So, let me be real with you.

I'm trying to write something inspirational for my readers.
I'm trying to write something that the Lord will use. 
I have some things on my heart, but I'm not a very good writer; I can't put it into words.
Please know, hurting ones, that I love you. Please know that there is a Father above who loves you.


*after I began to type the Lord really spoke to me, my prayer is that He uses it to speak to you.... please pardon any typos... the Lord was speaking and I didn't want to miss it*

I'm reminded of the people of Israel who were enslaved to Egypt.

Check out Exodus 13: 17 -18, New King James

17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them byway of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.
19 And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had placed the children of Israel under solemn oath, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here with you.”[a]
20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.


They were in bondage, had several opportunities to leave.
They stayed! They were comfortable in the bondage.
Are you in chains?
Are you a slave to sin?
Most importantly, are you comfortable in your sin?
Trust Jesus. He will lead you
out just like He lead the children 
of Israel home; just like he 
freed me from my sin. 

Now, my friend, I can't say that it will be easy. I can't say that it will make sense. I can say that there is glory in the Promised land. There is glory in the wilderness. A heart that has been molded by the Lord is the best masterpiece. Even better than the Sistine Chapel.


Proverbs 3: 5-6 tells us to trust the Lord with all our heart... To not rely on our own knowledge. If we acknowledge him in all we do {during good times and bad}, he will direct our path. It will most likely not be the path you desire, but the destination is
glorious!

You see the children of Israel knew the most direct path to the Promised Land, but the Lord lead them in the exact opposite direction. He sent them south. He provided for them the entire way; he protected them, he manifested himself into a cloud during the day and fire at night for direction. He knew what would happen had they taken the easy route. He performed miracles along the way... like parting the RED SEA! The wilderness offered them a place for growth and reflection.
Are you in the wilderness my friend? 
Or are you still enslaved in Egypt? 
You may be sitting in the Promised land

To those of you who are enslaved by your sin, I'm going to make this simple. Step out. Follow Jesus. Trust Him. You can do it; the Lord will place people in your life to encourage you and see you through. I'm praying for you!

To those of you who are in the wilderness: keep your chin up! Look to the Lord! If you continue to look down, or look where you are headed you will miss the Glory! James chapter one tells us to count it all joy when we endure trials of all kinds, for they result in perseverance! Thank the Lord for this hard time. As difficult as it may be, praise Him. Thank him for the perseverance and the character that you are developing. Keep your eyes on Him. Cling close to those who love the Lord..

To those of you who are sitting pretty in the Promised land. Look behind you. You've been through the wilderness, and have finally made it out. God is Good!! Look closer. There are people in that very same wilderness you were in. Look for the signs. You know exactly what they are. You radiated these signs and these very silent cries for help when you were there. Reach out your hand. Lend your shoulder. People in the wilderness need to see your compassion. Look even further, to Egypt. Remember the bondage of your sin? Pray for those who are still enslaved there. Offer them God's love, even if you feel they are undeserving. Remember why we are able to love? God's love enables us to love others... and his love is perfect, unconditional.


Hebrews 3: 7-19, Holman Christian Standard
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
    Today, if you hear His voice,
    8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
    on the day of testing in the desert,
    9 where your fathers tested Me, tried [ Me ],
    and saw My works 10 for 40 years.
    Therefore I was provoked with this generation
    and said, "They always go astray in their hearts,
    and they have not known My ways."
    11 So I swore in My anger,
    "They will not enter My rest." (E) (F)
    12 Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. 13 But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today , so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception. (G) 14 For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality [e] that we had at the start. (H) 15 As it is said:
    Today, if you hear His voice,
    do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. (I) (J)
    16 For who heard and rebelled? Wasn't it really all who came out of Egypt under Moses? (K)17 And with whom was He "provoked for 40 years"? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert? (L) 18 And to whom did He "swear that they would not enter His rest," if not those who disobeyed? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.


If you are looking for someone to talk to in complete confidence email me at 
megan{dot}volnoff{at}blogspot.com
i love you.
really.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

You are so precious! I love seeing how God uses you to reach people!

Popular Posts