Jehova El- My God

 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield[ and the horn[ of my salvation, my stronghold. ~Psalm 18:2

Jehova Eli means my God.  In Psalm 18 we find David praising and worshipping God for his deliverance.  David has a personal relationship with God.  It is intimate.

Just as God was a rock for David, He has been and is my rock.  God is my firm foundation.  I stand on the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is my King, Savior, and friend. My God is a deliver and refuge .  He is my safe space. My peace amongst chaos.  He is my anchor.

I have been walking with Christ for most of my life, but I still desire a more intimate relationship with Him.  I know that this obtain by spending more time with Him.  More time with His word.  It requires me to be still and hand the reigns over to Him.

As my pasture shared one Sunday, when I am still I can become more aware.  I can hear clearly His voice .  He reveals Himself to me.  He makes me aware of His availability.  I can go to Him about any and everything because God cares about the details of my life.  

And when I go to Him I can trust that He will respond.  The Lord hears us when we cry out to Him.  He will respond and assure us of His promises.  He will fulfill them all because He is God.  He does not lie.

My God is the only wise God.  Ruler of everything and I  grateful to know Him.  Grateful that veil has been torn and I have direct access to Him.  Thank You Lord.

Father, may I consistently make time for You.  May I be a doer of Your word.  You have granted me salvation and now May I continue to be sanctified; set a part for Your purpose in the Kingdom. Give me a clean heart and a renewed spirit.  Bless Your people.  In z Jesus name I pray. Amen

Chosen

 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”  John 15:16 (NIV)

I am preparing to go back into the classroom for another year.  I could retire, but God has not released me.  As I read the verse above I have a reinforced perspective about my calling as a teacher.  I did not choose this career, but God chose me for it so that I may do His work.  And the bonus is that He has helped and will help me to do it. 

I have an opportunity to touch many lives for Jesus.  I have the responsibility to bear fruit.  The fruit of grace that comes from knowing my Savior.  The fruit of gentleness and kindness because although I am in charge of my classroom I might be the only discipline with love that  my students see.

I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus as I walk through my school.  That  means less of me and so much more of Him.  I must decrease that He May increase. 

I pray that as I teach content and interact with my peers that others know Jesus. That I fulfill the purpose that He has for me.

Lord, I ask that You bless all the students that are returning to school and bless the teachers and staff.  May You get the glory in the schools.  May Your love abound.  Equip us to do your work.  In Jesus name. Amen

In His hands

 “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:25-26 (NIV)

I received a call yesterday from someone dear to me.  The doctors want to take a closer look at her mammogram results.  She was calm and expecting me to be calm.  As I heard the news, I thought about my sick father-in law, my “sister-in law” who is going through treatment now, my friend who needs a liver transplant, and my co worker who is battling cancer.  Now this.  I was calm and I was encouraged by this fear person because she said what holds the key to peace.  “ I’m leaving it in the Lord’s hands.”

I have written before about this season of life.  It’s hard.  I pray and seek to pray for each person as God will.  I call on my God, the Almighty One and I leave it in His hands.  The outcomes of all these situations and circumstances I do not know, but I do know there is refuge in hope in the Lord.  He is mine their safe haven.  I know He answers prayer.  

I know that He provides a comfort that I never could and He is with His children.  He is good.  Yes, in the midst of what is overwhelming He is a good, good Father.  So I put it into His safe hands and rest.

Lord, You know what each and every person stands in need of.  You are our provider and shield.  You are our strength.  I ask that bless the ones going through trials and tribulations and their families too.  Strengthen us all and let us leave it in Your capable hands.  In Jesus name.  Amen

He is able

 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.~Jude 1:24-25

I haven't written in my blog this week because I really do not know what to say.  What does God want me to reveal?  I have had a lazy week.  The first of summer for me.  I haven't had any obligations so I have become the very definition of a couch potatoe.  Bing watching TV.  And today I feel like I have wasted an opportunity.  An opportunity to do more.

Sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough.  Like I'm not loving the Lord enough. I study His word, but I can't seem to hold on to it.  I pray that it finds good soil because I want to be  a strong woman of faith.  It saddens me, but then I am reminded that my salvation is not based on what I do.  It's not based on my striving, but its based on the work of the Savior.  Jesus who died for me and rose again.  

I believe in Him as I believe in the Father.  His word tells me that He is able to keep me from stumbling.  So I do not have to rely on my own strength, but on He who works in me.  Because of the shed blood of Jesus I am covered  by His righteousness.   I am so grateful.  Words are not enough to thank Him.

As for the guilt that enemy wants me to feel, I'm casting that behind my back because I know I work hard throughout the school year and I have worked this summer.  I  had a mental break and the work will begin soon.  My real work is not the content I teach, but the souls that I can reach.  God is in charge.  He knows my heart and I will not be yoked to bondage.

I guess I did have something to say after all.

Jesus, I thank You for the pause in my schedule to rest, but let me never forget that my real rest is found in You.  I thank You for the free gift of salvation and the mercy You give.  Thank You for keeping me upright and may i walk step in step with You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Jesus

 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.~John 3:16

God loves me.  He loves my neighbor.  How do I know this?  I know this because He sent His only Son to die for me.  Christ died an agonizing death.  A death where He took on the wrath of God for our sins; past, present, and future.  

We might say well Jesus was God so it didn’t cost Him much.  But Jesus was fully human and fully God.  His fully human nature without sin was mocked and beaten and nailed to a cross.  He was hung high and had to be separated from His Father because of the sin that was cast upon Him for our sakes.  On that Cross He died, but as a song says that not how the story ends because 3 days later He arose.  Victory over death.

Jesus is King. I need to always remember His sacrifice and humbly submit.  Jesus has already done enough, but my blessings don’t stop there because of His wondrous grace and mercy. Thank You Jesus.

Father I thank You for Your sacrifice and indescribable love for me and humanity.  May we all pause and worship Jesus the King who drank of the cup for us.  Granting us a path to salvation.  Let us never forget.  Let us live a life that brings honor to You.  In Jesuyname.  Amen

The mirror

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.~Psalm 139:14

I hate shopping.  I hate looking in the mirror and seeing the lumps and bumps.  It depresses me. I know that the majority of it is out of my control, but it is what it is.

Then I think about how God sees me.  I am reminded of His love for me.  I am more than my body and I do not need to compare myself to anyone or anything.  The Creator created me and He makes no mistakes.

I’m also reminded that it is good for me to look in the mirror, a spiritual mirror, and let the light of God shine on me so that I can see where I need Him to shape and mold me more like Him.  The enemy would have me down, but I will look up to Jesus and feel His love.

Lord, help me to see me as You see me.  Help me to choices physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually that reflect You and bring honor to You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

My refuge

 Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him” (NLT).

God is good.  He is merciful and kind.  He is a strong tower and refuge.  He is my resting place.  I’m in a season of life where family is aging and loved ones are passing.  It’s hard to see and hear the suffering of those who are ill.  I’m blessed to have many loved ones who still are with me and I shed a tear for those who are gone.  But I also rejoice knowing that their suffering is no more.  They are at home with the Father.  They are in God’s loving hands.  Peace eternal is their’s.  

Trouble comes, but I am not alone.  I have God.  I have my Father holding my hands and the hands of those dear to me.  I have a refuge and I trust Him.  I trust His timing and His Word.  I trust His love.  I am safe and I thank Him for His peace.  

