Everyday Miracles

My life has been filled with trials and miracles, sometimes both at the very same time! God has brought me on a journey to a place of embracing faith and trusting Him through anything. It hasn't been easy, but when we can allow God to speak to us and show us His perspective in any situation or circumstance, we position ourselves for Him to turn what was meant for evil in our lives into blessings--and a miracle occurs each time!

I have been a believer for many years now and have been learning to experience the supernatural on a regular basis. No, I don't talk with angels everyday or see the dead raised, but I do see God's hand in the simplest things sometimes. I have gained insight by traveling through some unbelievably difficult circumstances to trust God that He sees things much differently. We don't have to wait until we are at our wits end to ask God to reveal His purpose and plan in our trial. He is waiting to hear us call Him and ask from the beginning, in fact to ask to see His perspective each day when we awake, before we even open our eyes. He desires our friendship so much that He constantly gives little hints of His presence in our lives each and every day--just to see if we will notice and receive His blessing. To me this is the greatest miracle in my life, God loves me! Every moment of every day, in sickness and in health, in my weakness and when I shine with His glory--He knows my heart better than I do myself and God still loves me.

I have recently traveled through a valley under the shadow of death. An unknown severe blood infection caused my husband to nearly die seven times in 2007. Through the prayers of faith of family and friends from around the world we have seen many miraculous healings and financial provision. Without their prayers of faith combined with our absolute trust in our faithful God, we could not have passed through this devastating time. I now live with a walking and breathing miracle! My husband, Duane, a pastor for many years, has been transformed by God's hand into His vessel for His glory. I always believed he was one of God's chosen. He had already been a man of humility and sacrifice with a huge anointing on his life to reach those in Africa, Israel (where we lived) and the nations. But God had even greater plans for his life in his later years. Like Job, whom Satan planned to harm and God planned to bless, Duane’s end will be multiplied blessings.

It is an amazing blessing to watch first hand as the anointing of God rests on him today as he speaks prayers and blessings led by the Holy Spirit. His life shines with the reflection of one who has had a brush with death. He often responds with prophetic insight and has a different perspective that could only be known by a gift of knowledge and wisdom from God. Humility and grace abound in his speech and actions. Watching him walk under a cloud of Father God's favor, where doctors, officials and even strangers treat him with honor like he is an important dignitary is astounding to see. We are living each day in a new revelation of the supernatural. It is an amazing journey that we have only just begun I am sure!

That isn't to say it isn't a difficult journey. Having your husband transformed means he isn't the man you married. That can be a shocking revelation, especially if you really liked the way he was before. But I am also finding that God's grace and mercy is a miracle which abounds towards me as I ask Him to help me through all the little things that seem so difficult each day. The burdens and responsibilities that have multiplied to my shoulders because of the effects of his illness are impossible for me to bear alone. Yet God says, "Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Every day with God is a miracle as we live as citizens in His Kingdom, all and only for His glory. The showers of His blessings of mercy and grace are the best miracles of all!

**For details of this testimony you can purchase Ruth’s recently release book, Trusting God through the Valley, through her website.

God's Love towards Us

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us...

1 John 4:10

I realized today that I don't really know the love of God. I have not understood it, nor have I embraced it. I have been reluctant to receive the fullness He offers, and most horribly, I have not loved others with the love of God, as He would love have me love them. Thankfully the Father's love towards us (towards me) does not condemn my failure, nor my weakness. That's the whole point.

My version of love has been based on soulish, selfish gain. I loved to be loved--by my parents as a child and later by God. It didn't matter to me if my spouse, children or friends found me unlovable--I didn't care because I knew God loved me. I was willing to totally dedicate myself to pleasing God. Any sin or selfishness--weakness--in me was put under control of my spirit--submitted to the Holy Spirit. God's strength came through to overshadow my weakness with His strength--for His glory. I hate my weaknesses. I even encouraged others to trust God to overcome any weakness that might beset them. All good and scriptural, however: The wholeness and fullness of God's love fills our weakness without always necessarily removing it.

I recently heard Pastor Tom Smardz say, "God himself has a weakness, it is us." God loves us! This is in spite of our weaknesses, our ungodliness. While we were yet sinners, God loved us so much that He sent His son Jesus to die in our place so that we could be reconciled to a holy, righteous, and just God. I only need to accept Him for who He is--my Lord and my God. He loves us in an unconditional way beyond our comprehension. I am my Father's weakness--yet he accepts me and loves me, filling my weakness with His love for His glory.

My own weakness is my husband's current illness. His illness has made him very different than the man I married--at least temporarily. Our changed lives, my responsibilities and my caring for him exhausts me so much that I feel I have no energy to be who God has called me to be. In fact my personality and character flaws are now brought out by him, instead of my gifts, talents--my best--as it once was, when we would minister together. I often abhor myself when my attitude and sharp tongue fall far short of God's love and mercy. I miss the opportunity to honor my husband--when he needs it most.

