Here is one of the actual assignments for the blog hop from the Stressed-Less OBS...
2. Power Surge. We’ve all experienced a power surge, one that brings our appliances into overload, popping circuit breakers, and blowing fuses. Well experiencing God’s presence is a whole other kind of power surge! Share a time when you have felt God’s presence in a profound way, or hear His voice speak directly to your heart.
Just this week I was feeling a little lost. Without going into an overload of information, I was just needing to take a break for a moment and read my Bible (I don't want to get too stressed out you know!). It had been a good day and a bad day all mixed up into one regular day :) The girls had been arguing and my pork loin supper had once again been rejected by my little one. Daddy was running late, and my mind had been bogged with some questions we were seeking answers to as a family. I put my oldest one in the shower, my little one in front of the TV (I know...oh the horror!) and grabbed my Bible. "Just 2 minutes Lord, that 's all I have, but I need something." A little piece of paper was hanging out of my Bible and I saw 2 Chronicle 20 typed on it. "Lord, no offence, but I don't remember too many encouraging things happening in Chronicles! What could I possibly learn from that?" But I kept staring and decided to turn. There, written in the margins by 2 Chronicles 20 in my own handwriting was this..."In times of despair...1) Look unto Him 2) Wait on Him 3) Trust Him"
I couldn't believe my eyes as I read it over and over. Just the peace and words I needed at that exact moment!
2 Chronicles 20 is about a battle with king Jehoshaphat in Judah and the Moabites and Ammonites. In verses 3-4 we read "And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD."
They sought the Lord's guidance and they knew He would answer them. They cried unto Him, verse 9, and they knew He would "hear and help". Jehoshaphat received his own power surge when the Lord answered and said in verse 17, "fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you." And in the end, the battle was won, and there was peace. Verses 29-30, "And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about."
Jehoshaphat was fearful, maybe even had some anxiety and stress as to what to do, but he prayed and the Lord delivered them and "gave him rest round about."
That is the same God we worship now that Jehoshaphat called upon then. He is the same God that can give us peace and rest. We can cry to Him at anytime and He will help us. We just have to "Look to Him, Wait on Him, and Trust Him"!
That was my power surge this week! If you are feeling overwhelmed or discouraged or stressed, ask God to place a verse or devotion or something in your path to send you peace and a power surge that could only be from HIM!
Today's Verse
2 Chronicles 20:15b "Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours but God's."
I love this, thanks for sharing your story. I always think, I don't have time for the bible, etc. But God can do anything, even with a few minutes time. I also like the 'today's verse'...'for the battle is not yours, but God's'. That is so comforting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words! I love "God can do anything, even with a few minutes time."...that is so true. Some of my most encouraging moments with the Lord have been when I only had two minutes to read. :)
DeleteDon't you just LOVE how God will use something seemingly insignificant or from some unlikely place to breathe a little life and energy back into us? I so enjoyed reading your power surge moment!
ReplyDeleteThank you! God always provides the right words we need exactly when we need them!
DeleteIsn't it amazing how God can get our attention! I loved your story!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you liked it! We just need to be paying attention to the gentle nudge of the Spirit and never doubt what He can speak to us through any passage!
DeleteLove your power surge this week. A nugget to glean from. Thanks for sharing. Debbie W. (OBS Group Leader)
ReplyDeleteThank you Debbie W. My mom is Debbie W., but she would never figure out how to leave a comment! :) God Bless!
DeleteWhat a blessing! Thanks so much for sharing your power surge; it has helped me tremendously. I work as a leader of 13 women, and they are 13 of the cattiest women I have ever met. They drain me tattling on each other and wanting to throw each other under the bus. I even have three who would love to have my position. It can be quite stressful, like today. I continuously pray about the situation, but it hasn't gotten any better. Reading your post brought me so much peace, knowing that all I need to do is look to Him, trust Him, and wait on Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! You and your situation will definitely be in my prayers. Something about women working together...unfortunately it can be discouraging sometimes. I know God has a plan for this difficult time! I read this morning, "And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise." Hebrews 6:15. I know God perform a miracle in your workplace!
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