Don't Forget

I have to admit I'm forgetful. When life's challenges come knocking on my door, I get distracted. As I focus on the difficulties, my mind can't seem to recall the many ways I've been blessed.

Remember the prophet Elijah? He seemed to struggle with this same malady. Elijah had stood boldly for the Lord as he confronted King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Humanly speaking, the odds were stacked against Elijah: 850 false prophets in opposition to 1 prophet of God. He asked a simple question of the crowd, "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him," (1 Kings 18:21; KJV). The response? Silence.

In order to prove that Jehovah was the true God, Elijah suggested a contest. Both Elijah and the prophets of Baal would prepare a bullock to sacrifice. Elijah's instructions were straightforward, "And call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God," (1 Kings 18:24).

Although the false prophets called out to Baal for hours, leaped up on the altar they had built, and followed their tradition of ceremonial cutting to illicit his response - none came. It was now Elijah's turn to call on the Lord. After repairing the altar of the Lord and preparing the evening sacrifice, Elijah had barrels of water poured over everything before calling on his God.

God answered in a miraculous way, "Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench," (1 Kings 18:38). Now the people were convinced that the God of Elijah was the true God, and they didn't hesitate to act on Elijah's command to kill the false prophets. The Lord had provided Elijah with a great victory.

But a valley often follows the mountaintop experience, and it was no different in Elijah's case. When King Ahab's wife found out that Elijah had slain the prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groves, she was determined to kill him.

This mighty prophet of the Lord, who had just witnessed a miracle of God, fled for his life. He got distracted by a threat from the evil queen and temporarily forgot God's amazing past provisions. Elijah was convinced he was the only prophet of God left, and he was ready to give up in complete defeat. When the Lord questioned him, the depth of Elijah's despair is evident, "I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away,"(1 Kings 19:10).

Even this great man of God, had times of forgetfulness. God encouraged Elijah and told him there were still 7000 faithful prophets in Israel. With a renewed focus, Elijah returned to the work of God.

Do you struggle to remember God's goodness when difficulties surround you? What step will you take to recall His blessings today?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your patience with me. I often forget Your goodness when I'm plagued by difficulties. Thank You for the story of Elijah. Help me to focus on who You are, and Your many blessings, as I read Your Word today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Praises & Presents

As the year winds down, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of activities - from decorating and baking, to parties and gift-giving. Yet the strains of Christmas carols have served to remind me that these festivities originated following the birth of a very special baby, Jesus Christ. I've been inspired to praise the Lord for His goodness!

David shares numerous reasons to praise the Messiah, "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's," (Psalm 103:1-5; KJV). What a Savior!

One of the 'good things' I'm praising Him for, are my blogger friends. I appreciate each of you and thank you for sharing this journey with me. In the past couple months, I was given two awards that I want to pass on as 'gifts' to all of you! Merry Christmas!

The first award, The Versatile Blogger Award, was given by the gracious Sheri Salatin at Sheri Salatin: Farming with Heart - Writing with Passion - Loving with Joy. A big shout out to Sheri! Here are the rules for passing this award along:

*Thank the person who gave you this award, and include a link to his/her blog

*Nominate 15 bloggers for the award (they can be bloggers you've recently discovered, or ones you follow regularly)

*Finally, share 7 fun things about yourself

The second award, Tell Me About Yourself Award, was passed along by the fun-loving Cheryl Linn Martin at Life in Flip Flops. Thank you so much, Cheryl! Oddly enough, the rules for passing on this award are exactly the same as the previous award! So, enjoy!

My 7 fun facts:

* I grew up in Michigan, spending 22 years there, before migrating south. And yes, it's true, my blood has thinned and I can't tolerate the cold anymore!

*My degree is in Corporate Wellness, but my passion is inspirational/devotional writing

*My favorite meal is fillet mignon, followed closely by fish tacos

*Fall is my favorite time of year. I love seeing God's creativity in nature!

*I've been playing the piano since I was 5

*I love vacationing at the beaches of South Walton, FL

*I'm going on my first mission trip to South Africa in 2012

Thank you, ladies, for these awesome awards! And I encourage all my blogger friends to add these awards to your sidebar and join in the fun!

Memory Trouble

It happens every year. I manage to forget one of my nieces or nephews birthdays. I DO have a list that includes every relative's special day, but I've managed to misplace it. And by the time the Facebook birthday reminder alerts me to the fact that someone's big day is about to arrive, it's too late! Even if I rush to the post office to send out the card and gift, it's belated once again. Does anyone else have a hard time remembering birthdays?

I've been reading about some people who had memory trouble. But it wasn't birthdays they had a hard time remembering - it was God. Moses was constantly reminding the children of Israel to remember God's goodness and provision. Before they entered the Promised Land, Moses once again encouraged them, "And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness...Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years," (Deuteronomy 8:2a, 4; KJV).

After leading the people for four decades, Moses was well acquainted with their tendencies. He shared a sneak peak of the amazing land they'd enter, "For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills," (Deut. 8:7). But followed it quickly with a stern warning, "Beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day," (Deut. 8:11).

Moses knew the people's propensity to wander away from God. After they entered the Promised Land and were well-fed, and had houses to live in, and flocks and herds to take care of, it would be all too easy to let pride creep in and take credit for what God had done. A life of relative ease and comfort would lull their minds to sleep, so they'd forget that every blessing they enjoyed was truly a gift from their Heavenly Father. Instead, they'd convince themselves that it was their power and might that had enabled them to become wealthy.

Unfortunately, Moses was right. It wasn't long before the Israelites began doing things their own way, completely forgetting God. But before I shake my head in disgust, I have to admit that I often do the very same thing. When things seem to be going along smoothly in my life, I begin imagining that I'm the one in control. My dependence on God wanes, and the spotlight is shifted to self. It's easy to take credit for things that are really the blessings of the Lord.

Enter the troubles and trials of life, and I find myself in an 'Ah-ha!' moment. Oh yeah, I'm not the one in control after all! And I find myself asking forgiveness and once again bowing at the feet of my Savior - the only One who is ever in control. It's important to remember. Focusing on the goodness of God and all that He's done for me. He is truly worthy of all of my praise!

Do you have a hard time remembering all the good things the Lord has done for you? Take some time today to praise Him for His goodness!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that paints a vivid picture of the importance of remembering Your goodness. Forgive me when I choose to forget You. Help me to praise You today for all that You've done in my life. You are good! In Jesus' name, Amen.