Yet I am absolutely powerless to change--for the first time in my life I feel really powerless in this situation. I trust God, I have faith that He can do something to redeem the situation. However, I can only throw up my hands in further frustration, as I seem to sink lower instead of rising above my sin and weakness. I have often felt a bit like Job. But for the first time in my life, I really feel as if I am sitting on an ash heap--scraping my hideous boils with a sharp rock--alone--with no one to really confide in. Friends encourage me pointing out my godly responses and basically perpetuating my hatred of my weakness--yet this weakness is the cross that I am to take up, to embrace, so that God can transform me and the situation.

Jesus took up His cross submitting to an unjust death, rejection and torture. In His submission the entire scenario transformed from what appeared to be Satan's greatest victory--into Satan's ultimate defeat. The cross is a heavy, back breaking burden--too much to bear. Yet we are told to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Denying yourself the little things in life prepares you to carry the cross the Lord has destined for you in your path towards Christ-likeness. Jesus' motivation was His love, that must be ours--to love as He loves. Pure and unquestioning love for God, trust and obedience, are indeed pleasing to God. However scripture states:

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

His grace is His love gift that cannot be earned and is never deserved. This perfect(mature/complete) love fills to overflowing as we allow Him to fill our weakness that we might reflect His glory in the midst of any trial. He is worthy of our trust. He is worthy of our praise. Always...

Copyright © 2008 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

God's Book of Remembrance

How often do we as believers get together with friends and family for fellowship? It can be at a worship service, over a meal or coffee, or a chance meeting on the street--perhaps even on a cell phone! We find ourselves rehearsing the testimony that the Lord has given us of how He has spoken to us this week, or blessed us with health, wisdom or miracles! We can't wait to share how God continues to smile upon our lives even when we are so far from perfect.

Recently we were previledged to spend the better part of a day with a very good friend. We shared our plans, our burdens and difficulties and then spent some time in prayer asking for God's Wisdom and Guidance, healing and grace. We continued talking of how God has been faithful to us through the adversity each of us has walked through during the past year. Each of us has some very difficult things we are currently going through--burdens which could really shake our faith. Yet we shared and encouraged each other God's Faithfulness. He is amazing! He intervenes and takes big impossibilities and turns them into blessings for His Glory. It is so exciting to sit and watch, with our minimal participation (and sometimes in spite of us), God will accomplish His plan and purpose in our lifes as we allow Him to. The more we cooperate the easier the path may be, but that doesn't usually mean easy paths and abundant provision. The Lord has orchestrated a beautifully complex mosaic of people's lifes that interconnect and His purposes are often to purify and beautify us from the inside out, all the while desiring to have more intimate relationships with us. That we might get to know Him more and more.

Most of us understand that the Lord desires to commune with us, even as He communed with Adam in the Garden of Eden. He sent Jesus to die a cruel death so that we might receive forgiveness through His shed Blood and be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus as Messiah. Jesus taught us to pray after the pattern of what we refer to as the Lord's Prayer. The Gospels tell of Jesus' relationship with the Father, drawing away from the crowds to spend intimate time with God. All that Jesus accomplished, was because He said and did only what He saw the Father saying and doing. Jesus is our example. It is absolutely essential for us in today's world to separate ourselves and spend time in the presence of God, even as Jesus did--if we want to walk in the Spirit as the Apostle Paul admonishes us.

But did you realize that Father God is also pleased when we boast in Him? When we share how our faithful God is blessing us and impacting our lives, intervening as we appeal to Him in Jesus' Name, when we tell others about answered prayer--God is listening with a smile on His face. Sharing testimonies, telling how we see God as Awesome, sharing our wonder and delight in His Word are all things that delight the Lord's heart.

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachai 3:16-18

A Book of Remembrance--a record for all eternity. You are considered a jewel in the Lord's eyes as you speak His praises! How He delights in our delight in Him! I pray that each of us will spend more time expounding on the goodness of God, His wonderful provision and protection--and most of all His Glorious Magnificance. May His presence manifest more and more in our lives that we might multiply our magnification of Him!

