Grasshoppers, really??? Grasshoppers.....

What is it that just totally creeps you out?  I have a family member that is deathly and I mean deathly afraid of millers.  To the point of screaming, crying, just totally out of control, afraid of millers.  I am not particularly fond of snakes or mice but I don't go to any extreme of freaking out over them by letting them have control of me and my emotions.  But I can honestly say that if I'm not careful I can be like my ancestors. 

I realize that the 12 leaders from the 12 tribes of Israel that were sent in to spy on the land probably weren't afraid of grasshoppers. (Yep, those "Dudes" are my ancestors and yours.)  But for crying out loud, why would they compare themselves to grasshoppers????  REALLY????? Grasshoppers????

I think this afternoon what really got me was noticing the end of this verse in Numbers 13:33.

"We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

My mind instantly started whirling and I actually laughed.  How in the world did the 10 spies reporting back to Moses and Aaron with the negative report know that they looked like grasshoppers to the Nephilim?? 

You see that is exactly what fear does, it cripples us and causes us to think so irrationally.  Our thoughts become incredibly irrational!  It causes us to buckle and not do what God has for us to do.  It brings so much doubt, causes us to loose sleep and to miss the blessing that God has for us!

The next time that you begin to allow doubt to creep in just remember what Caleb and Joshua saw and walk on in to whatever it is that God has for you with determination, obedience, trust and belief!

Walking on in~~
Yolanda

Dumb, dumb, double dumb!!

The past several days I've been spending time with Moses and the Israelites in the book of Exodus.  This has taught me so much about what we hunger for, what we "think" we are lacking, and by looking back on the past all of this causes us to really not be where God wants me or you.  All of this causes us to live in such a manner that is not pleasing.  His desire is for us to be walking in the freedom that we have attained through Jesus Christ.  His desire is for us to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  His desire is for us to bring Him glory. 

If you and I aren't doing that then we are hurting the heart of God.  I believe that if I'm not living in this fashion then I'm not trusting God and I'm going at life all on my own, or at best only giving Him little slivers here and there.  As I've been walking with the Israelites, God has graciously reminded me of this and it was like I was hit over the head with a brick.  The light bulb went on in my brain, my heart and in my thoughts of "wow, Yolanda, you've been dumb, dumb, double dumb!!" 

Why? Well lets suffice it to say that God closed a door that I've desperately been trying to open it back up.  By doing so I've been angry, I've nursed a grudge, I've been keeping one eye on the past and one eye in the current.  It's not been where God has desired for me to be.  Since I've had that wow moment, I've had so much peace!!  I know that I know that God is my vindicator.  I know that I know that God has my back.  I know that I know that God has the very best planned for me and I've not been trusting Him. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for not giving up on me.  For showing me where I've been stumbling and needing Your guidance in my day to day life.  For allowing me the opportunity to share as this may help a girlfriend or a guy friend from my example of living life.  That You are always trustworthy and You are always for our good.  I love You Lord, Amen.