Lord,  You know all things and all seasons.  You are my refuge and my strength.  You are God and I am grateful to be your daughter.  Thank You for all the many ways You come to my side and my family’s aid.  I love You.  In Jesus name. Amen

God is higher

 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple.~Isaiah 6:1

I was praying this morning and God spoke to my spirit,”stop trying to bring me down to your level”.  I was trying to explain something in human terms that needed spiritual understanding.  God is so all encompassing and infinite.  I can’t explain Him in one complete thought.  There is nothing to compare Him to because He is incomparable.  He is God and His ways are above mine and His thoughts are above mine. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.(Isaiah55:8-9)

Don’t get me wrong, God wants us to understand Him.  He wants intimacy with us, but I need (we) to see Him though spiritual eyes.  We need to lift our eyes up as Jesus was lifted high on the cross. Everything is not going to fit into a neat puzzle box because God is bigger and grander than anything.  He is high and mighty.  He is all powerful.  He loves us to meet where we are at, but we shouldn’t mistake that for Him abdicating His rightful throne.

Lord, You are God.  You are mighty.  You are wonderful and majestic.  You are Lord of my life.  You are my God and I praise You.  Forgive me for those times when I try to relate to You with a carnal mind.  Give me spiritual eyes and ears so that I can learn of You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Listen

 The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.- Matthew 11:15

Something stood out to me in my studies….familiarity and proximity does not necessarily equate to surrender.  I know God’s word.  I study it.  I pray.  But I have to be careful not to be prideful.  I have yet to obtain all the things that God has for me; all the ways He wants to transform me.

I have to hear His word with the intent and follow through of doing His word. If I hear what He is saying to me through the Holy Spirit and yet turn a deaf ear.  I chose not to hear.  I chose not to use the ears that He has given me.

It’s a blessing to be able read the word of God and understand.  He is revealing Himself to us.  He is showing us the way.  When I am convicted I must do more than regret.  I must acknowledge, surrender and turns towards that which He is pointing me to.   

The Lord convicted me to not be so familiar that I miss the new levels and layers that He is uncovering for me so that I might hear and listen.  I do now want to discount anything that He is revealing and miss my blessing.

Lord, I thank You for ears to hear.  Thank You for Your Spirit that guides and directs and also convicts.  I thank You for loving correction.  I thank You for Your word.  Keep me humble and hungry for You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

The race is not finished

 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.~Acts 20:24

I have two more work days of school left and then it’s officially my summer break.  Here’s the question though…Am I done?  No, because the ministry work that I do for Christ is ongoing.  I have to finish the race. Even in the summer there are opportunities to pour into others.  Whether it be our interactions with people in the grocery store, fellowshipping with family or worshipping in church we can make a difference for Christ.  We can share the good news about His love, mercy and grace.

This summer will be somewhat active for me.  I usually like to just chill, but God has other plans and it is for my good.  It is so that I do not get stagnant and develop stamina for the race He has set before me.  We all have a race to run and good news to share.  I pray that His word falls on good soil.

Lord, thank You for saving me and entrusting me with the good news.  May I run the race well and tell of Your marvelous deeds.  May someone know You better through the use of me.  In Jesus name.  Amen

The privilege of being a light

 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.~Matthew 5:16

We are living in a dark time, but I heard a minister say that we were appointed for this time.  It shifted my thinking.  I am living in a time with a purpose to be a light that shines bright on Jesus.  I get the opportunity to share with someone in a dark place the reality that Jesus is real. 

I get to be a beacon of love to others who may not otherwise see it.  I have had an entire year to impact the lives of my students and colleagues for the better, to imprint Jesus in their thoughts so that God can take control of their hearts.

I am not the light, just a reflection of Him.  He trust me and you with this mission as His children.  Anything that I do good is because of Him and through Him and it shines a light on Him in a dark place that is illuminated by the stars of His grace.

So yes, there are shadows and evil may look like it’s winning, but it’s not because God sits on the throne and His light illuminates everything.  He is the way. And when join together in unity think about bright of a beacon that is all over the world.