Copyright © 2008 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Show Me Thy Glory

In Exodus chapter 33 Moses is having a conversation with God. The Lord is speaking to Moses face to face, as a man talks with his friend, verse 11. Moses first acknowledges God's favor and blessing. He then asks that God's presence go with the children of Israel as they travel to the promised land. He is requesting God's favor and blessing to continue with them. When the Lord agrees, Moses asks to see the Glory of God. The Lord responds in verse 19,

And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

Then God hides Moses in the cleft of the rock, and allows him to view His backside, because no man can see the face of God and live-verse 23. Wow! It seems Moses was truly a privileged man to have such a relationship with the Father. Did he realize what he was asking? Did he know that this pleased God's heart because He wants relationship more than anything with his children? All the elders of Israel had rejected the presence of God. They pleaded with Moses to be an intermediary from the time God first began to converse with them on Mt. Sinai. Moses had to veil his face because of the residue of the presence of God could be seen on him--and the people couldn't handle it. It appears that among the people, only Joshua had the desire to be close to the Lord and Moses--verse 11.

There is enough in these verses to preach a sermon, or write a book, but I want to focus on Moses' personal request to see God's glory. It is important to view his request in context. Moses is not proud or haughty that he gets to have such intimate conversations with God. No one else wanted to be this close to God, and the Lord knew this about Moses when He called Moses from the burning bush back in Exodus 3. God's presence exposes every dark corner in our lives. Many of us would like to hide some things from everyone, including ourselves and God. Moses had laid himself bare before God, acknowledging his weaknesses and strengths. God in return began revealing Himself to Moses. Talking "face to face" means you listen, understand and can see from the other person's perspective on many topics. Anyone can "see" miracles that appear before their eyes, like the Israelites saw the Red Sea part, but few see the miracles that abound in our lives daily. They are the key to seeing God's glory.

For many years science has been exploring atoms. Though too small to see, they also reflect God's glory. Scientists have broken down the atom into subatomic particles and continue to attempt to discover more at this level. In 2004, the Nobel Prize for Physics [1] was given for theoretical contributions making it possible to complete the Standard Model of Particle Physics, the model that describes the smallest objects in Nature and how they interact. Scientists have broken down the forces of nature into four basic forces. Physics uses the term "strong force" or "colour force" to describe the force which holds the atom together. This is just one of the 4 forces of nature which they have had so much difficulty in explaining. The Bible tells us that it is by Jesus, that all things 'consist' (KJV)--or hold together. Red, blue and green quarks and their corresponding anti-red, anti-blue and anti-green anti-quarks in the nuclei of atoms are man's attempt to explain the 'force' holding atoms and the Universe together. We know that the creator of the Universe, is also the Force which gives us the 4 known basic forces of Nature. His name is Jesus.

Think about this. We are often in awe that the Lord would care about the details of our lives. Yet He cares enough to have designed the Universe itself to reflect His glory at every level. The Bible tells us the heavens declare the glory of God. Yet the further we explore space and simultaneously the more we do atomic research, it all points to the Great Designer and Creator, Jesus. You see God's signature is in every cell of our being, the molecules that make up our world and the atoms that are the building blocks of the entire universe. We just don't look from the perspective that allows us to see Him in it all.

Seeing God's glory is all about our perspective. We all know people who are negative or too positive in their perspective in life. Both are difficult to be around very much. As an example, on the negative side, I have met people who have a perspective of looking for a demonic cause for every little adversity. Yet not all problems are caused by demons. Some are caused by the flesh and some are simply caused by living in the world. On the positive side” few of us haven’t met someone whose bubbly conversations concerning their pets, the weather or even a relative’s funeral—make us wonder if they are on drugs or just out of touch with reality. We must keep a proper balance on Scripture and our perspective of God and the world we live in. If we hold to the Father’s perspective and really seek to have a 'face to face' relationship with him as Moses did, we will be positioning ourselves to see the Father’s glory and begin to see it and experience it in our lives. His glory is there--we haven't positioned ourselves to see it revealed.

There are some good songs, which are popular today, about seeing God's glory. Seeing God's glory doesn't mean seeing gold dust or a misty cloud, feathers or any other 'manifestation', although any of those may accompany His glory. Remember, our God is a consuming fire, Deuteronomy 4:24. All the dross, all the selfishness, anything that is not valuable from a heavenly perspective may be vaporized in God's presence. This means your house, your ministry, your retirement funds, even your family... Remember Job? His 10 adult children died in one day. He lost everything, including his health. Yet he was in God's will and God's plan for bringing ultimate blessings and glory. That was the Lord's intent all along. Hmmm... What are we willing to turn over to God? What price are we willing to pay to see His glory? ALL, is the only correct answer. We need to spend time in His presence and in His Word, to develop a relationship and perspective where we begin to see His glory in all the earth as well as reflect His glory in our own lives.

[1] http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/2004/public.html

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 119:1-8

a Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It's 176 verses are purposefully divided into sections by the letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

a -Aleph
The psalmist's assumption is that it is most desirable to be "blessed". Blessed are the undefiled, those who walk in holiness, a living transcript of the ways of God (2 Corinthians 3:3).

