Tag: god

Nine is Divine

On By mygodroomIn Josiah, obedience, PaganLeave a comment

In recent weeks, I have written about Daniel, Cyrus, Esther and more. This morning, my husband flipped my Bible to 2 Chronicles 35 The study notes grabbed my attention. Thank you, Father God.

The Bible is full of moments when God’s voice breaks through in unexpected places—not just through prophets and priests, but through kings, pagans, even enemies. Over and over, He reminds us that His sovereignty is not bound by human categories.

Pharaoh Neco warned Josiah not to meddle, and the chronicler tells us his words were “from the mouth of God” (2 Chronicles 35:20–24). Josiah refused, and it cost him his life. Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon received dreams of empires and of his own humbling (Daniel 2; Daniel 4), showing God’s rule over all nations. Abimelech, a Philistine king, was warned in a dream to protect Sarah, convicting Abraham himself (Genesis 20). Balaam, a pagan diviner, opened his mouth to curse but could only bless (Numbers 22–24). Cyrus of Persia was stirred to send Israel home and rebuild the temple (Isaiah 45:1; Ezra 1:1–4), though he never knew Yahweh personally.

God also spoke through Pharaoh’s dreams of famine, leading to Joseph’s rise (Genesis 41). At Christ’s trial, Pilate’s wife was disturbed in a dream about “that righteous man” (Matthew 27:19). Wise men from the East followed a star and bowed before the newborn King (Matthew 2:1–12). Even Haman’s own household in Esther saw the writing on the wall: to oppose God’s people is to fall (Esther 6:13).

These stories differ in time and place, but together they form a striking pattern: God can and will use anyone. Kings and peasants, men and women, believers and unbelievers alike—none are beyond His reach. His purposes move through dreams, warnings, foreign decrees, even reluctant lips.

The question is not whether God can speak through outsiders. The question is: will we have the humility to recognize His voice, no matter the source?

The Old Rugged Cross

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, marriage, music, prayerLeave a comment

Yesterday, I posted “Woo Hoo”, all about how God woos us and draws us in to refine us. Today, when I arrived at the Smyrna shop, the devotional for yesterday made me *squee* a pinch. Very exciting.

Also exciting was sweet Godversation with Miss Karen, without having met her in person yet. Thank you, Jesus.

As for writing about church yesterday, I am not being directed to detail it. Mark had a great one-on-one with Thomas and I met Thomas’ wife amd daughter. For now, I must let some spiritual processing continue and ai will share about one of the songs we sang yesterday.

Rather helpful, as I posted the following to Facebook yesterday, while writing about wooing here:

George Bennard performed The Old Rugged Cross on June 7, 1913, after meditating on John 3:16 and needing to express his understanding in song. I will link a full story behind the hymn HERE.

We sang the hymn today at Creekmont Church. I was nudged when we sang:

“A wondrous beauty I see; For ‘twas on that old cross—Jesus suffered and died—To pardon and sanctify me.”

The nudge was a response to the word ‘sanctify’, calling back to Jesus’ prayer from John 17:17, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

Yessir! The Word of God and the work of the cross are inseparable to me. Together, they are how God sanctifies us—how He takes us from brokenness to holiness, from wandering to belonging with Him.

Considering this morning began with a lesson on how the Master of the Universe woos us, I consider myself most appropriately wooed. 💜✝️💜

Woo Hoo!

On By mygodroomIn obedienceLeave a comment

I woke up this morning feeling wooed. That word has been echoing in my heart, and it’s exactly what Job 36:16 says:

The Hebrew word here is סוּת (sut), which means to incite, entice, or draw out. The image is not of God forcing or driving us, but of Him gently, persistently pulling us out of trouble and into freedom. He woos us—away from the jaws of distress and toward a wide-open place of life.

Wooed Through the Fire

This connects deeply with the image of fire, dross, and refining. When silver or gold is heated, the impurities rise and are removed as dross. leaving what is pure. Sometimes all we see is the soot and dross—the blackened remains of what was burned away. But those ashes testify that the Holy Spirit’s refining fire has passed through.

