Fiery Trials and But God ...

 

                                                     

Do we really trust God to deliver us from trials?

What about ones from an invisible enemy that has taken our families and us hostage, has bound us up, and thrown us into difficult situations? The world seems out of control at times and we continue to have an enemy that wants to take advantage of what is going on around us and make us take our eyes off God. I’m reminded of three men, Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-Nego, who were once cast into a fiery furnace, by an enemy of God because they wouldn’t bow down and worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. (Daniel 3.)

But God:

Answering the King’s question regarding who was their God, the One who would deliver them from his hands before the three were bound and cast into the fire they said:

“O Nebuchadnezzar we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O King. But if not, let it be known to you, O King, that we will not serve your gods (idols), nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up,” (Dan. 3:16-18).

Did God save them from being accused, arrested, bound, 
and thrown into the furnace? 
NO.

Did God immediately transport them out of the fire 
and take them to a safe place?
NO.

Did God strike dead all of their enemies 
who were involved in trying to kill them? 
NO.

But God astounded and got the attention of the King and his men. “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” (Dan. 3:24). “Look . . . I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (Dan. 3:25).

Be encouraged.

We are not walking through fiery tests by ourselves. We may have been bound and cast into it by an enemy who has intentions to harm us but God has not been caught off guard without a plan. 

Whatever you are facing today, God is in control and He does all things well.

God did not save us from being thrown into a trial or test.

God has not immediately transported us out of our situation to a safe place.

God has not struck everyone dead who means us harm.

 

But . . . God is wanting to astound and get the attention of the world. For He is walking with us. As people see us going through our difficult situations or react to things around us they should begin to see that we are not bound up with fear, hate, worry, or stress. 

When the King and his men saw the three men emerge unhurt the King said, “There is no other God who can deliver like this.” (Dan. 3:29).

And King Nebuchadnezzar was right . . . there is no other God who can deliver. And He is the same today as He was then–He will deliver in His way, in His time, following His plan. But while He is unfolding His plan, we believers are being watched just as the King and his men watched the three Jews.

What we must do when we are thrown unwillingly into a fiery trial against an invisible enemy is to be faithful. We need to trust God and remember that He is still on the throne, still in charge and He still has a plan that He is unfolding.

My Testimony:

I've had my trials and time of testing, and I'm sure I will have more as time goes on. But I hope that I will always join Shadrach, Mesach, and Abed-Nego and announce, “But, if not, let it be known to you, O King (this invisible enemy), that (I) do not serve your gods (idols), nor will (I) worship the gold image which you have set up.”

“If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, 
and pray and seek My face,and turn from their wicked ways, 
then I will hear from heaven, 
and will forgive their sin 
and heal their land.
(2 Chronicles 7:14).

                                               

Images by:      MasterTux from Pixabay 

                        FelixMittermeier from Pixaby

Scripture from the New King James Bible

                

WELCOME!

I'm glad you are here to join me as I venture out with my gardening and photography as well as continuing to write devotions as the Lord leads me. 

Too many times we let life get in our way and keep us from going after the things that give us joy. One lesson I've learned over the past two years is to "JUST START." What is that hobby or interst you have that sits in the forefront of your mind and emotions willing you to move towards it?

One of the things I began was a facebook group.  I did't plan on it, it just happened. I was enjoying gardening and taking pictures with my iphone but I felt like I was flooding my facebook page with flowers. (Hard to belive but some people get tired of flowers! Who Knew? HA!) I then thought about starting a fb group where I could post all the gardening/flower pictures I wanted and maybe I would get some other like-minded people to join me. I created "From My Garden To Yours . . . with Beth Fortune" in Oct. 2020 and now have over 1,000 gardening friends. Who would have thought????? You can find us here: From My Garden to Yours . . . with Beth Fortune.

I've always loved taking pictures but then I started hanging out with my brother who is a photogrpher and I got more excited. My husband bought my first mirror-less camera--a Canon EOS M50. Quite the learning curve from my point and shoot iphone. But I'm hooked!