How do we enter into such blessings? Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. This is the key to this portion of Psalms 119, and indeed to the key to salvation. We know that salvation is not found in purely obeying the letter of the Law, but in loving the Lord with all our heart, our soul, mind and our strength. The writer is using a continuous present tense. You can't find Jesus one day and keep Him in your pocket for the rest of your life and expect to be blessed. Seeking God is a process which takes place over your entire life-time. God promises to respond to our seeking Him (2 Chronicles 15:2, Proverbs 8:17, Jeremiah 29:13).

It is this kind of seeking God which enables us to hold the ways of God in high esteem because we love Him. Our love for God and His grace, give us the sincere desire and ability beyond ourselves to obey the Law. The Word of God tells us that in the latter days, God will write His Law on men's hearts (Jeremiah 31:33). His Love will at that point constrain us to reject the ways of evil, and embrace Righteousness and Truth.

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 103

Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul. Psalms 103:1-22

This Psalm of David is a Psalm of Psalms. It brings us into the absolute high praises of God. Beginning with David's revelation of God's mercy shown to himself, his pen aptly reminds us of our own blessings and His mercies in our lives. David begins by addressing his own soul. Regardless of any thoughts or emotions, he reminds himself of God's absolute forgiveness which cancels the effects of sin--sickness, disease, death. Rather than receiving what we deserve as sinful men, God instead grants blessings of protection and provision. David acknowledges God's strength for the elderly and the oppressed. He recognizes it is the Lord who not only commands, but also is the executor of righteousness and justice for the widows and orphans--the poor and the oppressed. God is GOD.

The Psalm continues with further reminders of Moses--both his personal relationship with God and as the deliver, prophet, and law giver of Israel. Moses was the man to whom God spoke "face to face". He then brought all that God taught him to the people of Israel in the form of the written law. God confirmed His Word given through Moses by the signs, wonders and miracles shown to all Israel. The law teaches us how to worship God, pointing out man's ultimate inability to please God by perfect obedience--and yet the focus AGAIN is God's mercy. He remembers we are dust! We are His creation--unable to redeem ourselves--in desperate need of His saving grace. God's provision for removing our transgressions for those who fear Him--provides everlasting access to the throne room of grace, the inner courts of heaven.

What does it mean, "for those who fear Him"--"for those who keep His commandments"? The outward signs that you have a reverent respect or fear of God could be shown by whether or not you keep His commandments--the Law. But, if you are a really disciplined person you could appear to be keeping the Law--but your heart would be the proof of whether you are obeying because you love God and want to please Him, or because you want to avoid the consequences of disobedience. The first commandment is to love the Lord God with all your heart, your soul, your mind and your strength--if you can't choose that as the primary objective in your life, the other commandments can only be obeyed to avoid the consequences or for your own pride--to look good to others or even to God. But God knows our hearts. It takes a heart turned completely toward God to begin to understand His ways, His perspective, His love for us and others. David had such a heart and this Psalm is written from the perspective of this kind of relationship with his God. David was not perfect. He recognized and admitted his sin, his mistakes, his need for God's forgiveness--without pride or excuses.

David's love and gratitude for the Lord crescendos in an appeal beyond the praises of his own soul and the men and women of God's creation to all the angelic hosts. He recognizes that they of course have purpose in God's Kingdom and in His plan of redeeming creation and he invites them to join in this song of high praise. This is a song of praise of God Himself, not merely the things He has done--but who He is. David's invitation for all of creation is unabashed, unreserved praise for Almighty God. I pray that you and I can enter in today to this high form of worship with pure hearts and self-abandoned love for the King of the universe, blessed be His Holy Name!

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 91

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalms 91:1-16

Psalms 91 is a Psalm most noted for being a Psalm of protection. Many a soldier goes off to war, even today, with this Psalm on the lips of those he knows who have promised to pray for him. The soldiers themselves who know the Bible will recite it and pray it for themselves and their comrades. My oldest son was one of those who had committed this Psalm to his heart when he was 5 years old and was thankful for the promise of God and the prayers of us who not only prayed this Psalm for him daily--but really believed that God would protect him. And He did!

My son has many testimonies today of God's saving grace in wartime. Against the wise advice of his mother, he was not always able to stay in his M1 tank. There were 3 day missions where they hid in the bushes waiting for snipers to set up near them to attack the passing convoys. There were the never ending roadside checkpoints where suicide bombers and various stressed and crazy people do dangerous things. Even their camp had incessant barrages of RPGs as they walked from barracks to mess and dove under the tanks for protection when they heard that familiar whistling sound of an incoming RPG.

