Lisa Buffaloe's Blog, page 5

Grumbling against God

In the book of Exodus we read how the Israelites were miraculously rescued by God from slavery with the Egyptians. Even though the Israelites witnessed plagues and judgement against the Egyptians, even though the Israelites walked on dry land through the Red Sea, saw the complete destruction of the Egyptian army, and even though God led the Israelites with a cloud by day and fire by night, and provided for their every need, they still grumbled and complained to Moses and Aaron.

Moses told them, your grumblings are not against us but against the Lord (Exodus 16:8).

Yikes!

Ray Pritchard wrote, ���Do we understand that complaining is an attack on God���s sovereignty? Every time you complain about your circumstances, you are really saying, ���If I were God, I would do things differently.��� The complainer has forgotten the first rule of the spiritual life: He���s God and we���re not.���

Oh my. How it must grieve the heart of God when we complain.��After reading that verse and the quote by Ray, I found myself trying to be very careful, with my words and my thoughts.

Complaining and grumbling focuses on people, problems, and circumstances, instead of focusing on our almighty, loving God. There is more, much more, than what we can see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or even imagine. God is loving and good, He is always in control, He is sovereign over all, He knows the plans and the future, and all things work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28).

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for complaining and grumbling. Thank You that You are sovereign and always in control. Thank You that there is a plan and purpose bigger, higher, and better than I can imagine. Please help me so that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart may be pleasing to You (Psalm 19:14).

���For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts��� (Isaiah 55:8-9, NKJV).

Therefore, ���casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.��� ���Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and [questioning and doubting [among yourselves], That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world (1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 2:14-15, AMPC).

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Muddy waters

I sat on the banks of a clear, clean river. Water splashed and played along the rocks, the sound lulling and beckoning rest and relaxation. The day perfect and the moment wonderful.

All of the sudden, someone ran up, jumped in the river splashing water all over the place, and kicking their feet to stir up all sorts of mud and grime. The clean river became a mess, and my peaceful river and peaceful moment were ruined. Argh!

Who was that person?

Me.

Far too often I miss time given by God by muddying the moment with worries and anxious thoughts about the past, present, and future. Jesus said, ���Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly, distressed, agitated). Believe [confidently] in God, adhere to, and rely on and trust in Him, committing to and unto, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe in, adhere to, and trust also in Me��� (John 14:1, AMP & AMPC).

The Greek translation for the word ���trouble��� means to agitate, to cause one inward commotion, take away calmness of mind, to disquiet, make restless, to stir up, to perplex the mind, to strike one’s spirit with fear and dread.

Perhaps you���re also troubled and can identify with everything listed in those translations. I get it. Oh man, I get it. Life is full of difficulties. Yet Jesus invites us into the reality of what is possible through His peaceful presence. ���Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]��� (John 14:27, AMP). Underline added.

Jesus gives His perfect, calming, eternal peace, for every circumstance and every moment of our lives. His peace passes human understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Come to Me, Christ beckons. Let go by placing the problem, the person, the worry, the concern in the Hands of the all-powerful, loving, tender Lord. Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you. Surrender your worries, fears, and anxiety.

Fully surrender to fully receive. When surrendering all to Jesus, we get everything Jesus has to offer ��� mercy, grace, forgiveness, peace, eternal life, access to God the Father, His love, His joy, His eternal home.

Jeremiah 17:7-8 reminds us ���Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream, and does not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit��� (NASB)

When we believe and trust in the Lord, even in the hard times, we are given a fear-free, anxious-free, productive life. Jesus offers a blessed invitation for unmoving, solid, eternal peace, and hope. ���You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You���in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner], for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].��� (Isaiah 26:3-4, AMP).

Therefore, clear up the muddy water by letting ���the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]��� (Colossians 3:15, AMP).

 

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Photo by Lisa Buffaloe

Finding home

Another move loomed on the horizon, and I pondered what it would mean for me and my family. Okay, I���ll be honest, it���s mainly me I was considering. It would be my thirty-sixth move. I didn���t just want to find another house; I wanted a home.

As we moved again, I wondered if it would be a good place as we continued to get older. Would we have a good church, doctors, and friends, and would the city be a positive and safe place to live?

