I Spy, You Spy, We All Spy...God Had Spies
There are many action movies about spies. Facebook is spying on what friends and family are doing around the world on a daily basis. I know women who were dating and their boyfriend cancelled a date and then they saw they went out with someone else when they read their posting on Facebook.
When I was a little girl, we had a “lover’s lane” dirt road next to our house where teens used to park to "make out" and I used to get out my binoculars to see if I could see anything that was going on. If there was a lot of commotion going on at the neighbor’s house next door I would get out my binoculars to see what was going on too. I grew up next to an airport and one time a plane crashed in a field next door and everyone in my neighborhood went to the field to see the fire trucks and what happened. My neighbor boy used to spy on my friends and I when I had slumber parties at my house and scared the "living begeebees" out of us when we saw his head peaking in the window!
Most kids have a nature of wanting to spy on others. Maybe it's little brother wanting to know what big brother is doing. Eliab, David’s oldest brother, accused David in the Bible of spying on them when they were at the battle with the Philistines.
When Eliab, David's oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, "Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle." 1 Samuel 17:28
Goliath wanted the Israelites to send out their best, and their best happened to be Saul. Saul was king and he was a tall man in stature. David was a youth at the time and David was not tall. David was a giant inside because he trusted in God. When we trust in God we are a giant inside, not because of ourselves, but because of God. When God is inside of you He is greater than anything that can come against you!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
The Israelites sent out spies who went into Jericho and the land of Canaan. Unfortunately, some of those spies brought back an evil report that discouraged the people. Only Caleb and Joshua had faith to take the land. The spies had problems in that they saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the people in the land they were spying. Maybe it was a self confidence problem or not seeing that God was the one going to fight their battles.
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
The Israelites sent out spies who went into Jericho and the land of Canaan. Unfortunately, some of those spies brought back an evil report that discouraged the people. Only Caleb and Joshua had faith to take the land. The spies had problems in that they saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the people in the land they were spying. Maybe it was a self confidence problem or not seeing that God was the one going to fight their battles.
We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." Numbers 13:33
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." Numbers 13:30
We have the same choice now as far as live in fear and defeat or decide in life we are going to go in and take the land as far as our dreams are in life. As Christians, we have the first fruit of heaven which is God’s Holy Spirit and as far as spying out what God has for us in the future, I’m looking forward to God’s goodness not only in the next chapter of my life here on earth, but in the afterlife. Life is like a book and I’m creating new chapters in that book every year. When one chapter ends in my life, another chapter begins. Every day I thank God for his favor in my life.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11
If there are dead branches in my life that need to be cut off that don’t bring positive results in my life than I cut those off and look for the good branches to the tree of my life that is producing good fruit and good results.
He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2
Cutting off dead branches can be people like those spies who brought an evil report that are negative people, negative thoughts or attitudes, or things in my life that cloud the vision of accomplishing what I need to in life in doing God's will. For us who had a positive relationship and lost a dear loved one such as a child, parent or husband/wife that was a positive fruit in our life that we lost. Even when we lose positive fruit or branches in life there is trusting in God’s goodness in the midst of bad circumstances in life.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls. Still, I will be glad in the Lord, my joy will be in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18
Let’s not be part of the negative report in life, but part of the solution. As Christians, we are the support system to others. Our roots go down deep with Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations happen to everyone. The sun rises on the just and the unjust and it rains on the just and the unjust. When I broke my ankle, the doctor put a cast on my foot to support the broken bone for five weeks. When I was getting an x-ray a woman who had hip problems needed a person to help her walk to the car. The song “Lean on Me” came to my mind. Jesus fell several times carrying his cross. Sometimes crosses in life are too hard to bear on our own so we need help in carrying those crosses. I’ve found some people supportive and others not. The children of Israel were sowing discouragement not faith in the hearts of others.