We know of a young man here in Jerusalem who is in the IDF reserves and served in the Lebanon war, in July 2006. This young man is a believer and was on the front lines. The battle was so intense at times that he was known to be shouting Psalm 91--in the midst of firefights. His testimony to his fellow soldiers, as well as to us, was he trusted God for deliverance. He was also heard shouting, praying in tongues, as he fought with his troop for their lives. Once they took refuge in a house which was then attacked with anti-tank missiles. If you recall the destruction they cause you will know that God spared them--as the building remained intact and they were safe inside. Another time this young man found himself face to face with a grenade launcher pointed at him, not 3 feet away. There was a white blast and the attacker disappeared--God's grace left this young man unharmed.

Psalms 91 was the first scripture our family memorized together. Our faith took us through difficult times with growing faith in God's promise of protection and grace for whatever circumstances we found ourselves in. We lived this Psalm, we believed this Psalm, and all the rest of the Bible, as we grew in the Lord.

I would like to point out to you the last few verses of this Psalm where the wording changes from a prayer of protection to an answer to the prayer. God Himself answers this heart cry of His servant. The psalmist's cry is a cry of faith. He has seen God's hand move on his behalf and he expects that the Lord will be faithful to do it again and again--not only for himself, but for all those who put their trust in the Lord. It is not so much the words that he uses, he is only recalling to God the Father what He has already done and promised. This man knows the value of dwelling in that secret place in God. It is his unwavering faith, his confidence in the Lord, that God calls setting his love upon me--which moves God's heart to answer so tenderly. Can you just picture Father God looking down toward his beloved--a man who was not perfect, yet his heart responds completely toward God on every occasion of chastisement and correction, trials and attacks.

This love the Father has toward us whom He has created, is that same love that brought His Son, Jesus, to this earth to die for our sins--that we might be forever reconciled to God. When we respond to God with the kind of absolute love and trust that reflects His Love, it touches his heart. Just as when a toddler steps into Daddy's shoes and tries to imitate his father, God is moved by our admiration. His love is stirred and He responds with the promise to always respond. God not only will send his angels, but He Himself will respond to our need. We have God's attention, we have been given the gift of His favor and blessing. He only desires our loving, trust which results in absolute obedience and a burning desire to please Him. As we dwell in this place of trust in Him, we abide in His shadow of protection and blessing. Nothing can harm us, no weapon formed against us can prosper. Hallelujah!

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 118

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.
Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.
All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.
They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.
Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.
The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.
Psalms 118:1-17

This Psalm of David boldly declares that all should join in jubilant singing of God's mercy toward their king and the nation of Israel. God had given King David victory over the peoples that had risen up against Israel and God had established the nation of Israel in prosperity. David declares that it is not his own ability or strength that has caused Israel to be blessed, but it is God's mercy toward him and all Israel.

Mercy is a gift, not something you earn. The Bible has many occurrences of the word "mercy" or "mercies", 116 times in the Psalms alone. Of those, 42 times it declares God's mercies are for ever. David is boldly declaring that because God has been merciful and will always continue to be merciful, there is much cause for ALL Israel to be singing and rejoicing with thanksgiving for the never-ending mercies of God.

Because of God's unchanging mercy for the righteous we are guaranteed victory. Those who trust in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel (Jacob) are the righteous by definition in the book of Hebrews. Those who have circumcised hearts are the offspring of Abraham (Romans 4:11). Do we really believe and trust in God's mercy? So often we look for "solutions" to our problems from man's wisdom. God can of course use man, his logic and wisdom, to affect His Purposes, but He does that as we look to Him for the answers and truly trust in His mercy and faithfulness.

We cannot continue to look upon our situation, rather than trusting God to:

• answer you
• be on your side
• help you
• be your strength
• deliver you

so that in His Name YOU WILL DESTROY YOUR ENEMIES, because the Lord does valiantly!

Hallelujah! There is plenty to be thankful for, to sing and rejoice--no matter how bad things get or how bad they look. Remember that if you could just see for one moment God's perspective you would see that He is in control of every situation. And we are told that blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed (John 20:29). David was confident in God's ultimate victory and it caused His heart to overflow with joy and singing. He is the one who is called a friend of God.

May our hearts burn for that kind of confidence in God's mercy. Read it in the Word, and then begin to look for God's mercy in your life--expect it as David did. You will not be disappointed.

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 16

A Secret Treasure of David. Watch over me, O God; for in You do I put my trust. Oh my soul, you have said to Jehovah, You are my Lord; I have no goodness apart from You. As for the saints in the earth, they are the excellent, in whom is all my delight. But their sorrows shall be multiplied who run after another god. I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood; and I will not take their names on my lips. Jehovah is the portion of my inheritance, and of my cup; He shall uphold my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yea, I have a beautiful inheritance. I will bless Jehovah, who has given me wisdom; my heart also instructs me in the nights.