We have joined forces and created a photography facebook page and hope to eventually get a website up with both of our photographs and the ability to purchase them. If you enjoy photography, please look us up on fb. You can find us here at: B & B Photography   

This is how I describe our work:

Who are B & B Photography?

Bob King and Beth King Fortune.

Bob has a degree in Forestry from Clemson University and is known for his landscapes, wildlife, waterfall, cityscapes, and street photography. He has an eye for nature and spends countless hours hiking to find waterfalls as well as waiting for sunrises and sunsets to capture beauty most of us would never see on our own. He evokes emotions that are lasting and has a style that shouts “l love this shot and want to share it with you!”

Beth has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Clemson University and as an avid gardener has an eye for garden photography. She’s known for her composition whether in the garden, a city street, or at the coast of SC. She loves to mix things up with her black and white photography which brings the simple things we see into a deeper focus that’s memorable.

So here I go . . . moving in another direction from my writing and speaking ministry but enjoying the journey.

Hope you will stop by and visit. 

Blessings,

Beth

The First Pancake Rule

Things are happening.

I found out last week that my new website may be finished soon. I’m excited, but nervous. 

I’ve been waiting to get my new speaking/writing ministry Extreme Joy Ministries up and running, but there’s something about gazing at the starting line and anticipating the sound of the gun going off to begin. Yes, I’m excited—and nervous—about placing my foot on the line and preparing to move forward.

A couple of weeks I was listening to a podcast by Ann Kroeker who is a Writing Coach and she was talking about the First Pancake Rule.

The First Pancake Rule.

Ann Kroeker said that when you begin making pancakes the first few usually don’t look very good. After pouring the batter they may end up shaped funny, too thick or too thin, and over or under cooked. But you keep pouring the batter and making pancakes.

After awhile you begin to get the hang of it. The batter has settled into the right consistency, you have figured out just how much batter to use and how long to leave it on the griddle before you flip it over. After awhile things begin to fall into place and you are making yummy round pancakes. (All right, she didn’t use the word yummy, but yummy works for me when it comes to hot

pancakes covered with hot maple syrup. But I digress.)

 Ann says it’s the same way when you start or re-start something. You have to just start and expect the first few things (or times you do it, whatever it is) to not be perfect. Start, keep pouring, and you will get better. 

That’s where I am at the moment. I’m beginning to pour the batter: 

• My new website will be up and running so I will be blogging and sending out a newsletter. 
• I'm continuing to be the guest Bible Study teacher at a church in my area.
• The first week of December I’m scheduled to speak at a Women's Conference in Charleston, SC.
• I’m submitting proposals to teach workshops on speaking and speaking tips to a few Writers’ Conferences.
• A Writers' Spiritual Retreat is in the planning stages.
• I’m working on presentations, book ideas, and blog ideas.

My pancakes may not come out perfect, but I’m going to mix the batter and start pouring.

What about you? Is there something you are waiting to start? What about something you want to re-start? Have you set goals but are fearful to step up to the starting line and begin?

Start.

 

Give yourself permission to make a few ugly pancakes.

The more you keep pouring, the better you will get.

And where can you find me? I’ll be standing over the griddle pouring . . . 

 " . . . being confident of this very thing, 

that He who has begun a good work in you will complete 

it until the day of Jesus Christ;" (Eph. 1:6 NKJV).

Scripture from New King James Version of the Bible

Pictures courtesy of www.pixabay.com

Faith With a Silly Grin

Indiana Jones movies wear me out. Binge watch this series? No thanks.

But, I have to say that in the midst of all the action there is one scene in  “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” that has stayed with like Indiana Jones’ hat does with him. (Crazy how he keeps that hat through all his adventures!)

It’s the scene when he’s in a cave, again, and he’s being chased, again, and he needs to get from one side to the next with no help in sight, again. He comes to a huge canyon and needs to get to the other side to get the Holy Grail and save his father. He throws pebbles out and there in front of him he sees a bridge. Kind of, sees it. Then he has to step out in faith and put his foot on the bridge that he can kind of see and walk.

