Come back to Me

Doing life with God, or without God

In God’s Word, He tells us here that He is our protector. That is, if we allow Him to be.

“How blessed you are, O Israel! Who else is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your protecting shield and your triumphant sword!” Deuteronomy 33:29 (NLT)

”Like a thick cloud, I wipe away your offenses; like a cloud, your sins.
Come back to me, for I have redeemed you.”
Isaiah 44:22 (CJB)

See, Adonai wants to protect you.

Why does God allow pain in your life?

Have you walked away from God when things didn’t go your way? Have you chosen to throw yourself outside of His protection because He didn’t answer your prayers the way you expected? It’s in those painful moments that He is protecting you from things you can not see. He is whispering for you to come back to Him. He wants to show you how much He loves you and will continue to protect you in the dark wilderness moments, if you allow Him. You may not realize it but you are looking for the very thing He wants to give you if you will walk “with Him” through your pain.

It’s in the dark moments together that you learn how deeply He loves you and fiercely protects you. It’s the dark moments where you draw close to Him and He uses those moments to build your character and your testimony. Paul says in His letters to the communities in the Second Testament of the Bible, that he glories in his weaknesses because they draw him closer to God. In other words, rather than getting mad at God for the tough moments in life, welcome them because they are teaching moments and they connect you with God on a deeper level of relationship.

The Wilderness journey

In the book of Exodus, we begin a journey with the Israelites headed towards the Promised land. When Moses arrived to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, they were living a heavily burdened life. They had been praying for relief and when it showed up in the body form of Moses, they did what he said. He told them about a Promised Land that God had for them and they were eager to follow. Did they assume that they were headed straight there and it would be open, available, and move-in ready? Did they even think about anything other than getting out of Egypt at the time? God said let’s go and they said ok.

What they didn’t realize at the time God was inflicting the plagues on Egypt, was that they weren’t ready to go straight to the Promised land yet. It was already in God’s plan to walk with them every step of their wilderness journey to prune, refine, teach, and prepare them prior to their arrival. God did not plan to take them straight there, He had much to do to get them ready for what was to come. What they couldn’t know or see is that the land was inhabited with giants and evil people who did not serve the God of Heaven. They weren’t prepared for giants or anything else for that matter. They needed to heal from the abuse they had been under, and learn to trust God wholeheartedly. Our lives are similar in so many ways.

They had been so beaten down by their oppressors in their Egypt, that they were not prepared to fight the giants yet. Even though the Promised land was a gift from God, there would still be challenges to overcome and battles to fight every day.

God does not give you a dream and immediately put you out there unprepared. That would be like giving a newborn baby table food; the baby has to learn and grow first. Even with gifts and dreams you receive from God, there are evils of this world that will attack you every day to keep you from what God has given you. Without His coverage of protection, you will lose every battle. Maybe you won’t lose right away, but you will lose if you have chosen to do life without Him.

In His abundant grace and mercy, He teaches you slowly and repetitively with so much patience to help you learn.

“For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” Isaiah 28:10 (ESV)

Yes, there are many that mock God and His processes, saying, they don’t work, or they are too slow in coming. (Isaiah 28:13) While simultaneously making a covenant with the devil to do it his way, the world’s way, “I want it now, and I want it my way!” (Isaiah 28:15)

God responds by saying,

“therefore here is what Adonai Elohim says: “Look, I am laying in Tziyon a tested stone, a costly cornerstone, a firm foundation-stone; he who trusts will not rush here and there.” Isaiah 28:16. (CJB)

His love is so clear where He is telling you in the book of Isaiah, in the First Testament, that He will send His son so that you will have hope and not need to fear or run around looking for help any longer. He says that He will forgive all your sins and cancel your covenant with the devil through the death of His son, Jesus the Messiah. (Isaiah 28:17).

Will you believe? Will you follow Him? Will you wait on Him? Will you go at His pace and trust Him in every storm, every battle?