I have set Jehovah always before Me; because He is at My right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoices; My flesh also shall rest in hope; For You will not leave My soul in hell; You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will make Me know the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joys. At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:1-11

This special Psalm of David begins as a short simple prayer, then moves into David reminding himself of the goodness and faithfulness of God and ends with his confident declaration of his Hope in the Lord. What an amazing Psalm, and what a wonderful example of directing our petitions to the Lord. The Lord knows our needs before we ask. But He desires our communication so we must ask, and we must remind ourselves of His Goodness, as David does for much of this psalm. Once your soul embraces the Goodness of God, the declaration flows as a natural result of the expectancy that God will be faithful and that there is indeed no greater expectancy or desire than to live eternally in His presence.

David is not just speaking of heaven's glory, when his flesh will be glorified and he will abide in God's presence. His declaration is that of experiencing these things now AND forever. Our souls, our intellect and emotions, need constant reminders that the reality we live in here on earth is not what is real and permanent. God's presence in our lives ought to be our focus--then all the things of earth grow "strangely dim". If we all wrote down the hundred of times that God has been faithful to us we would begin to live in the expectancy of seeing God's goodness in the land of the living. David lived this, as he wrote psalm after psalm, meditating and rehearsing what God had done again and again in his life.

In the book of Revelation, it says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony--not loving our lives unto death. Your testimony is valuable, not just the testimony of your conversion--but your testimony everyday of God's presence, and goodness in your life. Complaints and focusing on our problems and trials is like the offerings of the wicked--their is no glory, no life, in them. But God works all things for our good and for His Glory. Though we don't understand his workings, the trials and sufferings--His goodness prevails, our inheritance is in Him and He will give us His Wisdom and Grace. Hallelujah!

Copyright © 2007 by Ruth Mayfield All rights reserved. These articles may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, by including this notice.

Devotional: Psalms 72

A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalms 72:1-20

This Psalm was written by King David for his son King Solomon. It begins with a petition to God that Solomon would be a righteous and worthy King. King David specifically asks that his son receive God's righteousness and God's judgments to equip Solomon to reign as a godly king. If you are familiar with Psalms 119, you have some idea of the amazing request David asks for his son. Oh, that each of us would consider and petition God so wisely on behalf of our children, both when they are young and as adults, as Solomon is already a king when this is written. The bulk of the Psalm describes the result of God's granting King David's request. King Solomon will be a very successful and righteous king, acting as God's authority in the land and therefore the nation would be blessed as well.

This is also prophetic. Solomon is often viewed as a type of Jesus. He is the King of Righteousness who will one day be the Judge of the whole earth. The result of His Righteous Judgment is peace--shalom. Not just a world without conflict and war, but the full meaning of the word shalom--wholeness, completeness, soundness, tranquillity, health, prosperity. Jesus reigns as Sar Shalom, Prince of Peace. The name Solomon means peace, it comes from the word shalom. So this Psalm and prayer of David's was fulfilled during the reign of King Solomon, and looks forward to the reign of Jesus.

It ends with absolute praise and wonder of the Lord. David recognizes that it isn't by any work of man; not his son's training, nor genetic superiority that will equip him as the King to reign in righteousness with the authority of Almighty God--it is God Himself that blesses with favor, and gives the ability for Solomon to walk in God's righteousness and judgments, instead of man's. David also recognizes that the only way the whole earth can be filled with the glory of God, is when each of us walk, as a kingdom of God's servants, according to the Righteousness of God in Judgment, Justice and Truth. As he concludes this Psalm, let us also look forward to that day when the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. If Jesus reigns in our hearts and lives, we can experience God's glory in our lives, and others will see it too. Lord, let it begin in us today!

Devotional: Psalms 149

Praise ye the LORD.
Sing unto the LORD a new song,
and his praise in the congregation
of the saints.
Let Israel
rejoice in their maker:
let the children of Zion
be joyful in their King.
Let them praise his name
in the dance:
let them sing praises to him
with the timbrel and harp.
For the LORD takes pleasure
in his people:
he will beautify the humble

with salvation.

Let the saints
be joyful in glory:
let them sing aloud upon their beds.
Let the high praises of God
be in their mouth,
and a twoedged sword
in their hand;
To execute vengeance on the nations,
and punishments on the people;
To bind their kings
with chains,
and their nobles
with fetters of iron;
To execute upon them
the judgment written:
this honour have all his saints.
Hallelujah.
Psalms 149:1-9

The Lord gave me the tune of an old chorus "I will sing unto the Lord with all of my strength, I will sing praises to God while I have my being...." If you remember it, you will see how the cadence of Psalm 149 can fit the tune. If not, well then you will just have to read it as a poem.

This is a psalm of praise. One is caught up immediately with joyous praise--singing and dancing with timbrels and instruments. It is like a parade going through the streets where those in the parade run to the onlookers and drag them into the celebration. What are they celebrating? Their King! Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, in all his glory, is pleased with the celebration of His devoted, loyal worshippers.

