naomi respond each time of the passing of the "loved one"? To be taken to a foreign country who had their own "gods" and to be left behind because of death seems brutal to me.  She had no one around her to help her through the loss of a loved one. Now, alone in a place that is far from home and far from the God of Israel makes me think of the "Prodigal Son".

When tragedy comes, the most likely thoughts at the beginning is, "why did I come here?", "why did we move, when we could be enjoying our retirement right now", or "what could I have done differently"?

Do you think Naomi wanted to be " rescued" ?  Did she have a hopelessness in her situation?  It is interesting to me that she,Naomi, said, "  The LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9 The LORD grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband."

What kind of life these two women must have had with Naomi's son's that she is asking the LORD to deal kindly with them as they had with her?  She also asked for them to find rest in the house of their "new" husbands! They evidently stayed to see the "dead" taken care of as of the recommended duty of the day! But she mentions the word of " rest" to them as well. I know when I see someone overworked, harassed, bullied, weary,  tired in life from just like the day to day drudgery, whether work or elsewhere, I always think the person needs to rest.  And our rest is always in the Lord!

In this scripture............Matthew 11:28-30.......28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
NIV

One thing was certain, she, Naomi, now heard that bread was found in Israel, and she wanted to return to the familiar of family and friends. Maybe she needed to get back to the synagogue and worship! In her actions toward Orpah and Ruth, Naomi appeared to have a desire for them to stay a family, but in the scheme of things, the pathway was darkened because Naomi had no other sons and Naomi herself was up in age and could not give another son to them to marry.

I think, too, that in the greatest pain of loss, she saw no hope for the two young women and probably had no earnest desire to see them marry again. Although she saw that they could not continue with her, she was now leading them back to their home and their "god's"............sad, but true!

Did Naomi miss sleep night after night? Did her heart-ache weigh her down in such a way that the cares of this and all the worry for Orpah and Ruth cause her to weaken under the vigilant watch for and over the two young women? She saw her sons die early deaths and no likely hood of grand-children.
In all this, Naomi decided that the "best for the two" would be for them to return to their people and their "gods" of Moab.

My belief too is that Naomi, wanted to face the "music" you might say alone.........they left in famine to find greener fields somewhere else..............for they as a family, they left their homeland to get to a place of no famine and ended up staying longer than they needed to stay.  In the end of "doing our things, our way" can certainly send us severely into a place of famine, lack and loneliness as we see with Naomi!

Ruth 1:16 .............But Ruth said:
"Entreat me not to leave you,Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."

Strong words from a young woman.  Yes, she put a curse on herself! Ruth had more than just a passing affection or attachment with Naomi, her mother-in-law. She had a heart attitude that caused her with much determination to press in and rely on the God of Israel and His ways of doing by His statues. Surely Ruth had seen something of it time and again in the day to day actions of Naomi.
Ruth had to have seen something in the relationship Naomi had with her God and she wanted to participate in it as well!

So Naomi relents, and Ruth goes with her back to Israel! In verse 19-22....we see the women population most likely excited about Naomi's return. Yes, Naomi had returned, but she felt she came home empty, the widow without support, and the bitter without hope. Naomi certainly believes she has drunk from the cup of bitterness and loss in her being abandoned through death of her husband and sons. Now a woman up in age, and most likely gray coloring in the hair, she returns to the familiar.

Certainly God knew her anguish. He knew her anger, her complaints, and yes disappointments. He, too, was aware of her human frailties. (Psalm 103:14) And He saw her discouragement because of her age.
When we choose to step out and away from God, the outcome is surely bleak!

 I believe she had the wisdom of God to make the needed decision to get back where they started from and have "some bread".  I believe she remembered some of the past times of going to the sanctuary and worshiping God! In truth, Ruth, became the child who walked as a disciple of the Lord and obedient to His plan. I, too, believe that as Ruth heard of the God of Israel by Naomi, she was compelled by the Holy Spirit to follow after truth and walk in His ways that gives to Ruth and others like her safety and ease. It was Ruth who stood her ground to say,  "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge;Your people shall be my people,And your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die,And there will I be buried.The LORD do so to me, and more also,If anything but death parts you and me."

When Naomi chose to line up with God again, the game-changer was on the scene!
In the following chapters of Ruth we find the ultimate heritage only God can give.
They, Naomi and Ruth, came at harvest time! They came and God provided an avenue to bless them both. He blessed Naomi with wisdom by the Holy Spirit to speak truth and direct Ruth to the one field and to the one particular relative. Ruth was blessed by gaining a family and a godly heritage. Whatever  the circumstances, God never changes, He is always on the scene and will turn things for His glory. For whatever the suffering: we should seek to and plan to respond in a godly and faith-filled way. Even in drought, death, trouble, affliction, and heart-ache, God can change things when we turn our eyes from the circumstances and look to the giver of LIFE!

Ruth 4:13-17...............13 So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the LORD enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son. 14 The women said to Naomi: "Praise be to the LORD, who this day has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer. May he become famous throughout Israel! 15 He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. For your daughter-in-law, who loves you and who is better to you than seven sons, has given him birth."     16 Then Naomi took the child, laid him in her lap and cared for him. 17 The women living there said, "Naomi has a son." And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.   NIV

God answered and Naomi has a son!
Father, You know our weakness. You know our coming out and going in and in all this, our complaints, disappointments and pain are heard.  This life journey Father takes turns we do not see coming. Things come and change our lives from what we think is peace, but in reality is change by encountering stress, hassles, a drudgery of daily life and yes, more work. It sometimes feels like a roller-coaster ride, and YOU know I truly dislike those rides.
In Jesus' name we pray and believe that, we see that it is You who determines our steps according to Proverbs 16:9. Help us to see when we are just being selfish , following our own ways that can lead to bad results. For what may seem good to us can be all wrong at this time of life. We invite You into our planning and whatever is not in line with Your Word may it be null and void. Jesus is our Hope. He is Anchor for our soul! Whatever life brings, may we be triumphant like Naomi to walk in truth and stay with truth. May we see the life in Jesus and what He gives to broken lives and heart-aches. I pray we operate in the wisdom of God that You give liberally to us when we ask. (James 1:5) Father, we may have some grey coloring on the top of our heads, but that in no way deters us from our following You. We choose not to find the lazy chair of comfort zone mentality but choose to be ever-pursuing You in holiness and righteousness. Like the lives of Naomi and Ruth, YOU our God showed Your hand mightily and today I pray that for all who read and receive this message from the God of more than enough that lives of heart-ache and pain be healed. Father, today may men and women be brought out of the pain of loss, death, brokenness and pain and deliver them to peace, joy and healing!
I thank You for those who by faith, who have stood the test, and had patience to endure will be lacking nothing. Today You are their strength. Father, it is Your grace that is sufficient and we expect to dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings and in quiet resting places. We treasure You and thank You for answering us in time of trouble. Now thanks be to God Who always causes us to triumph in Christ! Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV