Faith and Songs of Celebration

February 8, 2024February 3, 2024 Martha Rodman1 Comment

I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; he has hurdled both horse and rider into the sea. Exodus 15:1 NLT

The book of Exodus is quite an adventure story. We have the story of Moses’ birth, his subsequent flight into the desert, his calling back to Egypt and the encounters with Pharoah. So many highs and lows are imbedded in the beginning chapters.

But we finally come to chapter 15. As I read this wonderful song of thankfulness and celebration I was overwhelmed and so encouraged. The first thing I noticed in the song is the very first word-I-! I will sing. Not my brother not my sister, my mother or my father or friend, I will sing. My voice is important to Him. He wants to hear me celebrate and worship, and He wants to hear your voice.

Verse 3 continues with: The Lord is my strength and my song. A similar thing with the (I) ! The very act of personalizing the fact that the Lord is my strength brings it substance in a real way. The Lord is my song. Will I choose to sing a song of lament, or a song of victory? It is much easier to sing a song of celebration when we remember He is our Lord.

He has given me victory. Once again, we can look around and see others victories, but declaring and understanding that I have victory is so encouraging. It makes the trials and tests seem much more doable!

This is my God, and I will praise him. Again, personalizing He is MY God changes our perspective in so many ways. Try it! You might find you like it! If you do this all the time, you know the blessing. If you are nervous about declaring He is your God, remember He adopted you into His family. He is your father as well as your God.

This song celebrates the victory after the Israelites walked across the Red Sea on dry land. They had just witnessed God destroying their enemies right before their eyes! Oh, my friends, we need to celebrate more often both the big and small victories we see our God do–not only for ourselves, but for others.

One of my father’s favorite songs was “Victory in Jesus”. He sang it with such gusto and declaration that you just knew he wasn’t simply singing songs, but was testifying of His God. When he declared, “my savior forever”, you knew he knew Him. Maybe you aren’t a songwriter, it doesn’t mean you can’t adopt one. One of my favorite go-to songs when I find myself in a hard place, is another old fashioned chorus “My Lord knows the way through the wilderness”. Declaring “MY” Lord sets me on the path of releasing my faith and reminding me “all I have to do is follow”. If you are unfamiliar with this song, google it! It is catchy, simple and full of encouragement even though it was written around 1951! It is not nearly as elaborate as the one in Exodus 15, but it works.

My friends, if you are going through a harder place right now, I am sorry. Can I encourage you to read this scriptures aloud? There is something powerful that happens as we hear our own voices declaring God’s truth. Often it breaks the power of our head voices and those lies that try to keep us imprisoned inside our own minds. If you are brave, set it to your own tune.

Father, I thank you for these amazing stories we find of your power, might and promised victory for your children in the book of Exodus. It gives us hope that we too, will receive our own victories. Thank you for teaching us how to celebrate every victory. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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Faith and a Testimony of Thankfulness

February 1, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. Colossians 1:11-12. NLT.

January is finally over. This new year brought so many challenges to so many of my friends and family. Some of them are still ongoing (like the passing of loved ones), while fortunately some will soon be forgotten (my plumbing issue). This post is to simply thank God for His work in and through my life. I hope it encourages you to take a moment and thank Him for what He is doing in and through yours.

For several months, as I looked around our church, I saw many of the pillars from the past aging and unable to contribute as they used to. It bothered me that they seemed to becoming invisible without people knowing their contributions. So I began to pray and then made an appointment to speak with our pastor about this need. I envisioned a ministry that would encourage and help the Seniors at our church. When I shared my heart with him, I could see it touched his heart as well. With a very humble heart, we began this journey. I am very thankful for his open and caring heart.

What I didn’t know at the time, was how this would stretch me. How I would be confronted by my own sense of inadequacy as this task began to take on a ministry with a much bigger scope than I ever imagined. I saw it as a giant octopus with so many legs that were flailing around. How could we ever tame the beast and make it work? For weeks I wrestled with the overwhelming task. Why did I take this on? I am thankful for this wrestling. I am thankful because I am/was forced to seek Him in new measures. I am thankful because He gave me the compassion to continue when I wanted to quit. It seemed overwhelming and it was very uncomfortable.

Thankfully, God began to send team members with like-minded hearts. We came together and began to brainstorm and dream. Our accumulative strength, faith and grace gave me the courage to press on. For this I am so very thankful and grateful to our Father.

It is still a very fledgling ministry, but I have confidence that it will grow and develop to touch many lives. Do I know how it will all work? No. After much struggle in prayer, I realized one of my missing pieces. We were trying to develop a “program” based ministry, but I realized through the Holy Spirit, it needed to be relationship based, because that was how it was going to be built. Then we could discover the real needs that need to be met. When that revelation took place much of my struggle ceased. I began to see Jesus and His ministry was relationship based. He didn’t have programs! The young church in Acts developed feeding and caring programs, which came after they were in relationship and saw the need. How simple and obvious it seems now. But I am thankful for the struggle I went through because it reinforced it was not my idea to work this program, but it is God’s plan. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn this lesson yet again!

As we move toward our public (church wide) launch March 3, I am getting excited and I feel much more confident than I was when we began. I am thankful for teammates who compliment my skill set, but I also know I need to set myself to learn some new software admin type stuff. I am grateful because the Lord has helped me understand I can rely on Him to quicken my mind so I am not afraid of tackling it. Do I expect to mess up, probably. But understanding you are ignorant in a scenario does not mean that God won’t challenge you to learn something new. I am so thankful for courage to learn. Do you need some fresh courage to learn or step out in God’s assignments for yourselves? Ask Him.

Once again I have been confronted to believe God and His Word in fullness, not just in my mind. Is His Word true? Of course, then act like it! Sounds simple, but He understands how the process of renewing our mind works. I am thankful I can see and sense a change in my own soul in these areas. My faith is growing in Him, not myself. Sometimes we are not aware of how much unrest we carry, until He brings His peace. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3: 15. Faith is released more when we are have peace. It is interconnected. He is working in all our lives to bring this about and we can trust Him to do it!

My friends, God is such a good God doing good things in our lives. I encourage you to look around to see how He is working in your life and thank Him for it. Thank Him for even the hard parts. They will work out for your good, He promises!

Father, I thank you for your faithfulness to work in our hearts and lives. To bring us to places we could never go ourselves. I thank you for helping us learn how to let your peace reign and rule in our hearts so we can be free to accept your challenges and opportunities! You are so amazing, thank you for not leaving us as we are. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and His Faithfulness

January 25, 2024 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Psalm 36:5 NLT.

2024 is 25 days in. Life still keeps me on my knees and looking upward! It is amazing how in the midst of so many challenges God proves Himself faithful. I mentioned last week about the mess in my back bedroom. More issues were discovered and in some places, we are down to studs and the outside brick wall. But as I trust Him, and my wonderful contractor, it will get restored. All that takes is money, supplies and hard work. God is faithful to provide.

But what about other things, the harder things that money won’t fix? Can we trust His faithfulness during those times? Yes, we can. Here is an example of His faithfulness in one of life’s most challenging situations.

This past Sunday, my dear niece, Anne Hardy passed into the loving arms of our Savior. Anne is the oldest daughter of my oldest biological sister. A sister my triplet sisters and I were not raised with due to my parents personal issues. It was God’s faithfulness that brought each of us back together in person, when we were about 28. It is amazing how God re-connected our lives. His faithfulness was demonstrated through the prayers of our Aunt Freda; a dear precious believer who prayed our family would be reunited due to our adoption. (After our birth, the state became involved and some of our sisters were placed in foster care). My parents had eight children. My sister Betty is twenty years older than we are and is an amazing woman in her own right. Anne’s full name was Elizabeth Anne–the same as my daughter! (Because I only knew her as “Anne”, I didn’t know her full name!)

Anne’s last several months was filled with hospital stays as she battled pancreatic cancer. We watched God’s faithfulness as He strengthened her and blessed her. The outcome was not on our agenda, but His faithfulness was so manifested. Early on in the process Anne had a dream. In this dream she was in heaven. She saw many angels around the throne and it was beautiful. There was one angel who had the Book of Life, and said, “no, it’s not time for you”. Then she was escorted back to earth. I remember the peace and hope that came as she shared this dream with me. Yes, God was going to heal her!

Later on, she had a second dream (shared to me by her sister Debbie). In this dream, Anne wrote her obituary. As she finished and re-read it, she said, “you know this was a pretty good life!”. Debbie wasn’t happy about that dream. As it became obvious her time here on earth was short, the immediate family gathered in the hospital. Her amazing husband Doyle was at her bedside holding her hand. She had been through so much and Doyle exemplified God’s faithfulness in so many ways. Anne loved music. Doyle put on a Gaither song, “Mansion over the Hilltop” and as they listened to this promise, he leaned over and told her she was free to go. Her pulse and breathing ceased. Then Doyle felt a touch on his shoulder. As he turned to see who touched him, no one was there. It was as if Anne gave him one finally touch.

Someone asked Doyle how he was feeling. He said, “pure joy”. Only our good and faithful God could do that. Our God is so faithful. We need to trust Him more, and not let the enemy rob of us of who our God really is. These dreams and this final story are helping our family walk through these days. I know Anne has left some big holes in the lives of her mom, her brother and her sister, but our God is faithful and able to bring His comfort.

These two seeming polar opposite stories (my room issue) and Anne’s passing are examples of God’s faithfulness in my life this month. There are so many more. I want to encourage you to look out for them in your own life. I have found walking in thankfulness, brings me even more aware of His faithfulness.

Father, I thank you for Your dependable faithfulness, which not only reaches past the clouds but into every area of our lives, if we let You. I ask You help us to open our eyes in even the hardest places to find you, because I know you are there. Thank you, my dear Savior. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Seen

January 18, 2024 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Therefore, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me”. Genesis 16:13 NLT.

As I read this scripture yesterday, it struck me once again that we are people who are seen. Not only seen but seen by a powerful God who can do something about our situation. Hagar, an Egyptian slave girl did not have an easy life. We don’t know how she became a slave to Sarai, Abrams wife, but she was in their midst. I wish I knew her backstory.

Most of us know the story, but let’s go through it again. God promised Abram a son, even though they were well passed child bearing age. Sarai got impatient and following a tradition suggested that Abram father a child through her maid Hagar. Hagar had no say in the matter. Genesis 16:1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named, Hagar; so she said to Abram, ‘The Lord has kept me from having children, Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

From the advantage of hindsight, we can see all the problems with this choice. God had promised them children, but Sarai is blaming the Lord for keeping her from having children. I think every month Sarai did not conceive brought her more and more despair. By now, Abram was about 85 years old which made Sarai 75 years old. I can see why their faith might have struggled, can’t you? So Sarai comes up with this plan for her to use Hagar in hopes she could build a family through her. This was a common practice in their culture, but not God’s plan for their legacy.

Reading this story always makes me take a pause and pray, “Father, please help me to find and follow Your will, not my good ideas. Help me trust You and Your plans, no matter what”. I want to encourage us all to do the same. God’s ways are always higher than our ways and usually don’t look like our ways.

So Abram slept with Hagar and she conceived. Instead of the happy family Sarai must have pictured in her mind, Hagar began to hold Sarai in contempt. Sarai then blamed Abram! Then Sarai said to Abram, this is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong–you are me! Abram replied, “look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. Genesis 16:5-6. NLT. This triangle relationship did not work on any level!

Not one of these people really did the right thing. Abram, as the husband and the one God had spoken to, should have said ‘ no, that’s not what God said, we are going to trust Him.’ Sarai did not think things through when it came to her own heart. Her heart wasn’t in the right place to enlarge it to encompass Hagar as a pregnant sister wife. Hagar acted very immature in her attitude toward Sarai–all things we can and should learn from.

So Hagar runs away into the wilderness. There is a surprise twist to this story. Neither Abram nor Sarai go after her. But she has the most amazing encounter. The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. He not only found her, but he encouraged her. He began to instruct her to go back to Sarai and submit to her authority. You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means God hears), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. How amazing. I think it is interesting that Hagar got to name her son, instead of Abram. But the angel went on to tell her a few more things about her son, that I don’t know if she really wanted to know! This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey. He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives. I am sure this is something she pondered in her heart.

My friends, God see you. He sees your circumstances and He is moving on your behalf, as you participate with Him. Hagar went back to Sarai and hopefully they both treated each other with a bit more respect. Sarai only had the promise of a child at this point. It would be 14 more years till she bore her own child. What a test. We do know that after Isaac was born, Sarah demanded that Abraham send Hagar and Ishmael away. Genesis 21 tells the story of Hagar’s next encounter with the God who sees. He doesn’t forget her, nor does he forget us. Please be encouraged, no matter how many times you hear this story, let it go deep into your soul. Take encouragement also from Colossians 1:23. But you must continue to believe this truth and stand firmly in it. Don’t drift away from the assurance you received when you heard the Good News.

Father, I thank you for seeing us. Let the fact You, the God of the Universe sees them and is helping them make a difference in their hope and faith today.

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Faith and Insecurity

January 11, 2024 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35. ESV.

January 1, I spent some focused time with the Lord. I just poured my heart out, admitting I felt inadequate for some callings I feel He has set before me. As I shared my heart with Him, not only did naming my fears and shortcomings make them more understandable to me, He responded. He told me that the enemy was trying to undermine my confidence not only in myself but also in Him and His ability to equip me for the position He has called me too. This sounds like pretty basic spiritual warfare, doesn’t it? And it is. But sometimes the subtle tactics can not only be the most effective to slow us down but also so sneaky we don’t recognize it at first.

As we continued the conversation, my eyes were opened to just how subtle and effective this tactic had been working in my life. Not only was it eroding my confidence in this area, but it was spilling over into other areas of my life. So, I asked the Lord for His strategies for combatting this warfare.

This is why I love our Lord so much. He gave me directions and practical solutions! Now, these are very obvious but useful solutions. The first one is to be thankful. As I upped my gratitude and open thankfulness, my confidence began to return. He led me to thank Him for His wisdom being my wisdom, and His ability to become my ability. The subtle warfare led me to take my eyes off the Lord and onto myself, no wonder I felt insecure. By actively thanking the Lord for His help, ability, promises it made it about Him, not me! I am feeling much more confident than ever before.

But He also led me to thank Him for any and every breakthrough we may need as a team. This means every team member will receive their own breakthroughs as well. Hope and expectation are rising in my heart. As I laid down (again) my ways to His ways, confidence is rising.

Dear ones Joshua had big shoes to fill after Moses died. What did God tell him? Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Joshua 1: 6-7. NLT. I am sure those subtle lies were spoken to him too, but God told Him what to do. Be strong and very courageous. My friends, no matter what will come our way in 2024, we can know we can handle it. Do not let insecurity or fear overwhelm you. Begin to thank Him for giving you every ability you need to accomplish this good work in you and through you.

I have found continued encouragement in Colossian 1:11. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. As I pray this prayer for myself and our team, once again hope and expectation rise. Insecurity festers and flourishes when we forget we have His power and that He will enable us to have the endurance and patience we need to run our race. Confidence rises when we trust Him to keep His promises and we align ourselves with His Word. There are things on God’s agenda for each of us this coming year. Let’s not let fear, insecurity or pride stand in our way. Colossians 1:10 Then you way you will live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. What a blessed promise!

Father, I thank you for helping us get rid of all insecurity that may be lurking in our lives. I thank you that you are enabling everyone who reads these words to be strong and courageous in both the big and little assignments You have given them. Strengthen moms and dads, leaders and followers, employees and employers to bear good confident fruit for Your kingdom’s sake, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and God’s Help

January 4, 2024 Martha Rodman3 Comments

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and it shall be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Every year for about 15-16 years I have read through the Bible, starting with Genesis and going on to Revelation. I’ve used different plans, some with devotionals, some time without. This year was the first year I did not look forward to starting over. My attitude really surprised me. On December 30 as I looked through the YouVersion Bible app for a new devotional, I finally admitted to myself and the Lord that I didn’t want to do it again. I was embarrassed to admit it! But then I shared it with the Lord. I told Him, you are going to have to help me with this. I am sorry for my attitude, I know it is not right. But there it is. I know Your Word is important. I left it in His hands.

So,Sunday, December 31, our pastor began shari1ng the importance of starting our day/year with Jesus. He quoted Matthew 6:33, But seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. NLT. He then went back up to Matthew 6:9-13, with what is known as the Lord’s prayer. Now, I already knew I was going to keep reading and studying God’s Word, no matter how I was feeling on December 30, but God began to shift my heart and my feeling, in other words, He began to help me.

As Pastor Hurley expounded on “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy”, I found myself repenting again. My heart was stirred to keep God’s name and attributes through my life holy. I know I can’t/couldn’t do it on my own. I need Him, the Holy Spirit and His Word to help me accomplish that goal. He mentioned as we declare God is holy, we are joining Heaven’s chorus! The thought that our voice and life can unite with those who have gone on before and God’s angelic beings brought me to such a humble place. I felt small and yet strong and able at the same time.

As I began to read His Word (in Genesis!) on January 1, I found an excitement and noticed things I had not seen before. Was this surprising? No, because the word is alive! For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12. NLT. Our Life Group is beginning a study on the book of Colossians. In prepping for the study, I began reading it on Monday. I left my time in His Word strengthened, encouraged and knowing God had answered my prayer.

So yesterday, January 2, I ran a load of wash. I heard some gurgling and found water backed up into my tub. Because I felt so strengthened by His Word, I simply began to pray for solution. A year or so ago, I needed a plumber and found a great one–but I couldn’t remember the company’s name. I prayed, and after a bit, it came to me. I called and left a message. The water eventually drained. So I did another load this morning…it was even worse. I received a call back from the plumbing company. They are booked out until the end of February! I asked for referrals, she gave me one. I called and am waiting for a call back and appointment for early next week. Is this upsetting? Yes…but I decided something based on my Colossians study. I will not let this situation distract me from God’s plan or His truth. Is it inconvenient? Of course. But I will not let it take my joy nor my position in Christ. Money will fix the problem. God is the provider and He will make sure it is taken care of.

What I am trying to express, is God listened to my desperate heart cry to help my heart change. He brought my pastor’s great message, my own discipline in spending time in His Word and the Holy Spirit’s leading to the book of Colossians to help me face this challenge with strength. I refuse to worry about the what if’s. I refuse to be afraid of the bill. It isn’t worth it! This is one of the verses that brought me to this stance: We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. Colossians 1: 11. I prayed this prayer for myself on Monday. I felt His power strengthening me, and it still is. The next verse: May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. Colossians 1:12. Isn’t it silly how easily we get our joy robbed from us because we let it happen. God wants to us to walk full of His joy, not with an empty or low tank. He wants us to have enough joy to carry us through every situation we face, no matter what, and we can have it because He is our helper!

I know my plumbing situation is a small thing in the big sphere of things, but isn’t often the smaller things that trip us up? God wants us to grow this year in our ability to handle the things life hands us. He will teach us the how’s, the ways and give us all the grace and mercy we need to learn, as we trust Him. Isn’t He awesome??

Father, thank you for loving us enough that you never leave us nor forsake us. Thank you for understanding our weak places, but not leaving us there. Thank you for helping us grow up in you and your ways this next year, because we want to let our lives to glorify Your Name. I ask you to strengthen my friends this day, in every needed area, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and A Testimony

December 28, 2023 Martha Rodman2 Comments

If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. Isaiah 58:10.