But then the psalm takes on a new dimension. The worshippers are to continue being joyful--"ON THEIR BEDS". The Bible tells us we are to praise the Lord in the evening, in the morning, and at noon--but also while we are sleeping. It goes on: "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth and a twoedged sword in their hand". The high praises of God, what is that? These praises do spiritual warfare. It is NOT something that takes an orchestra or loud music in some large church to be the high praises of God. As we lift our sincere, joyous praise to God He apparently releases the angelic hosts to do warfare on behalf of the Kingdom of God. Yes, we have the Sword of the Lord, the Word of God, in our right hands. That means as we praise we declare His victories according to His Word. Read the rest of this psalm again.

It doesn't always take hours or days of prayer and fasting to execute God's divine judgements against the enemy. In this psalm we are instructed to praise the Lord and He fights our battles for us. I am reminded of the story in 2 Chronicles 20. The Lord instructed Jehoshaphat to send the singers and worshippers to go first into battle. The victory was all the Lord's. We can also do this on our beds--execute the written judgements, God's decrees against the wicked. The night does not belong to the enemy! It belongs to God. We just need to realize we can, and should, praise Him all the while we are awake and even while we are sleeping.

May each of us come to the place where our worship of our Lord Jesus is all consuming in our lives, that we worship him with our words, our deeds, our hearts and our consciousness--even when we are asleep.

Devotional: Psalms 42

To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. PSALMS 42:1-5

Many of you may be familiar with the old chorus that is written based on the first few verses of this Psalm. "As the deer panteth for the waters, so my soul longeth after thee. You, Oh Lord, are my heart's desire and I long to worship thee...." I always loved the sweet, soft peace in the atmosphere of that song, but this song is not as soothing sounding. The words of these first five verses are a cry of a heart in desperation.

This Psalm has been a favorite of mine through many a difficult time period in my life. Times when my world seemed to be crashing down all around me, and depression grabbed me, gripping me by the throat so that my very life felt like it was fading. The enemy comes in like a flood sometimes, he tries to convince us our hope is gone. Even our friends may ask us as Job's friends did, what is our secret sin? When we stand in faith, believing that the trials are temporary, they will ask, "Where is your God?" Our hearts and minds may know to trust in God, but it may become very difficult when faced with pain, disease, or lack; particularly if you have to watch a child or a loved one suffer. Sometimes there are no answers for those who question our trust in God. All we can do is persevere. Our hope is in God.

I have had conversations with Father God much like the words in this Psalm describe. I've done everything, I am praising you in the midst of the fiery furnace, yet the enemy mocks YOU! And he mocks my faith in You. Yet again God's grace reminds me of Job and his words. "I know my Redeemer lives!" "Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him." It is good to remind myself that whatever I am going through, Jesus understands. He suffered and experienced everything we ever could, and He promises to never leave us nor forsake us. There is suffering in this world. We cannot know God's heart if we don't experience suffering. Sin and it's consequences doesn't make God as angry as it does cause Him to suffer and grieve. His Holiness and Righteousness produce the wrath but His Love shields us in Mercy.

So this Psalm intermingles grief and despair with hope and faith. We can speak to our own souls and tell them to hope in God, because all tears will be forgotten in the light of His Countenance. We can answer those who question, where is your God? He is right here with me. He is pouring His strength into me, because I have no more of my own. He is giving me joy and hope, when there is no tangible reason for these to exist in me. I will seek my God, not because He has an answer to stop my suffering, but because He is everything to me. If He would forsake me, I could not breathe another breath. He holds me in the palm of His Hand. By Him the stars are held in their places. He brings the sunshine and the rain, when the earth is parched. He floods me being with the warmth and light of His Love and His Presence. I desperately need Him, He is all I need.

Devotional: Psalms 18

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD, who spake unto the LORD the words of this song in the day that the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire. Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them; and he shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of thy nostrils. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong forme. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. PSALMS 18:1-16

This is the beginning of a song, or Psalm, written by King David after his victory from a very low point. He himself had been anointed as the new king of Israel by the Prophet and Seer Samuel. Yet King Saul, whom David had faithfully served, was still the king and he was chasing David through the desert to kill him. Can you imagine all the thoughts that might have gone through David's mind? It would certainly be difficult in his situation not to question God. David was the least in his father's house and had no aspirations for leadership. It was all God's idea! He has submitted to God, submitted to the authority of Samuel, and even the authority of the King, Saul. His reward is a death sentence. He finds himself running for his life to the desert.