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls. Still, I will be glad in the Lord, my joy will be in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18
Let’s not be part of the negative report in life, but part of the solution. As Christians, we are the support system to others. Our roots go down deep with Jesus Christ. Trials and tribulations happen to everyone. The sun rises on the just and the unjust and it rains on the just and the unjust. When I broke my ankle, the doctor put a cast on my foot to support the broken bone for five weeks. When I was getting an x-ray a woman who had hip problems needed a person to help her walk to the car. The song “Lean on Me” came to my mind. Jesus fell several times carrying his cross. Sometimes crosses in life are too hard to bear on our own so we need help in carrying those crosses. I’ve found some people supportive and others not. The children of Israel were sowing discouragement not faith in the hearts of others.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
That Kicked My Booty But Now Lean on Me
That Kicked My Booty But Now Lean on Me
The Jets kicked the Colt’s booty by one point. That was not too much of a margin of victory. Nevertheless, it knocked them out of the playoffs and a contender of the Superbowl.
There are some college classes that are harder for some than others. Classes that "kick some student's booty." Visual Basic is a weed out class for students who do not understand computer programming at Indiana University. Other classes that give people problems are Statistics, Anatomy, Chemistry, Calculus, Finite Math, Trigonometry, Foreign Language, and some business classes. My husband had a hard time with Physics, but the professor graded on a curve so although he did not do well on a final test and had 50%, no one else in the class did well so he came out with a B and got his degree in Civil Engineering. Doing well in college depends on what you like, how much effort you put in the class, the teacher and grading on a curve. I discussed college classes that are “common” problem areas. Of course problem areas to some students are not problem areas to all students. Like those hard classes in college, there have been events in my life that try to "kick my booty."
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 1 Cor. 10:13
When I was walking around with an ankle full of pain from being fractured, there were times I had to take a pain reliever to get through bearing that broken ankle. Likewise, God has sent different pain relievers in my life. I also seek God not to be a victim of my circumstances which was a divorce. I sought God for a Christian husband to help me raise my children with a godly father for an example, and I found my husband. He passed away when my last daughter was a senior in high school.
When I was walking around with an ankle full of pain from being fractured, there were times I had to take a pain reliever to get through bearing that broken ankle. Likewise, God has sent different pain relievers in my life. I also seek God not to be a victim of my circumstances which was a divorce. I sought God for a Christian husband to help me raise my children with a godly father for an example, and I found my husband. He passed away when my last daughter was a senior in high school.
I’ve looked death in the face several times in life as far as my parents and sister with cancer and then my husband. I can’t quit living life and retreat to my home because of painful memories. This was the first birthday I had in January after 13 years that I did not miss my mother. I was born on my mother’s birthday so we celebrated it together until she passed away 13 years ago. I have other friends that go through that same experience of grief who lost a relative around their birthday. These are common temptations. Sometimes, I did not celebrate my birthday on that day because of grief, but now I’ve chosen to overcome that depression and celebrate it and I finally did not have the sadness of missing my mother.
When I am at a restaurant, grocery store, or getting my nails manicured many times songs on the radio remind me of my husband and I am tempted with sad thoughts. I know I can choose to replace them with good memories and not meditate on negative things. In life we have choices. We have choices on what we are going to spend our time doing and what we are going to think. If we want to hold on to bitterness of what others have done to us or let circumstances in life make us bitter. I choose life and love. To help others who have gone through loss like me and that they can lean on me like a cast on their foot for support and encouragement.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Duet. 30:19
Jesus not only conquered death for us, but he also conquered hell and he took the keys to hell and death that the first man Adam gave him from Satan. Jesus looked death and hell in the face and he conquered it.