To be wooed is to be invited into that process: God is not scolding or condemning us; He is drawing us, lovingly, into the fire that purifies. What feels like burning is actually refining, preparing us for what remains.

Where Else Does God Woo Us?

This idea of God “wooing” or “drawing out” is found throughout Scripture:

Hosea 2:14 — “Therefore, I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her.” (Here the verb is פָּתָה, patah—to entice, allure. Another wooing word.)

Jeremiah 31:3 — “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn (mashak) you with unfailing kindness.”

Psalm 18:19 — “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me.”

Song of Solomon 1:4 — “Draw me after you; let us run.” John 6:44 — “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them…”

Revelation 3:20 — “Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”

Each of these passages echoes the same heartbeat: God draws us, not by compulsion but by love.

Why I Feel Wooed

This morning, I felt overtly wooed. Not the heavy hand of judgment, but the gentle pull of love. He is drawing me out of what confines, away from the soot (sut #ISWYDT) and the dross, and into His spacious place.

The cross sanctifies me, and the Word—“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17)—reminds me that sanctification is both fire and “water-wooing”.

Holy fire removes the dross and Holy Water woos us into His cleansing. The Spirit does both, perfectly.

I want to let myself be drawn into deeper waters with Him. Somewhere in My God Room, I have written it’s always safe to snorkel with Jesus.

I will find that old post another time. I will also share about today’s service, message and more on a separate post. Given the message and how I was nudged singing The Old Rugged Cross, it deserves a separate post.

Oh, sweet Jesus, how I love you. Help me love you better each day. Thank you for reminding me how to find this old post from August 7, 2016. More than nine years ago, you planted this vividly on my heart and entrenched it into the spirit you have given me. I love you.

Waterslides and Wonder

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedienceLeave a comment

Meeting Marcus and Brad from Missouri was a blessing. The 120 bucks was a nice sale, yet the Godversation is the treasure. Marcus commented about how pleasant it was to just talk to another human. The topics changed and ultimately, he REALLY appreciated my stating the obvious about why race was a non-important factor in our Godversation.

Simply standing on a simple little truth burst the entire Godversation wide open. Thank you, Father God.

Suddenly, I am mentally and spiritually back in Judges 7 from this morning. I am pondering Gideon and how God moved through him.

Nikita is bringing me my “Welded Heart” today. Lord, may it make my heart dance to your beat and may the words out of my mouth praise and point to you.

Ok. I have returned after receiving this piece and I am struggling for words. Quickly, I see I didn’t finish typing my prayer out. Since everything I ask is always in the powerful name of Jesus, I don’t think it’s a prayer issue.

While I appreciate the craftsmanship and time spent, this is not anything like the welded heart I described to Nikita last month.

I wear a heart necklace and one of two crosses around my neck each day. The vision was a barbed wire looking heart with a cross rising out of it- similar to how I wear my necklaces. Part of the heart would appear extra protected and part would be open.

Tears traversed my face. I couldn’t understand them in the moment. In retrospect, I think I understand the source.

Like everything, He is the source. Duh! She could tell I wasn’t thrilled with her effort, despite my attempt to be gracious in disappointment. She was clear she had zero desire to keep it, as she is not a Christian. She refused to let me pay for it, too.

It makes me sad to hear someone say they literally do not know a single person who would appreciate a cross. She said she does not know any Christians. None. She was painfully clear on the point and it pained me.

I am reminded of all I have experienced with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit since beginning this Daniel study on April 30.

So many God moves, it makes my head spin.

So much dross removed.

I am grateful.

Loving Enemies

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, marriage, obedienceLeave a comment

There is a Jesus Calling devotional in our Master Closet and the long form tabletop version of Jesus Calling is in our kitchen.

