Silencing the Voice of the Rabshakeh

It has been way too long since I have sat down to write.  I must admit I have missed this.  For a season now I have felt a need to unplug and disconnect from the blog world.  Many changed have taken place in our family and my priorities needed some fine tuning.  As you know by know I am expecting a baby to arrive the end of June.  This of course is a HUGE answer to prayer considering all that has taken place in my life over the last two years.

Today I am celebrating my two year anniversary of victory over cancer!

I have felt like a chapter in my life had been completed and it was time to move on from writing on this blog.  But over the last 5 months the Lord has begun to stir in me and prompt me to return to writing.  You could say I feel compelled.  It is a calling.  One cannot and should not ignore a calling.  Especially if it truly is the Lord's calling. For a long time now I struggled with wanting to write more.  But what would I say?  Did I really have anything worthy of reading that would bring hope and encouragement.  So far the longest time I silenced the voice in my head.  Later I would say.  I have prayed that the Lord would give me words to write.  It hasn't come till now.  Just in this last week I have begun to put some of the pieces together that He has been building for me. So now the task at hand is to pick up the pieces and build a story out of them.  God doesn't waste anything.  He uses it all for His glory.  For too long I have quenched the Spirit. 

So you are probably wondering who the voice of the Rabshakeh is.  Good question.  The Rabshakeh can be found on the pages of the OT in 2 Kings Chapters 18 & 19.  The Rabshakeh is the mouthpiece or orator for the king of Assyria Sennachrib. King Hezekiah of Judah (southern kingdom) has found himself with no options other than to pay tribute money to the King of Assyria.  The northern kingdom has all ready been taken away captive.  The temple and kingdom have been stripped of all riches. Sennachrib does not come in person but sends a delegation to speak to the people and king Hezekiah.  It is in this exchange of words that the Rabshakeh insults the name of the Lord and questions the authority, power and ability of God to save his people.  He stands above the people speaking in Hebrew so they would all understand the message, don't trust the King, he won't save you.  You should make peace with Assyria and become our subjects.  It's the words of the Rabshakeh that derail. Like the Enemy, the Deceiver, the Thief who comes to steal kill and destroy.  The voices splinter and cut away at the promises of who my God is.  It twist's the truth and causes me to doubt the very character of God.  This is a dangerous place.  Thankfully, Hezekiah had given the people instruction to not respond and hold their peace.  If I could only hold my tongue. 

"Set a guard over my mouth Oh Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3

Hezekiah chose to seek God for direction. Is this where I go for direction?  Is this my first choice?  Do I go to the very throne room of God in prayer and not the phone?  In order to silence the voice of fear I must hear from God.  I can't do that with out it costing me something.  My unbelief is wrapped up in my lack of faith.  My faith is wrapped up in my commitment level to seek Him with all my heart, mind and soul. I must silence the thief of unbelief.

"Without faith it is impossible to please God'" Hebrews 11:6

These voices come is all sorts of packages.  It may be difficult to recognize them with out spirtual eyes.  This is why the Word is so clear in telling us to keep being filled of the Spirit.  It may mean that some good things that come our way really aren't what the Lord whould have us be about.  It means that some good things in the worlds eyes may not be good for me right now.

"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful;  all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify." 1 Corinthians 10:23

Our family has been through some stormy seasons.  We have trusted in our faith to pull us through. Prayer has been the lifeline and anchor in the storm. When the circumstances surrounding you seem to overwhelm and all that can be seen is the storm itself where do you turn?  Do I listen to the voices?  Like the voice of the Rabshakeh who questions and insults the very name of God? Do I let those threats steal my joy and strength?  Do I believe the promises of God over my circumstances?

It's in the example of Hezekiah's response to a letter sent from the King of Assyria that we find some answers.  Hezekiah takes the letter and spreads it before the Lord.  He then remembers who God is, His very character, the things He has done.  His prayer is actually very simple. 

"O LORD our God, I pray save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone." 2 Kings 19:19

Do I remember to take my circumstances and spread them before the Lord?  Do I lay them out before Him in prayer and make know my requests?  The only way to quench to voice of the Rabshakeh is to lift my voice against him to the Lord.  It is in this place that the enemy must flee. The Assyrians did not know defeat was on it's way.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12

In the end one angel destroys 185,000 Assyrians.  God overcomes.  We are more than conquerers.

"Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen." Ephesians 3:20

I have more to write.  The voice has been silenced.

If you want to hear more about King Sennacrib and the Rabshakeh you can download podcast sermons from Calvary Chapel Buhl of Pastor Jackie Roberts.  I highly recommend it, time well invested!