Lord, I thank You for the privilege and opportunity to be a light to others who might be walking in the shadows.  Thank You for works that You do through me and others.  Thank You for Your Son.  In Jesus name.  Amen

His loving eye is on us

 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.~Psalm 32:8

Yesterday, I came upon this post by Tamara Mowry  sharing the scripture above.  She broke it down in such a way that stood out to me and I want to share it with others. 

 Psalm 32:8 emphasizes God’s loving relationship with us.  First He tells us that He will instruct us.  He is giving us the directions for how to live.  He shares with us the boundaries that will keep us safe and warns us off the consequences of not aligning to His will.  But He doesn’t stop there because He says teaches us.

This hit home for me because as a teacher I show my students the way.  I scaffold lessons to help them learn and meet the mark and that what God does.  He doesn’t leave us alone to figure it out.  He teaches us the way to go.  As Tamara said, “He shows us”. 

In addition to showing us, He comes beside us and counsels us with His loving eye.  I think of the Spirit, the Helper, that is available to all believers.  The indwelling of the Spirit that leads us on the path.  God talking and walking with us.  He is intentional.

What a precious gift we have in Jesus.  What a loving Father.  We are not alone.  We are loved and precious in His sight.

Father, I thank You for having Your Word go forth.  Thank You for the seeds you plant in our hearts and the growth that comes.  Thank You for teaching us and counseling us.  Thank you for showing us the way.  Forgive us when we falter.  Help us to get back up and keep moving on.  In Jesus  name.  Amen

Worship Him

 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.~Romans 12:1

Today is a gift.  Another opportunity to praise and worship God.  Because of His great mercy and faithfulness we should make the most of each day by praising and worshipping God through our thoughts and actions.

Each of has a purpose and when we seek to fulfill that purpose we are worshipping the Lord.  Using the gifts that God has granted each of us to up build His z kingdom is worship.  Aligning ourselves to His will and choosing His way is worship.

Yesterday, I was prompted to choose my attitude and approach for the day.  It was a play on the word Tuesday, but every day we are given a choice to position ourselves for victory as we worship the Lord.  Even on the the rough days we can still choose to trust Him.  Choose to praise, honor, and worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. ( Colossians 3:23-24).  Whether that be teaching, singing, working in an office, serving as a greeter, being a caregiver or a mom. Walk humbly with God and worship Him. Let your light shine so that others may see God.  

Lord,  today is a gift; an opportunity to worship You.  I do not have to wait until Sunday.  I can praise You right now through my actions and deeds.  I thank You for this opportunity and join with fellow brothers and sisters by lifting your name on High.  Forgive us when we fall short and help us to continue to put You first. Hides us behind You Jesus.  We will give You all the glory, honor, and praise.  In Jesus name. Amen

Steady

 Jesus Will

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. ~ Psalm 1:3

The word steady was used by a friend to describe me.  I immediately thought of this word.  It's not me that is steady, but Christ in me the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  The hardship of battling with depression and anxiety is present, but my God is greater and because I tap into Him I can still yield fruit.

I am abiding in the Vine.  He is doing the work.  I am just yielding and letting Him have His way.  I am trusting that God is taking my good and my bad and working it for my good.(Romans 8:28)  Its shaping me and making me into the woman of God that He desires me to be.

So as my friend spoke life into me, I speak life into others.  You may feel fragile.  Like fine glass that might shatter, but remember Who is holding you.  Remember who holds your hands.  He will keep you steady.  You will bloom where you are planted.  The hardships will not overtake you because God has given you the way of escape-"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

For those who might be thinking my blogs are sounding familiar that is because battling with anxiety and depression is an ongoing battle.  But God delivers me from the oppression of the enemy by allowing me to share the truth of a mighty deliverer whose mercies are brand new everyday and every minute.  The battle comes, but He gives me the victory.  I just have to stay in position and disposition to receive it.