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18
Jesus had to face death and a cross in life and he paid a very high price of his blood for us. When I go get my car washed at Mike's Car Wash if I want the "Works" wash it cost more money for a full Works wash. Jesus did the Works car wash to wash our sins away! He paid the full price! The full price for our salvation and the full price for our healing.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
I’ve found the sweetest victories in my life have been when I faced my fears. I faced the fear of heights and hurting my back and neck when I did a bungy jump of 436 feet in New Zealand, I always wanted to bungy jump. I faced fears in scuba diving and went through check points in learning how to continuously breathe and not panic. I wanted to scuba dive so I could enjoy the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I faced the fear of meeting a stalker when I placed a single's ad in a magazine and instead I met my husband. Over and over in life, to enjoy certain dreams, I've had to overcome my fears. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who were willing to conquer the land out of all the children of Israel. David was the only one who would face Goliath.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
I look for a support system that God gives on earth and usually like Jesus had an inner cricle of three disciples, it's a few friends that are my close circle. It may be one or two people. God said it was not good for man to be alone and God gave Adam a helpmate. It also says two are better than one and that one will put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand to flight. Jesus sent his disciples out by twos.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl. 4:9-10
How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? Duet 32:30
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
I’m thankful for the people that God has brought into my life to help me put ten thousand to flight. God brought my husband into my life for a season and we conquered many enemies. I’m looking forward to continuing conquering more enemies in life. Now I’m learning to conquer grief. The last enemy that will be destroyed in life will be death. This life is compared to the "shadow of death."
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Cor. 15:26
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9:2
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
I had a dream when I was a young Christian that I was walking on an evil road and it was very dark and I was scared. All of a sudden, someone spoke my name "Mary" and I felt warmth and comfort when they spoke my name. When my husband called me on the phone, I had joy when he spoke to me. I listen for the voice of the Lord every day in life, because it's Jesus voice that gives me comfort and joy on the road of life. Through the valley of the shadow of death.
Sometimes God's voice comes to me early in the morning in thoughts in my mind, sometimes a scripture encourages me, sometimes during prayer or listening to the Bible on CD, at church on Sunday or a minister on TV, what a friend says, sometimes nature has comforted me, or a particular movie story has been an inspiration. I'm learning to conquer life -- the valley of the shadow of death through Jesus' comforting voice.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. Psalm 29:3-4
My husband respected that I had been a Christian longer and asked me whenever I heard God's voice in my spirit to let him know because God knows better than the both of us and we wanted to follow God's voice in our lives as a couple.
As Samuel many times I've asked the Lord to speak in my life and that I would have ears to hear his voice:
So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9
Also, there have been times in life, I learned to encourage myself in the Lord as David did when others were not supportive of my dreams which sometimes included my husband and David's men were not supportive to David.
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6
Lean on Me by D.C. Talk
True MC, no slack on the track
Here to tell the people that love's what we lack
In this family we gotta love like Christ
So precise in your life so take this advice
Brother to brother we need to learn to love each other
So lean on me when you're in trouble
I cast my cares on Christ 'cause He cares for me
So when you need a shoulder to cry on, just lean
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til
I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain, we all have sorrows
But, if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Please, swallow your pride
If I have things that you need to borrow
For, no one can fill those of your needs
If you won't let them show
You just call on your brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have some problems that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Make it funky, make it funky
Make it funky, make it funky
Make it funky, make it funky
Cause I'm housin' this joint
Like a brother with an attitude
And comin' straight so you best give me latitude
Leanin' on my boys from the word get go
And bein' there for them cause the Lord said so
Many of us just don't know what to do
Well take it here and now from the boy named true
Don't dog a brother out when he stumbles and falls
Just be there to lean on y'all
Call me, call me, just call me,
Call me, call me, just call me, lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
When I am at a restaurant, grocery store, or getting my nails manicured many times songs on the radio remind me of my husband and I am tempted with sad thoughts. I know I can choose to replace them with good memories and not meditate on negative things. In life we have choices. We have choices on what we are going to spend our time doing and what we are going to think. If we want to hold on to bitterness of what others have done to us or let circumstances in life make us bitter. I choose life and love. To help others who have gone through loss like me and that they can lean on me like a cast on their foot for support and encouragement.
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live. Duet. 30:19
Jesus not only conquered death for us, but he also conquered hell and he took the keys to hell and death that the first man Adam gave him from Satan. Jesus looked death and hell in the face and he conquered it.