That’s where I am. Well, not exactly . . . I’m not being chased, and I don’t need to find the Holy Grail to save my father. But, I do need to take a step of faith and walk where I kind of see a path.

Been there? You probably have, and I can guarantee you that you probably hesitated and smiled a silly Harrison Ford grin as you looked at the path in front of you.

Well, I’m taking that step of faith. 

I believe in the One who has put that path before me. With each step I hope to get stronger and stronger until I’m no longer aware of the pebbles under my feet or that there is a vast unknown below. 

I will keep my eyes straight ahead on the Lord who leads me.

I’m letting go of all the doubt, fear, and disbelief that wants to weigh me down and keep me from putting my foot on this path. I’m taking God’s truths from His Word, the nudges He gives me from the Holy Spirit, and the examples of His Son and I will run towards the unknown that awaits me. For God’s Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope,” (Jer. 29:11 ESV).

Want to come with me? 

I hope so. I would love to see you on the other side. I may not have a hat on like Indiana Jones, but I’m sure you will be able to see the silly grin on my face.

photos courtesy of Pixabay.com

Scripture from English Standard Version

Pepsi, Birthdays and Me

Pepsi isn’t turning 60 this year, but I am.

My world collided with the world of Pepsi when I turned 6 years old. 

Just 6. 

6 without the 0 after it . . . a long time ago.

What started out as a drink called “Brad’s Drink” and was invented by a pharmacist in 1893 to offer to his customers at his soda fountain ended up being the catalyst of my excitement to turn 6 years old. Caleb Bradham’s dark caramel colored (Caramel E105d to name the exact color) carbonated drink has been renamed twice and by 1961 was known and consumed by millions all over the world. And they had a special truck named after it. The Pepsi Party Truck.

For every child turning six, Pepsi offered a free cake, ice cream and Pepsi drinks up to a

certain number for their birthday party. I remember the box, the small round cups of ice cream with the small wooden spoons and the Pepsi. I’m sure my party guest were bouncing off the walls for hours once they returned home with all the sugar, but it was a great time. Recently one of my granddaughters turned six and she got to enjoy the same Pepsi Party truck experience. (Even though now I believe you pick up your Party box from the bottling company, not a party truck.)

Now I’m adding the 0 to the number six and I’m not excited about the Pepsi Party Truck, but about what the next stage of life will bring. I don’t think I will morph into a multi-million company and touch lives for generations all around the world for years, but maybe I will . . . well, maybe not the multi-million dollar company part. But just maybe I will do something to touch lives for generations all around the world for years, through writing.

I don’t remember the actual gifts I received at the six-year party, but I am well aware of the gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me. What a disappointment to my parents if they gave me a gift and I opened it but never used it and enjoyed it. Same with my Father. How disappointed He would be to give me a gift and I never used it or enjoyed it.

So, as I embark on this new decade, one in which there is a 0 after the 6, I’m going to take the gifts He so graciously put in my care and use them. My prayer is that the words that will be written and spoken will touch lives for generations to come and through the amazing Internet, all around the world.

I don’t know how old you are, but I do know that the Lord has graciously given you gifts and has put them in your care. Are you using them? Did you at one time, but for whatever reason put them down or in a place for another time?

There is no time like the present. The One who bestowed these gifts also encourages us with His word for:

• “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

• “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

• “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:. . ." Romans 12:6    

It may not be your birthday but I would love for you to join me in celebrating not only our

salvation and the freedom we have in being God’s child through believing in His Son Jesus Christ, but also the gifts He has given each one of us. And as we celebrate, let’s not put the gifts aside, but use them as they were intended by the most loving gift-giver of all.

And as far as my 60th Birthday . . . 
a Big Happy 60th Birthday to me!!!

Scripture from English Standard Version (ESV) Bible

photos of 60th balloons and Beth by Beth Fortune

remaning photos courtesty of www.pixabay.com