The Miracle Child

The miracle we celebrate at Christmas never loses its wonder.  To think of the ultimate plan for all mankind to come as a baby and save the world, amazing!  Only God could think of something so great and awesome.  But that is God, always doing things far beyond what human minds can think, dream or comprehend.

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?" Romans 11:33-34 NKJV

During this season we pause to reflect on the wonder of the miracle child we call Jesus. Conceived by the Virgin Mary and pledged to be married to Joseph.  We don’t know much about Mary and Joseph’s background. Yet we can conclude they both loved God with all their hearts and desired to serve Him. My own heart is drawn to Mary’s dilemma: pregnant, unwed and faced with bringing the Son of God, the Savior of all mankind into the world.  Not knowing if Joseph would accuse her of wrong doing and possibly be stoned to death.  He could even leave her before they were together. Yet Mary pondered all these things in her heart.  (See Luke 2:19) She learned the holy discipline of pondering the deep things of God.  Mary understood what it meant to treasure the very words and promises from an Angel.  This season may we never forget the Word who became flesh in the form of a baby just for us.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:7

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:21

"For with God nothing will be impossible." Luke 1:37

Let us ponder and treasure the miracle of Christmas – Christ himself – Christ alone!  There is no better gift!  We look forward to what God has in store for our family in 2013.  An additional treasure will be joining our family come June.  We are expecting a baby! What a treasure and what a gift!  God is so good! Wishing you a blessed 2013!

Day 27 Rest

Every now and then it is important to take a real Sabbath rest.  By that I mean to literally get away from everyone and everything.  Yes go for a drive.  Go for a long walk.  If you can go for an over nite trip.  It is important to get away from the pressures of the daily grind.  This enables your mind and body to be more in tune to the Spirit speaking.  You are then able to hear Him more clearly and be more productive.

"But the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you." Exodus 20:10

"You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but on the seventh day you must stop working. This gives your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It also allows your slaves and the foreigners living among you to be refreshed." Exodus 23:12

Day 26 A Story to Tell

The Woman at the Well

Questions about John Chapter 4
1.    Why did Jesus go to Samaria?
2.    What time of day was it?
3.    What do you picture at the well?
4.    What do we know about the Samaritans’?
5.     Why would a woman go to the well in the heat of the day?
6.    What does Jesus ask her for?
·     Will you give me a drink vs. 7
·        He breaks the cultural norm
·        Jesus declares who He is
7.     What truth was spoken in love that confronted the woman?
·        Go and call your husband
·        Jesus goes on to offer her salvation – explains the living water – gift of eternal water.
8.     Who does Jesus declare himself to be? Vs 26
9.    How does this conversation come to an end?
·        The disciples return from buying food.
10.                        When the women leaves what does she go and say?
11.  Many people in the Samaratin town believed in Jesus. Why?
·        The woman’s testimony – OUR VERY WORDS carry weight – the Gospel
·        Roman’s 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
Her story was powerful!
Your story is powerful!

Tonight I will be sharing my story.  Would you mind covering me with your prayers?  I appreciate the opportunity to share - declaring His goodness in my life.  I am humbled, honored and  moved with conviction to speak passionately about the radical change Jesus has made in my life.  I am unashamed. Glory to Him alone.

Speaking at Calvary Chapel Buhl Women's retreat in Chalis, Idaho.

Day 25 A Season of Harvest

Yesterday was combine day.  The grain was ready to thrash.  It was a huge answer to prayer.  We have been in a bit of a pickle.  This is just one piece of the puzzle that needed to fall into place.  It's going to snow. The cows are stuck in the coral.  The fences are torn down to the pasture.  The new coral is still being built.  The fences are still being built.  Soon the cows will move to the new corral and then out into the pasture and onto the corn stalks.  It is a season filled with constant change.  It is harvest time. Now the corn is gone.  The golden kernels filled the hopper of the combine and emptied out the spout into the grain cart.  It was simply fascinating to watch.  Dustin and I rode in the combine.  Watching the green nose ride perpendicular to the sod.  Carefully picking up corn stalks as it moved down each row.  The process from here to now has taken a long time.  A lot of sweat, back breaking corrugate row digging, hand weed pulling and countless prayers to heaven.  It is finished. I will get the yields later today. 

For a crop to yield a good harvest the soil must be prepared.  This process of soil preparation in order to plant takes much more than I thought was necessary.  The ground needs to be tilled, disced and often plowed.  We often check soil samples to ensure what fertilizers needs to be applied.  Sometimes we are blessed with compost or manure.  The ground is ready for seed.  Then it is roller harrowed down. Now it is corrugated.  Then the watering begins.  Now we watch for bugs, weeds and growth.  Soon it is time to cultivate.  In due time the stalks grow tall and tassel.  The ears form and kernels develop.  The weather turns cold and dry and the corn plant dries up.  Finally it is harvest.