I want to share with you an amazing God story. This is not my story, but the story of the family of God at Life Church, here in Oak Harbor, WA. Last year, our pastors decided to stretch our faith and seek to give away 400 food bags to the needy parts of our city. This year, our goal was 800 bags, serving Oak Harbor and a neighboring area, Anacortes.

This focus on “genero-city” included faith building messages and reminders of God’s promises. As we turned our eyes away from ourselves and onto Jehovah Jireh (The God who will provide) our faith was built and stretched. We were asked to give $40 per family, but not only supply for their need, but also to pray for them. Praying for “my” families made it so real. By God’s grace, I was able to contribute so several families would be provided for. It was a joy, not a burden.

I have always loved to give. It is something God has worked in my heart and soul, but somehow, through these teachings, I found myself looking for more needs to be met! Not only did we give financially, we also sacrificed time and energy. The Sunday before the give away, cards were placed at each targeted area, alerting the occupants that bags of food would be distributed the next Sunday. 800 homes received these cards. On Wednesday, about 130 people came to fill the bags with food goods for 800 Christmas dinners. Each bag also contained a Bible and invitation card to Life Church. Sunday hams were added to these bags and new teams set out to deliver them.

As each team delivered these bags, they offered to pray for the people. It was amazing how many people accepted that offer. One woman was so glad to receive her bag, but was more concerned that her friend would get a bag. The problem was that this woman was quite deaf, so they were instructed to knock very loudly at her apartment. This gal watched closely as another team went to her friend’s door, but she didn’t answer. Her friend said, wait, I have a key to her apartment. She is my best friend. When she unlocked her friend’s door, they discovered she was asleep in her recliner…but a pot on her stove was on fire! The timing of this food bag delivery saved her life and possibly the homes of many.

We heard another touching story. A young child came to the door, and then called her mom and siblings. Her mother had just told the children that they had no money or food for Christmas dinner. The children were very sad of course, and then our team showed up! Only God’s timing could turn things around so quickly. Prayers for healing, hope and provision were given to many.

My part during the delivery time was to be part of our intercessory prayer team. It was a joy to follow the Holy Spirit as He led us to pray for God’s leading for each team member. We felt His Presence, and they did also. We are still praying the seeds sown will bear much fruit for each family, and that the Bible would be read, and the blessing of the reading would be evident.

What is the take-away for me and you? It always pays to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, no matter how much it stretches your faith and your provision. It is always worth it. God cares for the poor, the widow and the orphans, we should too. Isaiah 58:10-11 in the message gives us this promise: If you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and -out, Your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places–firm muscles, strong bones. You will be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. If we love and care for those our God cares for He will care for us.

Father, please help us to love others as you love us and as you love them. The poor, the orphan, the widow, the disabled, the weak and the strong. Help us get our eyes off ourselves and onto others, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and Shepherds

December 21, 2023 Martha RodmanLeave a comment

Glory to God in highest, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke 2: 14 NLT.

I admit it is hard for me to comprehend the word “glory”. It is not a word that shows up in my vocabulary often! And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they werer filled with great fear. One angel showing up brings the glory of the Lord to these shepherds, just one. Imagine, these shepherds were doing their normal watch…looking out for predators or wandering sheep when suddenly their whole night was shifted. It was a sudden change of events. An angel showing up would probably cause me to be afraid as well!

This angel says to them: Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Wow–talk about a great interruption–an angelic visitation with good news.

We aren’t told much more about these shepherds. They were available for interruption because they were watching! Some background study of the culture of the time, reveals that shepherds were considered even lower than Samaritans. They were not allowed to be witnesses in court cases, and they were considered untrustworthy because they had a reputation of being thieves. Yet, for some reason God decided to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with these fellows.

