He Goes Before Me

I've been studying the plight of Israel out of Egypt in Exodus recently. If you don't know the story, check out Exodus chapters 13-15. Here are a few observations that I'm making: God's attributes are displayed through His miracles. God's glory is something not to be taken lightly. The plagues in Israel where to display his mighty power, but the parting of the Red Sea would display his Glory. Imagine seeing an army coming toward you, and then seeing the Red Sea part with dry land to cross. Now if this isn't enough to boggle the mind, a pillar of cloud is what you follow on your journey to the promised land, aka Canaan. This cloud separates you from the Egyptian army and even fights for you. I just love the plot twist when a pillar of fire (who happens to be an ANGEL of GOD!!) panics the Egyptian army and even clogs up the wheels on their chariots. I am also amazed every time I read the scripture in Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you only have to be silent."
I say to myself. Silent? You want me to be silent? Now some people are inclined to fight and others to flight in confrontation. I'm a person who tends to fight. What a peace to know that HE will fight for me! He does. I can find courage knowing that the Lord is going before me. He will go before you too! This is where belief comes in.
God's faithfulness is displayed in His promises that He keeps. We see how he promised to smite the Egyptians with plagues, and he did. He promises to deliver them, and he did. He promised to go before them, and He did. I can keep going here, but I think you get the picture. So do you believe God? Because He promises to LEAD the way. We get to trust that in His leading.
In Ephesians 2:8, the Bible says, "For by grace are you saved through faith, it is not of your own doing, it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Oh, the comfort I find that I don't have to be good enough, or have enough strength or even check off enough boxes to be saved by my Lord. He goes before me. He has fought that battle. Jesus did the work for me. He paid that debt that I owe in my sinful state. Thank you for going before me.
So how are you taking the reigns today? Are you ready to Trust that the Lord will go before you in your trials? Lord help me to trust you. You go before me!

Got Peace?

This morning, I played a few stories on an audio CD for my young children as we were getting things in order for home school.
The CD played cute little poems and stories that were teaching a concept or moral.
I started to chuckle as I remembered a few years back that some of my kids were listening to this same CD while they were going to bed at night. I came in to check on them, & they were both terrified asking to turn off the stories.
Upon further inspection, I found out that one of the poems had a line saying, "and then she came to eat the children!"
Now, if you are anything like me, when it's time for bed, my mind can start thinking about all the things. My "to do" list starts to grow, & my imagination becomes vivid as I process my day. Relate?
Well, I checked the CD, and quickly realized that the kids were hearing something that wasn't really being said. There was no line that said that the children would be eaten, it's just what they thought they heard.
This reminds me of how many times my inner dialogue is not truth. The enemy wants to kill, steal & destroy. This can happen even in our thought life.
So how do we keep our peace? How can we fight the spiritual battle to keep our hearts & minds on Christ?
It starts with a relationship with God. Then, read your Bible & pray. God will give you understanding of the scriptures through the Holy Spirit. He also gives us the church to edify each other.
Once we learn what God has for us in His Word, we are able to walk in truth & love. This results in peace!
I don't know about you, but my life is full of challenges, decisions & action. It's easy to get overwhelmed & lost in the fast paced days. I have to continually be reminded of the gospel and how it relates to me!
So a scripture that comes to my mind frequently is Philippians 4:8-9 says, 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
When I turn my heart to a place of gratitude, the Lord keeps my heart and mind healthy, and peaceful. 
What scriptures do you meditate on to keep a peaceful, clear heart and mind?