The Rock

God is showing you truth in His Word that He wants you to study cover to cover in your “Daily Bread” moments with Him. He is showing you here, the firm foundation on which your faith can be built on and withstand whatever comes your way, His son, Jesus the Messiah.

“As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”
Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:6-10 (NLT)

Jesus is our cornerstone, our Rock!, our firm foundation, our trying stone, our crying stone, our “touching stone!” He is the best friend you have always wanted and searched for throughout your life and never found. Someone that is always there for you, understands you better than any human, that will never judge you or condemn you, and will love you unconditionally, giving you the best advice for your life because He can see the bigger picture – your life as a whole – that is part of His Master Plan, that He wrote. For those who say, “I want a friend I can see and touch,” like Thomas said when He didn’t believe the other disciples had seen the Risen Savior, Jesus is your “touching stone”!!!

His touch is more real that anything you can see or feel with your hands. The Holy Spirit who lives inside those who believe in Him and follow His ways wholeheartedly, are continually in a state of being held by Him in a perpetual hug.

“Living between “THE” shoulders”

“Of Binyamin he said: “Adonai’s beloved lives securely. He protects him day after day. He lives between his shoulders.”  Deuteronomy 33:12 (CJB)

That scripture is saying that Adonai’s “beloved” (His followers) are protected day after day between His shoulders. That, by definition, is a “HUG!” We live in His embrace when we stay close and follow Him wholeheartedly. He is our “touching stone.” It doesn’t get any better than that.

One of the countless benefits of having Jesus as your best friend, is being able to talk to Him non-stop, all day, any time. He is a breath away, a prayer away. He is constantly with you; loving you, guiding you, teaching you, protecting you. You are never alone!

“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Out of the boat moments

When He calls you out of the boat, it’s quite scary. Guess what? You don’t have to dread scary moments when He is with you. Scary moments can be good if you are focused on Him and walking through life together because He is protecting you every step. What’s horrifyingly scary is the thought of trying to do life’s scary moments without Him.

He is WITH US ALWAYS! That means He is with us in our battles, and also in our grief. He wants us to cling to Him every step of every day. Remember when Jesus asked Peter to step out of the boat? Peter was scared but he trusted Jesus when He said “don’t be afraid, take courage, I am here.” With great fear and trepidation, he stepped out in faith in Jesus. Peter was actually walking across the water, up and over the stormy waves, until…he took His eyes off Jesus, then he began to sink. (Matthew 14)

When he began to sink he shouted to Jesus, “save me, Lord.”

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him!

“You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31 (NLT)

When we take our eyes off of Jesus, walk away, turn away, throw ourselves outside of His protection, etc., we SINK just like Peter. We mustn’t allow distractions or fear to cause us to lose our focus on our Savior.  As soon as Peter realized he had taken his eyes off of Him, he cried out to Jesus and scripture says “He immediately reached out and grabbed him.” He says, “Take courage. I am here!” We have no need to fear, Jesus is here.

“You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone.” Deuteronomy 10:20 (NLT)

Jesus is waiting for you to turn back to Him, to repent, and put your focus back on Him and follow His ways wholeheartedly. (Deuteronomy 30:10-11) His commands are not to hard and in them you will find the depth of His love for you.

Choosing to do life without God

For those who chose not to follow Him, the Bible is clear about the judgment coming their way.

“Terrors frighten him on every side, and chase him at his heels.” Job 18:11 (ESV)

For those who chose to do life without God, to believe the lies of the enemy, listen to the lies of this world that tell them that they don’t need God, God doesn’t care about their needs, they feel rejected by God, or feel unworthy to call on God, they have built their life on sinking sand. When the hailstorm comes, they will be washed away in the flood.

“Adonai has someone strong and powerful. He comes like a hailstorm, a destructive tempest, like a flood of water, rushing, overwhelming; with his hand he hurls them to the ground.” Isaiah 28:2 (CJB)

Those that make anything their hiding place other than Jesus will be washed away. The only safe place is in His “Ark” of protection. Just like the flood of Noah’s time in the book of Genesis chapter 6, only those in God’s Ark will survive judgement.