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others–the armies of heaven–praising God and saying, ” Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Did you get that last phrase? Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Maybe that is why the Angel came to the shepherds, to show them that God accepted them. A huge vast host of angels giving glory to God must have been amazing. As I was pondering this event, I was thinking about how these angels really knew, first hand, the God they were praising. When we really encounter Him, our praise is genuine.

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” I am sure there must have been some discussion about what to do with the sheep because after all, they were their livelihood. But they took the angels news as an invitation to go and see this grand event.

Do you think you would have gone? Or do you think you would have needed a clearer invitation? The Holy Spirit must have motivated them to simply follow the clues given. Hmm, you will find him wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger. They knew about mangers, I am sure, and they probably knew that mangers would be found in a barn like structure–so off they went. They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. Amazing, right?

But then, God used them to spread the good news. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. They became the first evangelists! All who heard the shepherds story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:18-20. NLT.

The shepherds took up the praise and glorifying God, like the angels. Our God is moving amongst us and is answering prayer. I’ve watched Him this week change discouragement and depression into hope. Bring financial blessings to those who need it, because He is a real God, still doing real things. He is saving people from their sins and from themselves. For that I can only give Him the glory. This is a gift we can give our Heavenly Father, glory.

Father, I thank you for showing me new things in this familiar story. I ask you help me and your children to take the time to glorify your name, as you deserve. Let me not take you for granted. I am so grateful you came to the shepherds and used them to spread your good news. It gives me hope you can use me. Thank you, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Faith and “Stops”

December 14, 2023 Martha Rodman1 Comment

One Sabbath day, as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years, and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness! Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! Luke 13: 10-13. NLT.

One thing teachers, usually don’t like to have to deal with, is interruptions. They are focusing on communicating their thought–giving their best so their listeners will get their point, but here we find Jesus interrupting his own teaching because he saw a woman in need. But is this an example that we too, should be following? Personally, I think it might be appropriate!

I don’t know if you have ever saw a person who was bent double, I have. I felt so sorry for them. For the most part, to them, it is a ground level view of life–full of shoes, legs and a very sore neck trying to look up. Eating may be difficult because of the angle the esophagus and stomach are in. This condition robbed her of the ability to have a lap. She couldn’t hold her babies like normal or even communication with others was hindered.

This woman had been in this condition for 18 years. I am sure by now she had adapted as best she could. People around her had grown used to her as well. Nobody expected anything different for her, that was just her life. But one Sabbath day, Jesus saw her.

One Sabbath, this un-named faithful woman went to the synagogue in spite of her condition. I don’t think she made any excuses that she couldn’t stand or sit very long, she went as usual. Sometimes we may feel if we don’t do something extra ordinary, we won’t receive anything extra ordinary–but it is often doing the right thing that puts us in the right place for the right thing to happen. But her faithfulness put her in the right place for the most extraordinary thing to happen.

Jesus saw her. He stopped teaching and called her over, laid hands on her and she was healed. Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. What an amazing sight it must have been. Then the scripture goes on to say: How she praised God. What a rightful response!

This woman was worth Jesus stopping his teaching to bring freedom to her life. Who is worth your stopping? Your interruption? It is hard in our busy world to make the stops sometimes. Maybe she was a beloved and cared for woman, or maybe she was just a deformed woman everyone took for granted who hid in the background. We don’t know. But what we do know is after 18 years of suffering, our Lord saw her and set her free. He stopped what He was doing and released her. Maybe sharing a smile, a word of encouragement or compliment may help someone feel seen or freed. Stopping and really looking at your food server or check-out person can make their day. Giving a gift of food or even a little cash makes a difference. My friends, if Jesus can stop his teaching to help someone, what can we do? This means we must first stop focusing on just ourselves, and that can be a hard thing to do, right? I want to share a very small example:

While I was in the check out- line at the grocery store the other day, I overheard the check out person talking with the bagger. The bagger was an older woman who, apparently, wasn’t feeling her best. To be honest, she didn’t look too well either. After I paid and received my bag, I simply leaned over to her, touched her shoulder and (out loud) but quietly asked Jesus to touch her. She looked startled, but then smiled as I wished her a better day. I have never seen her before, nor probably will I ever again, but I do know I did my best to encourage her. Was it appropriate? I don’t know, but it was in my heart to do so. I keep praying for her as well. This was a quick stop in both our days, prayerfully, I believe it made a difference.