David was probably well acquainted with survival in the deserts of the Judean hills were he had kept his father's sheep. Scripture tells us he had also slain a bear and a lion with his bare hands, so we know that it was not the desert itself that David feared. Yet we know that the desert place symbolizes a dry, difficult place where we begin to feel like we are alone. We seem to loose our perception and wonder if perhaps God himself has forsaken us. Even though we may know that God has promised in His Word never to leave or forsake us, and there is no place we could hide from God's presence even if we tried, we can forget these things in the face of extreme distress. Other Psalms written by David describe every "feeling" we could ever experience in the desert place, from fear to depression, from absolute loneliness to exaltation in the presence of God's nearness as we view the night sky in wonder.

In this Psalm David has just been delivered from death by the hand of God. What a victory! David sees God as having moved heaven and earth on his behalf! David is my personal hero because whether he is facing fear or victory his FIRST thought is always God. Though he is a mighty warrior himself, he ALWAYS gives God ALL the credit. This Psalm is no exception. David joyously sings of God's deliverance and then reminds himself, and us, that God has done this because because "He delighted in me". God's infinite love for us is the reason He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and brings us to victory. It isn't because David had earned God's favor, David believed in, and expected God's favor. The Bible says that God considered David His friend. What an honor to be called a friend of the Most High God.

Do you know that Father God delights in you? Every time you acknowledge His blessings in your life and give Him glory, He delights in YOU. Yes, He created the stars and all the wonders of this earth and in the universe, and yet He delights in our recognition, our dependence, our obedience, our love for Him. We are so blessed to have the Bible as we go through our desert places and come under the attack of the enemy. We can read through the Psalms and allow the Holy Spirit to remind of God's faithfulness, even when we are weak and fail. How grievous it is to hear someone say, "Oh, I am in a desert place and the Word is so dry I cannot read it." This is like refusing life saving water because your throat is too dry to swallow. Don't give into the enemy's lies!

I pray that today you will delight yourself in the Lord that He may delight in You. May you love, serve and glorify Him in ways that make Him sing, dance and rejoice over you.

Devotional: Psalms 1

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper....
Psalms 1:1-3

God's Word is full of promises of blessings. Great blessings for our families, even generations to come are promised. The greatest promise is fulfilled in Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah. His Blood and our belief and acceptance of its atoning work bridges the gap between man and God forever. The Bible is sometimes called the law of the Lord, and it is our guidebook. But even more amazingly it spells out the character of God and explains His infinite Mercy and Love for us. As you read the Bible you can meet the Almighty God Himself as a real, responsive, intimate person. It says in the Gospel of John that the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. Jesus is the Word of God in tangible form.

Psalms 1 begins with a blessing for a godly person. This does not mean we all must become religious and follow every letter of the law. It means that we hold God's Word above the logic of the world, and the opinions of man. But the key that I want to bring forth here is the phrase: "his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord? I know people who delight in Starbucks, or ice cream, or perhaps in their grandchildren. Things I could definitely delight in. I love reading the Word of God, to me it is always alive and relevant. But I have heard others, even pastors and leaders--godly men and women--who speak of seasons where the Word is dry and difficult to read. But that doesn't mean that they would place God's Word lower than other sources of counsel. There is simply a special blessing for those who have pursued God and find His law their delight.

I am one who delights in the law of the Lord, but have found myself in busy seasons where my day and my life is so full of other things that I am not meditating on the Word. I thank God that He has so imparted His Word to my heart that it is there at the tip of my tongue when someone is in need of encouragement, or wisdom--including myself. But again, this Psalm is promising a special blessing.

How can we attain God's richest blessings in our busy world? To begin with we must realize just how precious His Word is. Read Psalm 119, it gives the best overall picture of how valuable the Word of God is. There are many people in this world who don't have access to a Bible, yet they would consider it very precious if they could obtain one. Many of us have heard stories of those in China who have torn a New Testament into individual pages, so that they could share pieces among house churches. Others dedicate their lives to translating it into new languages, to reach more people. It seems to me those who have perhaps several Bibles are the ones who use it more for a reference book than as something precious. The people who read the Word regularly are those who seem to know the heart of God the best. Those who come to us and ask for prayer because they can't hear God and need his direction, are the ones who spend little time reading, let alone meditating on His Word.

The word for meditate is a word that indicates chewing, like a cow chews its cud. Bring it back into your mind as you drive or do chores, and turn it over in your mind. Pray and ask God for His Revelation on a subject or specific scripture. Perhaps you can begin by memorizing these 3 verses, or choose one that is your favorite from anywhere in Bible. Perhaps God would have you pray a portion of scripture for a season over a loved one, or yourself. These are different ways to bring the Word into the forefront of your mind. Your life will begin to change, because your perspective will begin to change. This isn't a formula, and you won't see results overnight. But God's promises are true. I would love to see more of God's people prosper so that the Gospel can go forth in greater measure.