Lord, I thank You for another day.  I thank You for light in the shadows.  I thank You for victory.  I thank You for the steadiness of You.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

I'm a Witness

 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. ~ Psalm 136:1

Lord, You are mighty and You are great.  There are not enough words to express the wonders of You.  You continue to bring me out of the traps that enemy tries to ensnare me with.  Every time depression would dare lift its' head, You put Your foot on its neck.  You save me.  You spare me.  You remind me that You deliver me from my afflictions( Psalm 34:19) You see me and You hold me.  You wipe every tear.  You comfort me as only You can.  Thank You for having your hands on me.

Lord. It is You who calms the storms that arise in my life.  You give me a spirit of joy.  Hallelujah!  You give me peace because of Your grace.  It is You who allows me to overcome.  You are a blessed Father and I blessed because of You.  Thank You.  Thank You.  Thank You.

I know that I am not the only one who deals with hard days and battle depression and I know that I am one of of many witnesses of how God is a deliverer.  I am a witness of enduring love.  If you are in a dark tunnel or dealing with a some form of hardship, hold on.  Know and trust that the Lord is their.  Even if it is a sliver of light, head towards it.  He is Your hope and He wont let you down.  He loves you just as much if not more than He loves me.

Jesus, I thank You.  Father, I love You.  Holy Spirit, I continually need You.  Bless Your people Lord and thank You for love.  You are great and mercy goes deep.  Thank You for the opportunity to praise You.  Forgive me and cleanse me of any and all sin.  Cover me with Your blood.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen 

By His Spirit

  Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”  And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ~John 20:21-22

The Lord is gracious to us.  He promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.(Hebrews 13:5.  Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father, but God the Father and Jesus gave us access to the triune God by giving us the Holy Spirit.  And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—John 14:6.  

We who believe and receive have the person of the Holy Spirit living in us and on us.  This week has been a battle.  I have had to tell myself the truth over and over again.  The truth is that that Spirit guides us, comforts us, and protects us.   

I have been walking through shadows, but as God promised He is the good Shepherd and His Spirit has protected me.  His Spirit has comforted me and shown me the way.  His Spirit has protected me and made a way.  The  things that I could not do on my own God did through His Spirit.

We all have a purpose and mission from the Lord and we can rest assured that the Lord does not send us to do it alone or in our power, but rather His.  Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.(Zechariah 4:6)  I am absolutely humbled by God.  The devil was working overtime to steal my joy, but God restored me.  He would not let Him have me.  Thank You Jesus. Thank You Holy Spirit.  Thank You Father.

Father, You are a mighty God that has infinite wisdom.  Thank You for seeing to needs of Your people.  Thank You for breathing on me.  Thank You for your comfort, peace, guidance, and protection.  Thank You for Your Spirit.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Dealing with Anxiety

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?~ Mathew 6:25-27

I struggle with anxiety.  Some days it takes my breath away.  All the pressures and demands seem to snowball and I am left feeling like I'm grasping for air.  The one thing I have learned over the many years of dealing with this "illness" is to take it to the Lord.  

I reach out to Him honestly and tell Him what I am feeling and then I go to His word.  His word tells me not to worry.  Everything I have need of will be met by Him.  He will show me how to complete paperwork or send someone to help me walk through it.  He will help me to support my children in the way the He knows is best.  

He will give me time to pause in my day to take a breath and remember that He is Lord; He is Sovereign and that He is present with me.  I can meditate on His word and feel His calming presence.  He will walk with me through the shadows and bring me to the clear light.  

Lord I thank You for allowing me to be transparent and open with You because You know all.  Thank You for prayer that gives me access to Your throne because of Jesus.  Thank You for giving me what I need to deal with anxiety when it gets to be too much.  Thank You for the blessing and provision of You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Pause-His Shed Blood

 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. ~ Matthew 26:28

Tomorrow is Good Friday.  The only reason why it is good is because of what Christ did for me and you.  He shed His blood so that we might be forgiven.  It's Holy Week and on Sunday I was in church watching the waving of palms, praising God and then Monday came.  I got lost in the hustle and bustle of traveling for a work conference.  Trusting God for traveling mercies and provision, but I took my eye off the main thing Jesus.  