I think sometimes, we are afraid to “stop” because we are afraid it might “cost” us more than we want to give. We may feel overwhelmed with the time, talent or treasure it may involve, so we pass on by. But we can’t possible consider what it may be purchasing, not only for the other person, but also for ourselves. If the Holy Spirit says stop, then stop. We can trust Him for provision and blessing, we truly can.

Father, I thank you for helping us not be afraid to “stop” and follow the Holy Spirit lead. Help us overcome our fear that it might “cost” us more than we want to give, or fear we aren’t enough. You are always enough, dear Lord, and we trust You to help us in this area. In Jesus Name, amen.

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Faith and “Weakness”

December 7, 2023 Martha Rodman1 Comment

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

I have been thinking about this verse a lot lately. I think it is one we like to quote to encourage others–but maybe, due to pride not want to apply to ourselves. Pride aside, we must admit, we all have our weaknesses. I am so grateful that God understands that about us. He not only knows our weaknesses, but He expects to use them for His glory. He remembered us in our weakness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:23. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:25. NLT.

Most of us spent a lifetime trying to hide our weaknesses. When they are exposed, we feel vulnerable and subject to criticism and/or rejection. I think we even try to hide them from ourselves! 2 Corinthians begins with Paul saying: This boasting will do not good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 12:1 NLT. He then spends a few verses sharing about his experiences (which sound amazing!) of seeing things that he can’t even express. But he doesn’t even elaborate on them, he jumps to: that experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:5. NLT. But then Paul clues us in on the backstory.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away [a thorn in his flesh] Each time he said, ‘my grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9.

One of my weak areas is asking for help. I have a tendency to be the “strong, independent woman” on my own. I know I am not alone in this, in trying to figure out the balance between being a weak, needy woman and the “I don’t need anyone”. Balance, for me, often comes through prayer. When I take the time to lean in an onto the Lord, He either shows me how to get through it, or He helps me ask for help. My weakness then turns into a strength, because I included Him and His wisdom.

Have you ever received an “assignment” from the Lord? Maybe you have been reluctant to accept it, but then you surrender to it? The struggle might deal with your own insecurity (hmm, a weakness?), fear of failure or like Jonah, you didn’t like the “Ninevites!”. But once you said yes, we must still rely on Him and trust His plan for the outcome. If we begin understanding our weakness, we must not end in our supposed strength. Paul goes on to finish his thoughts: That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10. NLT.

I found a journal entry from 2011. It was written during the height of my caregiving season for my husband. I wrote this: The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. Habakkuk 3: 19 Amp. Oh, how I knew I needed Him to be my strength. I learned during that challenging season how to lean into Him and receive His strength. My friends, does the Lord have you in a season where your weaknesses seem to be exposed? Congratulations! This is a good thing. He is able to do more than ever through you and me, when we admit our weakness. Do not let pride stop you from asking for His help. And when it arrives, no matter what shape or form, take it. I went on to write: My weakness is your strength. You already know about Darryl and my weaknesses and you can use them to be strong in us. Yes, thank you, I’m free to love Darryl with his weakness because you love him and will be strong in them. That gives me permission to love myself in the midst of my weaknesses as well.

When we admit our weaknesses to ourselves, we take a step toward loving ourselves well. Once we admit them to Him, He may show you ways to grow up and out of them (like works of the flesh). Others, He may show you a way to live with them in a way that glorifies Him (like Moses, and his stammering lips). If we want the power of God to work in us and through us, we have to get this right. Plus it is so freeing not to be perfect!

Father, I thank you that we can be strong in the power of Your might. I ask you to help us in this crucial area. We need You, more than ever, in Jesus’ Name, amen.