shanahodge

It matters to Him

" You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, each tear entered in Your ledger, each ache written in Your book." I don't usually have problems falling asleep or staying…

Psalm 56:8 (MSG)

He's in charge

I love the way The Message puts this passage. It says," But God hasn't moved to the mountains; his holy address hasn't changed." David wrote this psalm when his best friend Jonathan confirmed that yes…

Psalm 11:4 (MSG), Psalm 11:7 (MSG)

Listen to Him

Then Samuel said, Do you think all God wants are sacrifices— empty rituals just for show? He wants you to listen to him! Plain listening is the thing, not staging a lavish religious production. Not doing…

1 Samuel 15:22 (MSG)

everything came out right

I love this! What an "aha" moment for Israel to know that everything God said He would do, He did. Do you know why? Because of their obedience. He gave specific instructions on how to settle into the…

Joshua 21:45 (MSG), Joshua 23:14 (MSG)

didn't ask God

"The people looked them over and accepted the evidence but, they didn't ask God."Just because something looks right or sounds honest doesn't mean it is. Our humanity fails us. We are wicked sinful people…

Joshua 9:14 (MSG)

Yes. Absolutely.

As I read all of the commands from God in this passage I couldn't help but notice the words,"Yes. Absolutely." over and over again. Sure, it seems like common sense that no one would lead a blind man…

Deuteronomy 27:14 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:15 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:16 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:17 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:18 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:19 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:20 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:21 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:22 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:23 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:24 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:25 (MSG), Deuteronomy 27:26 (MSG)

stand firm

Oh how I love this command from the Lord! When you see the horses, chariots and soldiers coming- ( in other words; a whole army!) do not recoil in fear. Stand firm because God is with you! Many times…

Deuteronomy 20:1 (MSG), Deuteronomy 20:2 (MSG), Deuteronomy 20:3 (MSG), Deuteronomy 20:4 (MSG)

remembering every road

You know, sometimes it's not fun to remember every road that life has taken us; either by choices we have made or choices made by others that affect us. But God is real clear here in this passage. He…

Deuteronomy 8:2 (MSG), Deuteronomy 8:3 (MSG), Deuteronomy 8:4 (MSG), Deuteronomy 8:5 (MSG)

Following the Leader

Every time I read this passage I am in awe of the obedience displayed by this enormous group of people. I grew up watching the story of the Israelites being played out on an incredible flannel graph board…

Numbers 9:15 (MSG), Numbers 9:16 (MSG), Numbers 9:17 (MSG), Numbers 9:18 (MSG), Numbers 9:19 (MSG), Numbers 9:20 (MSG), Numbers 9:21 (MSG), Numbers 9:22 (MSG), Numbers 9:23 (MSG)

offerings

While reading in Leviticus about the rules regarding sacrifices I began to get a mental picture in my mind of what this day may have been like. I have never witnessed animals being slaughtered but I have…

keep your mouth shut!

What a statement! So often I think that God must need or want me to say something. Who doesn't like speak my mind or spout off when they are about to be involved in something big? But, He can handle my…

Exodus 14:13 (MSG), Exodus 14:14 (MSG)