Regardless of the answers to the questions, I need to remember God is already wherever He sends us. God���s presence is home ��� my eternal home. If I will give myself freely, stop worrying about my needs and focus on God, He will meet all needs according to His riches in glory.

As I give freely of my earthly desire for earthly things, God blesses with more ��� more of Him! What is given freely, receives God���s free gifts with pressed down, poured out blessings. In holding nothing, I receive everything. In losing my life, I find The Life.

God has not given the spirit of fear, we need not worry about anything because our heavenly Father cares about everything (including where the Buffaloe roams).

Amy Carmichael wrote, ���Think of yourself as belonging first to your Lord and then to all, Servant of all. In serving any one of the ���all��� you are serving Him who is your Lord. Life is never lonely or empty if we keep Him where He must always be, in the first place.���[i]

Making the Lord the first place, our��first love, surrendering all to Him to be used in His service, that is where Home is found. In God’s��presence is fullness of joy, and with Christ in our hearts, we are��already Home.

Is God prompting you to move? Perhaps He isn���t directing you to relocate your household, but He is asking you to move forward in a new direction.

Whatever path God guides you on, wherever He leads, you will find home in His joyful presence.

���You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.��� ~ Psalm 16:11 (NASB)

���Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.��� ~ Colossians 3:1-3 (NASB)

������my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.��� ~ Philippians 4:19 (NASB)

���Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure���pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.��� ~ Luke 6:38 (NASB)

���For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord��� for we walk by faith, not by sight��� we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. …��� ~ 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (NASB)

Carmichael, Amy, Candles in the Dark, p 23, Fort Washington, PA:�� CLC Publications

From We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe https://amzn.to/3I7Rsmq

 

Good news, please!

I enjoy social interactions and also time with friends, but often the sharing of bad news gets me down and makes me crazy. The world���s a mess because Satan is very busy making a mess of this world. I don���t need to read every article and every detail about some horrific crime.

Paul wrote, ���Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.��� (Ephesians 5:11-12, NLT)

As a Christian, my job is to share the good news of Christ; to share hope, encouragement, and light to a world living in darkness. I���ve lived through some terrible things, but God has restored and redeemed what the enemy meant for evil. Jesus Christ saved me! My God is bigger than anything or anyone! I have good news to tell! Will you join me? Please.

If we would share the good news can you imagine how encouraged we would all be? How excited we would be for the future because we would know our amazing God was doing amazing things. Oh my, if we would share how God is working in each of our lives, we would be having praise parties every moment of every day.

Please share good news. Share how God is working in your life. Share the hope of Christ. Share of God’s mighty deeds. Share the praises. Share encouragement. Share good news. Please, please share The Good News!

���How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!��� (Isaiah 52:7, NLT)

���I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.��� (Psalm 40:10, NLT)

���Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.��� (Psalm 96:2, NLT)

From by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/44xce8W

Candid Church Interview

Hi, friends! I was blessed to be part of a Candid Church interview. Join me with Matt Buerhaus and Kim Livingston as we discuss God and our wonderful Savior –> https://youtu.be/KRdqNu_Qha4

Trust Me for the best

Years ago, my husband had been laid off, and he spent months searching for a job. Several months passed, and I believed the Lord shared in my spirit some amazing and wonderful things that would come in the near future. With excitement and anticipation, I scurried about the house, preparing for what I believed were our next steps. Then surgeries for us both during that time put a stop to any plans. As health issues slowed us to snails, at times, I wondered if I correctly heard God. ����

Mixed emotions come with every move. After thirty-plus moves, you would think it would be easier. However, questions about logistics are ever-present, and the concerns for all required to move to any new location. Can we easily sell the home were in, find an affordable home in another city, locate a good church, find doctors, friends, etc.? All that messes with my head because moving is not easy! The negative what ifs were far outweighing the positive “what ifs”.

I sensed a heavenly disappointing sadness in how I viewed the possible change.��Why was I thinking of the worst possibilities instead of thinking the best?

Why was I not trusting God?

God���s love is unfailing. God is a good, good Father who wants the best for His children. God works all things for the good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. God knows the plans He has for us, plans for a good future filled with hope.

So why look for the negatives instead of the positives? Why am I not leaping in joy that God will lead? Why am I not trusting God for His best? Oh, my attitude makes me so sad. My good, good Father has shared amazing things, and I haven���t been rejoicing every moment at what is to come.