“Therefore, listen to this message from the LORD, you scoffing rulers in Jerusalem. You boast, “We have struck a bargain to cheat death and have made a deal to dodge the grave. The coming destruction can never touch us, for we have built a strong refuge made of lies and deception.” Isaiah 28:14-15 (NLT)

“Again and again that flood will come, morning after morning, day and night, until you are carried away.” This message will bring terror to your people.” Isaiah 28:19 (NLT)

Those who boast that they don’t need God and He won’t touch them, are blinded to the truth. They have listened to the lies of the world that they don’t need Him, deluding themselves that they can mock God and there will be no consequences. The plans you make without Him are pointless. You are spinning your wheels like a hamster on a spinning wheel. Your efforts will never be enough.

“The bed you have made is too short to lie on. The blankets are too narrow to cover you.” Isaiah 28:20 (NLT)

This reference is just like the “fig leaves” Adam and Eve sewed together without God to cover their nakedness, it wasn’t “enough.” Even in their sin, God showed His mercy covering them and protecting them.

“Adonai, God, made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 (CJB)

They had to pay the consequences for their sins, but God still loved them and protected them. He feels the same way about you. Turn back to Him and repent, and choose to follow Him wholeheartedly.

Hope and truth

This blog is not meant to scare you or condemn you. It’s meant to show you how much God loves you in spite of your sins, and to teach you the truth about what He says and what His plans are for you. This blog is meant to teach you truth and stir your heart to lead you back to the beginning, Genesis 1:1, so He can walk you through His Word together.

This is why it is important to study God’s Word to know the signs He is warning about that will surely come. He sent Isaiah to warn us. His ancient words are relevant today.

“Now stop your mocking, or your chains will become heavier; the Lord, the LORD Almighty, has told me of the destruction decreed against the whole land.” Isaiah 28:22 (NLT)

It’s in His Word that you will learn who God really is, not who the world says He is. Here is just one tiny example of who King David said He is,

“So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The LORD did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”).“ 2 Samuel 5:20 NLT

He is the “Lord of the breakthrough!”

He is your God who will breakthrough whatever challenges or battles come your way. He will only do that if you will choose Him and allow Him into your life and live for Him wholeheartedly.

What to do while we await His return

He beckons us to keep listening to Him, keep following Him, it’s not much further, keep trusting Him.

“Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.” Isaiah 28:23 (CJB)

Keep plowing the fields, plants the seeds, and watering them. It won’t be much longer. Stay in His Word and allow Him to transform you by the renewing of your mind and by giving you a heart of flesh from a heart of stone. He teaches us and continues to give us instructions. Listen. There will still be tough times as you follow Him, but He will be with you every step; cling to His hand and never let go. He is wonderful and His wisdom is great. (Isaiah 28:24-29)

“Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.” 1 Corinthians 9:10 (NLT)

Choices

“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLT)

Allow the Father to transform you and prepare your heart to receive His truth straight into your heart, soul, and mind. Your “daily bread” studies will prepare your heart to be fertile ground for His Word to take root and grow in you. Then, He is able to use you and work His plan for which He created you.

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for showing me hope for my life today. Thank you for showing me that I’ve been running away from you trying to do life on my own. Thank you for forgiving me of all my sins and for showing me your truth. I give you permission to teach me, prune, refine in the fire, shape me, mold me into who you created me to be. Thank you, Father, that it’s not too late for me to turn to you. Thank you that you love me inspite of my sins, and cover me with your protection. Show me, Father, show me truth, and what step to take next.

Amen

“Give us each day our daily bread” Luke 11:3 (ESV)

“Put everything to the test. Hold on to what is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NIrV)

““I am the LORD, and I do not change. That is why you descendants of Jacob are not already destroyed.” Malachi 3:6