I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Revelation 1:18
Jesus had to face death and a cross in life and he paid a very high price of his blood for us. When I go get my car washed at Mike's Car Wash if I want the "Works" wash it cost more money for a full Works wash. Jesus did the Works car wash to wash our sins away! He paid the full price! The full price for our salvation and the full price for our healing.
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
I’ve found the sweetest victories in my life have been when I faced my fears. I faced the fear of heights and hurting my back and neck when I did a bungy jump of 436 feet in New Zealand, I always wanted to bungy jump. I faced fears in scuba diving and went through check points in learning how to continuously breathe and not panic. I wanted to scuba dive so I could enjoy the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. I faced the fear of meeting a stalker when I placed a single's ad in a magazine and instead I met my husband. Over and over in life, to enjoy certain dreams, I've had to overcome my fears. Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who were willing to conquer the land out of all the children of Israel. David was the only one who would face Goliath.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18
I look for a support system that God gives on earth and usually like Jesus had an inner cricle of three disciples, it's a few friends that are my close circle. It may be one or two people. God said it was not good for man to be alone and God gave Adam a helpmate. It also says two are better than one and that one will put a thousand to flight and two ten thousand to flight. Jesus sent his disciples out by twos.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Eccl. 4:9-10
How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? Duet 32:30
Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19
I’m thankful for the people that God has brought into my life to help me put ten thousand to flight. God brought my husband into my life for a season and we conquered many enemies. I’m looking forward to continuing conquering more enemies in life. Now I’m learning to conquer grief. The last enemy that will be destroyed in life will be death. This life is compared to the "shadow of death."
The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Cor. 15:26
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9:2
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
I had a dream when I was a young Christian that I was walking on an evil road and it was very dark and I was scared. All of a sudden, someone spoke my name "Mary" and I felt warmth and comfort when they spoke my name. When my husband called me on the phone, I had joy when he spoke to me. I listen for the voice of the Lord every day in life, because it's Jesus voice that gives me comfort and joy on the road of life. Through the valley of the shadow of death.
Sometimes God's voice comes to me early in the morning in thoughts in my mind, sometimes a scripture encourages me, sometimes during prayer or listening to the Bible on CD, at church on Sunday or a minister on TV, what a friend says, sometimes nature has comforted me, or a particular movie story has been an inspiration. I'm learning to conquer life -- the valley of the shadow of death through Jesus' comforting voice.
The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. Psalm 29:3-4
My husband respected that I had been a Christian longer and asked me whenever I heard God's voice in my spirit to let him know because God knows better than the both of us and we wanted to follow God's voice in our lives as a couple.
As Samuel many times I've asked the Lord to speak in my life and that I would have ears to hear his voice:
So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 1 Samuel 3:9
Also, there have been times in life, I learned to encourage myself in the Lord as David did when others were not supportive of my dreams which sometimes included my husband and David's men were not supportive to David.
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:6
Lean on Me by D.C. Talk
True MC, no slack on the track
Here to tell the people that love's what we lack
In this family we gotta love like Christ
So precise in your life so take this advice
Brother to brother we need to learn to love each other
So lean on me when you're in trouble
I cast my cares on Christ 'cause He cares for me
So when you need a shoulder to cry on, just lean
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long 'til
I'm gonna need somebody to lean on
Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain, we all have sorrows
But, if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Please, swallow your pride
If I have things that you need to borrow
For, no one can fill those of your needs
If you won't let them show
You just call on your brother when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have some problems that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Make it funky, make it funky
Make it funky, make it funky
Make it funky, make it funky
Cause I'm housin' this joint
Like a brother with an attitude
And comin' straight so you best give me latitude
Leanin' on my boys from the word get go
And bein' there for them cause the Lord said so
Many of us just don't know what to do
Well take it here and now from the boy named true
Don't dog a brother out when he stumbles and falls
Just be there to lean on y'all
Call me, call me, just call me,
Call me, call me, just call me, lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
Don't you know that I'll be there, you can lean on me
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