Oh, Father, please forgive me. Forgive me for my negative thinking, my worries, and my lack of trust. Forgive me for not trusting You for the best. Refocus my focus back on Your goodness. Retrain my brain to rejoice in Your faithful, unfailing love. I will stand and watch to see what You will do and how You will lead. I trust You for the best, for You are the best!

���Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. The��Lord��is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.��� ~ Psalm 143:8 (NLT), Psalm 28:7 (NLT)

���Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive��and��know it��and��will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.��� ~ Isaiah 43:19 (AMPC)

������I say this because I know what I am planning for you,��� says the��Lord. ���I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.������ ~ Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)

���And we know that God causes everything to work together��for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.��� ~ Romans 8:28 (NLT)

(The move did come and God blessed with a very, very good move!)

From We Were Meant for Paradise by Lisa Buffaloe, https://amzn.to/3ZrzlP5

Seeking

Jesus turned to those following Him and asked, ���What are you seeking?��� And they asked, where are you staying? And Jesus replied, Come and see��� (John 1:38-39).

What are you seeking from Jesus? ���Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near��� (Isaiah 55:6, NKJV). For, when we seek Him with all our hearts we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

What are you looking for? Is your soul hungry and thirsty? Come and see Jesus who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water. ���I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ���Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.������(John 6:35, John 7:38, ESV)

Do you need to know the way? Come and see the One who is The Way, the Truth, and the Life. ���I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.��� (John 14:6, ESV).

Are you seeking peace? Come and see the One who gives peace and Who is peace. Jesus invites, ���Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.��� (John 14:27, NASB).

Are you desperate for light? Come and see the One who is light. Jesus is the light of the world. Whoever follows Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Are you longing for comfort? Come to God and His Son, ���Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement), Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God��� (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, AMPC).

Whatever you are seeking, whatever you are looking for, you will find in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. ���Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened��� (Matthew 7:7-8, AMP).

���Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, ���God is great!������ (Psalm 70:4, HCSB). ���Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength [His power, His might]; seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually.��� (Psalm 105:4, AMP).

 

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Ice, Painters, and Angels

Gray-green clouds billowed on the evening horizon. With a quick goodbye to my co-workers, I hurried to my car. Rain fell and quickly morphed into sleet. My car windshield wipers flapped at full speed, and I gripped the wheel as I drove the winding back roads to my parent���s home in the country.

Slowing down for a curve, my tires lost traction. The car spun out of control, skidded sideways, and crashed into a deep ditch. Rattled but unscathed, I sat praying, wondering what to do since my car was stuck.

Thirty minutes from home and without a cell phone, my options were to walk or sit and wait. If I waited, my parents wouldn���t know I was missing until later that night and they wouldn���t know which country road I had taken.

Several farmhouses sat off the road, but even to reach them would be a long walk. The only person within walking distance was a young man who had his checking account at the bank where I worked. I didn���t know him well. I was a teenage bank teller and he was a flirt.

Thinking perhaps he might be my best opportunity; I crawled out of my car and made my way up the ditch.

Just then, a beat-up, old station wagon stopped next to me. The passenger window rolled down. ���Can I drive you somewhere?��� The driver, an elderly man wearing stained painters��� coveralls, waited for my answer.

The freezing rain picked up in intensity. I hesitated and glanced at the abundance of paintbrushes, rollers, and paint cans spread throughout his vehicle. Cold and with limited choices, I opened the door and sat in his car. ���I know someone nearby. He lives in a trailer up the road. Could you take me there?���

He looked at me, his gaze unwavering. ���How well do you know him?��� Somehow, I could hear my dad asking the same question.

I squirmed at his fatherly scrutiny. ���Not well, he has an account at the bank where I work.���

He shook his head. ���I won���t take you there. How far do you live?���

���About thirty minutes. But you don���t have to drive me that far.���

Again, his gaze locked into mine. ���Do you have anyone you know well, or your parents know who lives closer?���

I couldn���t think of anyone for a few minutes until I remembered a family friend. ���Yes sir. One of my mom���s friends lives about ten minutes away.���

He nodded and we drove in silence.

The house of our friend stood nestled off the road in a stand of trees. My rescuer drove his car down the wet pine-straw-covered driveway and stopped.

I thanked him and offered to pay for his trouble. Declining my offer, he waited as I ran to the house.