I failed to read either at home today, as Mark and I were enjoying an in-depth chat about Psalm 143 and blessing our perceived enemies with prayer. I needed to get cleaned up and get to work

Much of what my husband said is in our Smyrna shop devotional Today’s message in One Minute with God 💜✝️💜.

Today, we was like an extra sweet hug from Jesus to read this devotional.

Rather than give life to a negative thought, I praise God for giving me the answer four days ago to stand on His Word this morning. Praise, praise and more praise!

I posted about Judas yesterday. This was a second post on my Facebook page :

I woke to this response and a heavy heart as a result.

It continued with my exact response from four days ago. Reading it now, again, I am convicted He gave me the answer in advance. What else could I have said other than what He clearly gave me?

Nathalie Anne , it’s okay if we disagree as humans. Please understand I am always going to defer to the example of our Savior, Jesus. We are all broken and all need a savior. Jesus was interceding for ALL of humanity on that cross.

Reading your prayer, I had no choice except to speak up for those you seemed to exclude. I didn’t realize just how intentional the exclusion until your response. Jesus is our eternal intercessor according to Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25.

Reading your comment this morning, there isn’t a better, shorter or different response. I have no scales of bad or good people. I am grateful to know The One who owns the scales of justice. He is clear to pray for our enemies, too.

Nathalie, bad fathers are not going to begin their “good arc” without God. So, yes, I will continue to pray for ALL parents to be compelled to know better, do better and be better. I will also pray for all single people the same. I will pray for addicts to meet Jesus and to be delivered from addiction in all its forms. The list is endless and always inclusive.

Praying for all who love Jesus to reveal that love in truth and action. 💜✝️💜

I love you, too.

Thank you, Father God, for the comfort and peace today. Thank you for reminding me of big truths in small ways, too. I love seeking you in everything.

A Little Judas

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, Judas, obedienceLeave a comment

Betrayal comes in many forms . Praise God, I was blessed with a call from Miss Futina this morning. I heard how she was betrayed and my heart was cracked open. Answered prayer, especially before we close this store at the end of October.

Lord, you have all my praise and thanksgiving, please send a few more of my “stranger angels “ back into the store before we close up shop here and return solely to our original store. Hugging them would bless me. In Jesus name, amen.

Driving to work, I heard a song for the first time. I should not be surprised it’s five years old, or from Hill Song . The Lord has been clear with me on NAR and other musical nonsense. When He gives me a song, I am listening intently. This was used beautifully and my husband loved it, too.

Living means different things to different people. I am only living because of my relationship with Jesus. Modeling my life after His makes PERFECT sense to me.

This morning, moved by the Spirit through Futina’s call and “This is Living”, I posted scripture and a sentence on Facebook.

I have been praying for Father God to reveal the next piece of dross which must be removed from me. It seems to be related to Judas, which is both biblical and a necessary reminder.

We all have a little bit of Judas in us, since none of us are perfect.

Where is “my Judas” trait? For that answer, just like every other question under the sun, I go to scripture.

Scripture told us long before Jesus came that the Savior would be betrayed. “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Judas sold Him for thirty pieces of silver, just as Zechariah foresaw (Zechariah 11:12–13). The Psalms even prayed, “May another take his office” (Psalm 109:8), fulfilled when Matthias replaced Judas in Acts 1.

But Judas is not just a figure in history—he is a mirror for our hearts. Every time we love money more than Christ, every time we complain about how someone else worships, every time we choose self over surrender, we let a little bit of Judas creep back in. That’s why Proverbs says, “Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel” (Proverbs 25:4). The Lord, like a refiner’s fire (Malachi 3:2–3), keeps burning away the greed, envy, and pride that would betray Him.

We must face the truth: there is a Judas streak in all of us. But the good news is that God never stops refining. He promises, “I will remove the heart of stone… and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Daily, He calls us to let Him skim away the dross, until the only thing left is His love shining pure in us.

