Our church just finished a series on the Ten Commandments.  This particular story in the Bible is a passage that, as an adult, I do not give as much focus to when I'm reading the Word.  I think there are so many great lessons to be learned about the Israelites and their journey out of Egypt, but when it comes to the Ten Commandments,  I would say that I've always skimmed over that part.  So it was refreshing to go deeper into the Ten Commandments and find even more truth in it than simply do not lie, cheat, and steal.  And in this particular season of my life, it was a much needed reminder.  Throughout the ten week series, the focus has been on this:  

In every commandment, there is a principle to follow and a blessing for obedience.

Lately, I feel like I've been God's guinea pig of faith.  You ever feel like that?  Wondering where that light at the end of the tunnel is?  Sometimes, I feel like telling Him, "Alright, God, you've got me.  I'm yours.  I'm not going anywhere."  But it's so true.  I'm not going anywhere.  Jesus has got me for life.  It's a decision that I made a long time ago.  And it's a decision that I will continue to make every single day.  

Music is a way that I connect with God.  I have a lot of favorite worship songs.  "I still believe" is one of them.  It's a song that I've always loved since hearing it for the first time back in 2008.  2008 was a tough year for me.  I had just experienced a tragic loss, something that no 23 year old should have to go through.  That was the year that I developed a true relationship with Christ.  I made a choice to stay rooted in Christ, because it's His strength I wanted to carry me through.  I remember listening to these lyrics, singing with all of my heart, making the choice to still believe in His faithfulness

Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."  

Have you ever completely trusted someone with all of their heart only to be let down when they do not follow through with their word?  It's hurtful.  You feel betrayed.  Loyalty is a precious quality to find in a person, but unfortunately in this world, selfishness often takes precedence.  Imagine having a person in your life that you never have to worry about betraying you, a person whose faithfulness is more than you could ever imagine.  It sounds comforting, right?  I have found that person, and his name is Jesus Christ.  In a world where loyalty runs thin and faithfulness is not protected, you can trust that God, His Word, and His promises will always remain true... that He will always remain faithful.  

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths."  Proverbs 3:6

I often think of the Bible as our blueprint for life.  There are so many stories and examples that teach us what to do when we face similar situations.  In a previous post, I had mentioned the story of the Israelites and their reaction when faced with the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptians closing in behind them.  One thing that story teaches us is about faith, but more specifically to not lose faith during our trials.  It prompts us to remember the way God has been faithful in our own lives.  Just because we face what seems like a current impossible situation, does not mean that God is not currently there fighting for us.  

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  Isaiah 43:2  

This verse hits home for me and is a huge source of hope and encouragement.  

Sometimes the challenges of life in this broken and sinful world can make it seem like God is no where to be found.  Sometimes it makes us wonder if God really does love us.  

Did you know that the phrase "Fear not" is stated over 300 times in the Bible?

Romans 8:28 "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."

This verse does not mean that bad things will never happen to those who love the Lord.  Instead, it's saying, as Timothy Keller puts it, God will give bad things good effects in your life.  No where in the Bible does it say that as Christians, we are immune to bad circumstances.  But God does promise to be there for us through it all.

Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  This is what Moses told the Israelites when they were standing in front of the Red Sea with Pharaoh and his soldiers closing in on them.  At this point, God had already freed them from Pharaoh and had been leading them through the desert with a pillar of clouds during the day and pillar of fire at night.  As the Israelites stood in front of the Red Sea, they felt hopeless, wondering why God would bring them this far only to be handed back over to Pharaoh.