After I knocked on the door, my mom���s friend greeted me with open arms. A breeze filtered through the trees. I looked back. The pine-straw was undisturbed. My rescuer was gone.

Life is full of unseen dangers. Thankfully we have a God who protects, guides, and holds our hand through the storms of life. And sometimes, He even sends an angel wearing painter���s coveralls to carry us safely home.

Heavenly Father, thank You that even when life is cold and scary, we are never out of Your loving care.

“The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.” (Psalm 34:7, HCSB)

From Living Joyfully Free by Lisa Buffaloe

 

 

 

 

 

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Should I Battle?

In the Old Testament we read of kings who reigned throughout Biblical history. Unfortunately, many did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and others were listed as doing what was good and right in the sight of the Lord.

I found it interesting that even during the reign of some of the ���good��� kings, there were still times the nation had to fight. Sometimes God told them to fight because He would be with them and make them victorious. Other times God would tell them not to go into battle that He would take care of the situation. Unfortunately, there were occasions when the nation did not seek God���s guidance and instead charged into battle without God���s help. Those wars did not end well.

Then there is the story of David who should have been in battle with his army but stayed home and wound up committing adultery and then murder (2 Samuel 11).

Difficulties are part of life while we live on this earth, and we fight physical, spiritual, and mental battles. The battle might be ours to fight, might belong to someone else, or the battle may belong to the Lord. We need God and His direction and guidance to live a victorious life.

The other day someone posted something on social media. What was posted was true, and the person was immediately attacked. I read the comments and thought of joining in, yet I felt a check in my spirit. That battle was his, not mine. I would be fighting a battle God did not call me to fight. Far too often I have marched into a situation without seeking God���s guidance and the results were not pretty.

When people ���inquired of the Lord��� God directed them whether or not they should go into a battle, and He would often give them advice on how to handle the encounter (1 Samuel 30:8, 2 Samuel 5:19, 1 Chronicles 14:8-16).

Our fight isn���t against people on earth but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this world���s darkness the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. Therefore, we need to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-13), and no matter what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, or think in our thoughts, before stepping into a battle and responding in word or deed, seek God���s wisdom. ���If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him��� (James 1:5, AMP).

Only God knows the truth of a situation and the timing of how things will be handled. To live in victory, we need to go to our victorious God.

Heavenly Father, You know the plans You have for me, plans to give me a future and a hope. I don���t know what to do, so I look to You for help. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name���s sake, lead me and guide me. Before I take a step forward I need Your guidance and wisdom. Please show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. You will guide me with Your plan, and afterward receive me to glory. Thank You, God, that You give victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jeremiah 29:11, 2 Chronicles 20:12, Psalm 31:3, James 1:5, Psalm 25:4, Psalm 73:24, 1 Corinthians 15:57).

Forgiving ourselves

Sometimes forgiving others is easier than forgiving ourselves. Please don���t let the enemy convince you that your sin is too bad, too many, or too terrible for God���s forgiveness. I���ve heard people say that because of their sins there is no hope for repair or restoration. Yes, there are always consequences to sin. And unfortunately, behaviors will spill over to affect other lives. Fortunately, God is bigger than any mistake or failure.

David was an adulterer and murderer, but God called him a man after His own heart.

Moses killed a man, but God spoke to him face-to-face as a friend.

Rahab was a prostitute, but God blessed her to be the mother of Boaz. And Boaz married Ruth, and through their further generations came our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Saul stood by watching and agreeing with the stoning of Steven and then he persecuted Christians, but God used him in mighty ways to further His kingdom.

The woman caught in adultery, the woman who ���lived a sinful life��� all found forgiveness at the feet of Jesus.

Regardless of your past, no matter what has happened, what you have been through, God���s forgiveness is freely offered for those who come to Him. Let that steep in you. The Lord will forgive if you honestly, earnestly confess, and repent.

Grace touches to the very marrow of our being and cleanses us from the inside out, creating a new creature in Christ. Created uniquely, we become the best we can be through His grace. All we must do is accept what He so freely offers.

“Turn to the Lord! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Give up your evil ways and your evil thoughts.��Return to the Lord our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins” (Isaiah 55:6-7, CEV).

���Come now, and let us reason together,��� Says the Lord, ���Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool��� (Isaiah 1:18, NASB).

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