Let YOUR LIGHT shine, Lord. More Jesus and less Carol is always the best equation. 💜✝️💜

Knowing, Guarding & Forgiving

On By mygodroomIn gratitude, obedienceLeave a comment

Last night I was compelled to post John 17:17 — “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

This morning I opened my Bible and landed on Matthew 18, and immediately my mind went back to my friend Julie’s post and the comment section.

God is weaving things together for me in a new way. The ultimate and absolute Dream Weaver is Father God. I am convinced Gary Wright knows how God directs our dreams based on the stories behind his song.

My Matthew 18 pages are filled with tons of notes and notations. Today, I was nudged to write “Julie Mauck 9/20/25” . I was not nudged to put “Luke 17:2”, likely because there is a printed corresponding scripture beginning Luke 17:1.

Dated notes from October 2017, January and February 2023, May 8, 2024, July 13, 2025 and today. Three key notes struck me hard. The notes about being His Child, honoring is greater than wallowing and “confirmation is Biblical (Matt 18:16) stood out to me.

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As I sat with it, I realized how John 17 and Matthew 18 fit together. Well, my John 17 pages are all kinds of noted, as well, with a big YADA YADA. Divine Humor, once again! 💜✝️💜

In Matthew 18, Jesus calls us to humility like children and warns us not to cause “little ones” to stumble. Jesus says it would be better to wear a millstone around our necks than to mislead them and the millstone takes me back to Hebrew dreams last winter. He goes on to show that forgiveness must flow endlessly — seventy times seven.

In John 17, Jesus defines eternal life: “that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (v.3). The Hebrew word yada — to know — means deep, intimate relationship, not casual acquaintance. I had even scribbled in my margin a reminder that yada yada (so often a throwaway phrase in our culture) actually calls me back to the seriousness of truly knowing God and His Son.

No big shocker. I just wrote about Daniel 9 and seventies and sevens the other day. Every single detail is intricately woven to another.

Put side by side, the message is clear:

To truly know God and Jesus (John 17) is to live in humility, to guard the vulnerable, and to walk in radical forgiveness (Matthew 18). His prayer for unity in John 17 comes alive only when we practice the hard, daily work of forgiveness in Matthew 18.

And I’m reminded — unity in the Body isn’t a theory; it’s built every time I choose to forgive, every time I guard someone’s faith instead of wounding it, every time I walk humbly like a child

So today, I’m holding these together:

Intimacy with God (John 17)

Protection of the vulnerable (Matthew 18:6)

Unity through forgiveness (Matthew 18:21–35)

That’s the kind of community Jesus prayed for. That’s the kind of life I want to live.

Oh, and I used technology to make Julie and all Biblical Warriors an accurate hoodie. Thank you, Jesus, for all good inspiration ! 😇

Cyrus’ Miles

On By mygodroomIn obedience, Where the Light Gets InLeave a comment

Odd to have Miley Cyrus thoughts as I began to post. At first thought—an instant prayer- it seems it is tied to a theme of a wrecking ball. Yet, as I have learned today, the Persian King Cyrus had a history of building up, too.

Did King Cyrus of Persia really decree the rebuilding of God’s house in Jerusalem? Yes, yes, he did. More importantly, God used a non-believer to accomplish His goals.

The Bible records it in 2 Chronicles 36 and Ezra 1 — but what evidence do we have outside of Scripture?

The Cyrus Cylinder (539–530 BC) was discovered in Babylon in 1879. This artifact is now in the British Museum. It is a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform, commissioned by Cyrus after his conquest of Babylon. It describes how Cyrus restored temples and returned displaced peoples to their homelands with their gods and religious items.

One example, “I returned to [these] sacred cities… the sanctuaries of which had been in ruins for a long time, the images which used to live therein, and I established for them permanent sanctuaries.”

While it doesn’t name Jerusalem, it perfectly matches what Ezra records — the Jews were one of many groups restored.

I love how archeology supports the Bible, hundreds and thousands of years later. I love how God used a Persian King to fulfill His purposes.