I want to honor Jesus.  I want to praise and magnify Jesus because if not for Him I would be damned; condemned. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 6:23).  I do not want to miss the gravity of what Christ went through for me.  He shed His blood or me.  He died for me.  I know He arose and lives seated at the right hand of the Father (Hebrews 12:2)  Yet, I want to remember His sacrifice.  I want to remember the cost.  It keeps me humble and hungry for Jesus.

The inheritance I have from God is because of Christ Jesus and in Christ Jesus.  This blessed life I live is because of Jesus.  I want to be holy because He is Holy.  I just wanted to pause and say thank You.

Jesus You have blessed me richly.  Thank You.  Thank You for Your sacrifice.  Thank You for Your shed blood that covers me.  Thank You for being God.  In Jesus name.  Amen

He works it Out

  And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8:28

I was thinking back to a time in my life where their was hardship.  And as I think about it I see all the ways that God was moving to work it our for my good.  My youngest son did not live with me for 6 years.  I initially let him live with his father telling myseld that a son needs to be with his father.  As I dig deeper the real reason was because I did not feel worthy.  I was in a dry season and I had made some bad choices out of rebellion that led to severe consequences, but God was still at work in my life.

He healed me. He had to allow brokeness to enter into my life, but my brother pushing me to confront the realities of my choices.  It forced to me to learn how forgive those who persecuted me.  My brother their when I let the tears flow as God reminded me that I was His child and loved.  God placed a loving husband in my life who was both my support and protector from the harsh brutal verbal assaults from my sons father.  He had the upper hand or so he thought.

God turned it all around.  My son's father fatal flaws would be brought to light and God had set everything up where I had everything I needed to get my son back.  From my parents, brother and sister in-law, husband ,kind lawyers and wise judge the hands of justice moved swiftly.  The man who had tried to keep my son from me would now loose access to him.   From a traumatic event would come healing. My son would come back home to a loving environment and thrive; our relationship completely restored.

God also worked it out where I forgave myself and received His forgiveness.   He moved me from fear to faith.  God set everything in its place in His timing.  I share this very private story because it is a testament to what God can do.  Its been eight years and I see how God turned tragedy into triumph and isolation into restoration of community.  I am blessed.  My son is blessed.  He did it for me. He can do anything you ask of Him ( aligned to His will) for you.

Lord, thank You for working out the good, bad, ugly on our behalf.  Thank You turning it all for our favor and Your glory.  Let us not forget and trust during times of silence.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Don't Forget

 The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.  ~ 2 Chronicles 20:33

In 2 Chronicles the 20th chapter we find the Jehoshaphat was being attacked.  He consulted God; the people prayed and fasted.  God told them that they would not have to fight this battle.  Keep reading and you will see how God gave the people complete victory over their enemies.  

The people praised God and and upon their return worshipped God in the temple and then they went home.  My pastor on Sunday talked about not forgetting.  Jehoshaphat was a good king.  The Bible tells us so, but he let the high places remain.  

We  have to be careful of the high places we let stay in in our lives.  Those idols, things that would try to compete with God can not remain.  Must love God with our whole heart.  It saddens me that the people of Judah after seeing all that God can do, after seeing His great love and protection of His people would not commit.  But if I am honest, I have been in that place once before.  Putting relationships before my relationship with God.

Those high places has to be remove and my heart must be guarded ( Proverbs 4:23).  God has given me victory over depression, disease, financial hardships, and crisis of other kinds.  I can not forget and must remember to set my affection on  Him alone.

Lord, let me not forget the goodness of You.  Let praise for You be continuously on my lips.  Let me cast down anything that would attempt to compete with You.  Forgive for those times that I falter.  Bless your people and let us share our victories and testimonies so that we may be strengthened in the faith together.  In Jesus name.  Amen