I am reminded of seasons in my faith journey when it seems like their is just no fruit.  No harvest.  It takes time.  The farmer has faith and patience.  Sometimes the best work is done in secret.  Naked to the human eye.  I have discovered this spiritual truth: God is able to do His best work in the compost of my life. 

That means the hard stuff that I don't really want to face.  The ugly stuff.  It's during this time when the seed gets buried in the ground and we wait.  Hoping that it will germinate and turn into a corn plant.  How can something so small get so big and transform into something that produces a hundred times what was planted?  This my friends is kingdom multiplication.  Jesus changes lives.  He makes something grow out of the dirt and makes it beautiful.  Harvesting fruit takes time and patience, even when dealing with souls.

"Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See [how] the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain." James 5:17

It is worth the wait.  I must stay focused at the work to be done.  Don't grow weary.  Keep doing good. 

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it]." Malachi 3:10

The windows have opened and the blessing pours down.  Our barns our full.  The harvest is complete.

Day 24 Home Sweet Home

A place to nest.

Where your heart is.

A safe place.

Home sweet home.

Home is a place I can call my own.  It's where my family is.  I spend much of my time here. Cleaning mostly.  Trying to keep the clutter at bay and somewhat under control.  I enjoy being in the kitchen making food for the family God gave me.  I love to try new recipes.  I enjoy making them, not sure if they enjoy eating all I try to make.  The sound of clothes tumbling in the dryer fills the house.  I often light an apple scented candle (it's my favorite) as I make my to-do list for the day,  The dogs curl up on their dog beds, close to the warmth of a crackling fire.  There are stacks of mail piled on my office desk and laundry in need of folding on my bedroom floor.  Tractor toys line the great room wall, ready to plow, plant and harvest.

 We have the typical morning banters of Moms versus Children.  Where are my shoes?  Brush your teeth! The yellow school bus arrives in the dark. After my chores of feeding dogs, watering chickens and feeding the horse I return inside.  Then the quiet fills the house. At my house I like to sit in the brown leather recliner.  I read and journal with Abba in the mornings.  I sip my tea and crack the blinds a bit to catch the morning glory arise.  The sunrise over the farm land reminds me this is home.  Where our family works, lives and plays.  It is our livelihood. It hasn't always been this way.  I didn't grow up with cows in the pasture or corn in my backyard.  No my home was in a suburban neighborhood with sidewalks and cold-a-sacks. Now my house is the only one on the south side of the road consisting of a mile long.  Everyone here is my neighbor.  I used to drive down the street, now it is called a road and their are no sidewalks, just ditches. 

I wonder sometimes how I have adapted to my life here in the country.  Home is where your heart is.  This is where I was made to be.  I always wanted to live in an open space, maybe the mountains or rolling hills.  I wanted horses.  I had some romantic idea of a blissful life in the country.  Boy was I wrong!  It's hard work being a farmer/rancher.  I blame this ideology on classic TV shows like Little House on the Prairie and Anne of Green Gables.  Truth be told this life isn't really anything like the TV shows.  But it is my home now.  I embrace it now and sense a deep fulfillment in my soul of being here.  Partnering with my husband as first generation farmers.  In a sense it is a bit romantic and adventurous.  We have made many mistakes, but we have learned together.  This journey we embarked upon to create a life for our family has given us great blessings.  We truly are living out our calling in the land of the living.  This is our home sweet home.

Day 23 Sharing My Faith Story

I'm just doing what Jesus told me to do.  Like the disciples untying  a donkey.  It doesn't make sense but this is what God said to do.  Many people ask, what are you doing? I'm just following instructions and being obedient to what Christ asked me to do.

I can't share about this past year without talking about my personal relationship with Christ.  I don't know why God choose me to get cancer. I do know that it has deepened my faith and my relationships to those I am closest to.

Psalm 73:28  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge and I will tell of all His works.

I vowed at the beginning of this journey to not waste my cancer. So it would not be right for me to take this opportunity to give you an opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation.  So that you too can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  God's love is so big, so crazy, so consuming.  He desires a relationship with you.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:3  I tell you the truth no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.

John 14:6  I am the way the truth and the life. No noe comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 10:9-11  That is if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Revelation 3:20  Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.

Pray with me:
Admit
Believe
Confess

Please let me know if you prayed this for the first time!