Jesus is the Way

The Obstacle Can Become the Blessing – Karen Austin

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We know the story of Moses in Exodus where he was given the assignment to set God’s people free. He was well aware of his shortcomings and bravely stated them to God, as if God didn’t already know. Moses was given an assignment that was so big, that it would have to take the supernatural to fulfill it. Time after time, God showed Himself greater than any acts the magicians of Pharaoh could perform. He allowed calamity and even death upon the Egyptian’s first born, yet all the while keeping His people safe. He even caused the Egyptians to give them gold, silver and clothing as they exited that place of slavery. All was looking good to the Israelites. After over 400 years, they were finally being set free from slavery.

We read that Moses and his people set out from Egypt and came to the place where they knew they had to cross. All they saw was an obstacle in front of them…the Red Sea. I would say that is quite the obstacle. Then they heard the hoof beats of the Egyptian army horses coming up behind them! Six hundred of the finest warriors were now coming in from behind. Once again, the Israelites forgot the bigness of their God.

Exodus 14:21 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided,”

That body of water was holding them back from crossing over into what God had promised them. But God dried up what was holding them back. The Israelites had to make a decision to cross over as Moses held his staff over the sea. God made a way where there was absolutely no way, but it took faith for them to make the step.

Another place we read of water being an obstacle is in 1 Kings 17. Ahab was the most evil of the kings of the land. Elijah was told by God to flee after he pronounced a drought in Israel until the Lord instructed him to decree the drought be lifted. He was instructed to go and remain by the Brook Cherith. At this place the ravens would feed him and he was to drink water from the brook. But after a while, the brook dried up.

God told Elijah to camp there. The ravens were feeding him, but the brook dried up. Elijah had not been disobedient. But God had a purpose in drying up the brook. He had another assignment for him. Elijah was told to go to the home of a widow in Zarephath. There the widow had food. Elijah had a roof over his head.

Some of you may have recently experienced that which was going well in your life or ministry just dry up. You were obeying God and kept your heart pure. It could very well be that God is drying up that which is holding you back. There may be something even better that before you, a Zarephath, but you have to release that which was and step out into that which will be.

All of us will face obstacles before us as the Israelite’s and Elijah. But as we put our faith in the One who knows our destiny, we will be given a way to cross over and enter in, regardless of what we are facing. The Father knows how to dry up that which is holding you bank and He knows when to dry up that which has been your sustenance so you will go on to your next place of assignment

The Consistency of God – Karen Austin

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Life is filled with so many twists and turns. Even those who love to plan believe things will go on as they are if they remain diligent in our efforts. But things happen we never imagine happening…the job ending, a spouse wanting a divorce after many years of marriage, family moving, unexpected illness, Covid. Each of us can all fill in the ____ of life events you did not expect.

None of us know how many “new beginnings” we will have in our lives. We can reason, pray, plan or be stubborn and try to hold onto what was. Although, if we do this, we may very well miss the next step in this journey called life.

One thing I have found in life, the only thing that is consistent is God. His love for us never changes no matter what we do. There is nothing you can do that would make Him love you any less. His Word is always true. When people failed me, when jobs transitioned out, when a health crisis in our family lingered on, when my child and my father passed within twenty-two months, when I didn’t know how I could make it…through every one, He was faithful. That is who He is, faithful.

When you have relationship with Him, you know He will be there for you, even when others are not. He will make a way when there seems to be none. If we choose to yield our lives to Him, He will orchestrate all things to the counsel of His will. Which is always better (even though it may not look like at the time). There is not one thing, not one thing that has happened or will happen that He is now aware of and has a way for you to come out on the other side. Things may not look the same as they did, but you will see a stronger, more resilient you facing your next “new beginning”.

Isaiah 40:2-3 “When you pass through the deep, stormy sea, you can count on me to be there with you.When you pass through raging rivers,You will not drown. When you walk through persecution like fiery flames, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you, for I am your Savior, Yahweh, your mighty God, the Holy One of Israel!”

Made You Look – Karen Austin

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I was traveling home yesterday and saw I sign along the highway that read “Made you look.” Yes, it did make me look..lol. Its purpose was to emphasize the power of a sign. The intent was for you read the sign and agree with the power of a sign and then rent it to promote your business.

Signs are not only billboards but anything that is done to draw your attention to what the advertisers want you to look at. Today, we are witnessing so many signs in the earth that are saying “Look at me.” There are many movements that are screaming at us to buy into their beliefs.

One of the signs we are witnessing is violence and unrest in our nation. How many of us are glued to our television to see if anyone has been hurt or cities destroyed? Some are looking to the next politician to see whether they will speak peace and unity or speak words that will incite the anger. Signs of violence are causing the whole world to focus on division and to believe there is so much hate towards other people groups that there will never be unity and equality. This is a not true! Remember, a house divided cannot stand. This is the purpose of the enemy. He hates unity because he knows great power is released when we are in unity. “How truly wonderful and delightful to see brothers and sisters living together in sweet unity! It’s as precious as the sacred scented oil flowing from the head of the high priest Aaron, dripping down upon his beard and running all the way down to the hem of his priestly robes. This heavenly harmony can be compared to the dew dripping down from the skies upon Mount Hermon, refreshing the mountain slopes of Israel. For from this realm of sweet harmony God will release his eternal blessing, the promise of life forever! Psalm 133:1-3

Another sign that we are seeing displayed and requiring our attention are the words of Jesus. He said in this world, we would have pressures and tribulation but that we are to rejoice, because He has overcome the world. This means we too have overcome the world! As we live, move and have our being in Him we will be protected and will walk in great authority! We will become signs and wonders that point to Christ!

Jesus warned the religious by saying. “You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.” Luke 12:56. Jesus specifically told His disciples what the signs of the times would be as the end of the age appears. “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:3-8.

The enemy knows his time is short. So between now and the time of Jesus’ return, we will experience much turmoil in the earth and signs in the heavens. We must be looking as the signs that Jesus gave us in His Word. He said “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

This will be the greatest times of the church. The world is looking for leaders who will give them hope and truth. They are looking for those who will give them hope and a promise. The only place the world will truly find healing from the hurt, injustice and division in the world is in the gospel of the Kingdom. Here is where we find comfort, our true identity and purpose.

So in this time of great turmoil, it is up to each of us to choose which sign we will give our attention to. What sign will you read and agree with the power of that sign? What sign will you become and promote?

“A Jewish man living there named Ananias came to see me. He was a godly man who lived according to the Law of Moses and was highly esteemed by the Jewish community. He stood beside me and said, ‘Saul! My brother, Saul—open your eyes and see again!’ At that very instant I opened my eyes and I could see! Then he said to me, ‘The God of our ancestors has destined you to know his plan and for you to see the Holy One and to hear his voice. For you will be his witness to every race of people and will share with them everything that you’ve seen and heard. So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins as you call upon his name.” Matthew 22:12-16.

You have been destined to know His plan and to hear His voice. You are called to be His witness to every race of people and share the good news of His love for them.