In addition to physical artifacts, there are the writings of Jewish historian Josephus that Cyrus read Isaiah’s prophecy about himself (Isaiah 44–45) and was inspired to fulfill it, issuing the decree for the Temple.

Persian history shows Cyrus was unique among conquerors: instead of suppressing religions, he restored them. Ezra’s account fits right in with what we know of his empire.

So while archaeology hasn’t yet given us a tablet that says, “Cyrus told the Jews to rebuild in Jerusalem,” all the evidence points to it:

His general decree (Cyrus Cylinder) The biblical record (Ezra & Chronicles) And later Jewish history (Josephus)

Together they confirm the faithfulness of God’s Word. The prophecy of Jeremiah was fulfilled, Daniel’s prayer was answered, and God used a Persian king to bring His people home.

Thank you, Lord, for all you teach me.

Struggling

On By mygodroomIn obedienceLeave a comment

I’ve been struggling to find clarity. My to-do list is long, full of things that need my attention, yet I find myself paralyzed, unable to move forward. Grief has a way of fogging the mind and weighing down the heart.

I just felt compelled to pour out love today. To friends on the phone and to my children via texts.

In the middle of it all, I’ve been following the situation with Charlie Kirk, and what breaks me most is not just the tragedy itself, but the flood of hatred in the aftermath. Christians and non-Christians alike are commenting with such cruelty, quick to assume, quick to judge, quick to fuel division without checking facts.

I think that’s what overwhelms me the most. Not just the grief, but the noise. The lack of compassion. The way we tear each other down instead of seeking truth or offering grace.

I don’t have answers today. Only a prayer that I can keep my heart soft, that I won’t join in the shouting, and that somehow I’ll find the clarity I’ve been missing.

Thank you, Father God. For all you have done, all you are doing and all you will surely do. Soon can not come soon enough in many ways. Please keep me in the palm of your hand. Thank you for knowing the source of my tears. I love you and ask everything (all the unspoken, too) in the precious and powerful name of your son, Jesus. Amen.

Living Sea Scrolls

On By mygodroomIn obedienceLeave a comment

For generations, people have searched for proof that the Bible can be trusted. Archaeologists, scholars, and skeptics alike have dug through history, looking for something solid. There is zero proof the Bible is wrong about any historical fact.

Granted, there is a copious amount of evidence which supports The Bible. What fascinates me are the later findings, in particular the 1800-1900’s. The Dead Sea Scrolls were found in late 1946-early 1947. I considered the world coming out of a world War, only for the Israel-Arab wars to begin shortly after Israel became a state in 1948. The first scroll was Isaiah and for me, it seems appropriate to title this the Living Sea Scrolls.

God’s word never returns void and I have been in awe all day of the power contained in Him.

Bedouin shepherd(s) stumbled into a cave near Qumran, and the Dead Sea Scrolls — the oldest biblical manuscripts ever discovered — came to light. These fragile scrolls carried the power of God’s Word, preserved for over two thousand years. At nearly the same moment in history, the world was shifting dramatically. In 1947 the United Nations voted to partition Palestine, and by May 1948 the modern State of Israel was declared. Globally, the Cold War tensions escalated, Gandhi was assassinated, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed.

I can’t help but see God’s hand in the timing. As the world reeled from war and nations were reborn, His Word emerged in power. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword.” That verse comes alive when I look at Qumran. It wasn’t just scrolls being pulled from clay jars — it was a reminder that His Word will never fade, no matter how many centuries pass.

One early scholar, Millar Burrows of Yale, said of the scrolls: “The discovery of the scrolls … was the greatest manuscript discovery of modern times.” And to me, that discovery wasn’t just history. It was God showing the world that His Word endures forever.

Praise God, for all He has done, is doing and will ever do. He is merciful and just and forever extending His Lovingkindness. Oh, I know I did not deserve His love…so grateful He gave it so freely. Thank you for Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I am overwhelmed with your goodness and light. Cleanse me, oh Lord. Circumcise whatever flesh must be removed. In Jesus name, Amen.