Filling the Gap Ministries

“Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17: 40

Since I was a little girl, one of my favorite Bible stories is David and Goliath. When I read it as an adult to my little boy, I can’t help but visualize of how that day of battle might have taken place. Let’s look at the story more closely…

I can just see David, this young shepherd boy who came to The Valley of Elah that day, bringing lunch to his big brothers. I am sure when David left, he didn’t think bringing some cheese and bread would turn into such an eventful day! How creepy it must have been to hear the loud, obnoxious voice of a nine foot giant, yelling and screaming death threats! As his brothers shared their frustrations and fears of this angry man named Goliath, David listened. In 1 Samuel 17 verse 26, David couldn’t believe that someone would actually challenge the ‘armies of the living God’. Out of all the things David could have said, he is more worried about this man challenging the power of his God! No wonder the rest of them looked at him like, “This guy is going to kill us and your worried about what God thinks?” But you see, that is why David is known for having that phenomenal relationship with God. David immediately is defensive of his God. How often do we think about God’s feelings in our battles? Then, David stands to basically say, “Well, I’ll fight him.” God’s word says that people around him took this gesture as being arrogant and conceited. But the confidence that David exhibits, comes from the fact that he already knew the outcome of this battle. Why? Because he knew his Lord. David had such a close relationship with God that he knew God would prevail. I don’t think he cared much about the ‘how’, but the outcome was a sure thing. We fail at this time and time again. We have a battle and then we worry and stress over the outcome. Why? Because we don’t know the one who holds the outcome. The more I read God’s word and the more time I spend with Him, the less doubts I find that come in my head. The worry is diminished because I know God is for my good. God has shown me that David agreed to fight Goliath because he knew he was only the ‘body’ that God would use. It was God’s battle; not David’s. David could have made it his battle, but he knew from the beginning and continued to remember that the battle was the Lord’s (vs 45 ). Then I noticed that David meets with Saul because (let’s face it) everybody wanted to meet this fool that was going to take on this giant! Saul gives David an armor. David refused. God then leads David to pick 5 smooth stones for his slingshot. It is interesting to me that David refused the defense the King offered him. Often times, we are in a battle in our life. And rather than trust what God gives us to fight with, we feel we need more protection, so we put on whatever the world suggests. The world suggests alcohol/drugs to numb things just a little; it suggests that maybe we just need to run away from it all; the world suggests harsh words that lash and cut; the world suggests we fight with self-help books and talk shows; the world suggests we hold resentment and put only distance between us and the ones who hurt us. Then we wonder why we feel as though we are drowning and the battle rages on. God gave David 5 stones. Not 4, not 6…5 stones. David had these 5 stones, a staff, and a sling shot. If I were David, I probably would have said, “God, are you kidding? Don’t you think I need at least some kind of little dagger or a sharp- kind- of- something?!!! How about a bigger rock at least!!” David picked up the defense God gave him and defeated that giant. I guess what I am trying to say is that I want to be content with God in battle. I want to trust Him with every single aspect of my life. I want Him to control every part of me; my mind, my heart, my body. With this trust, I will be able to fight with whatever and however He leads. God placed this story on my heart tonight. I know many of us are facing battles in our lives at this very moment. If you are God’s child, He promises to be your defender. I noticed that none of the circumstances surrounding David ever became an obstacle for him. He never said, “I’m too small; I’m too young; I’m not skilled; everybody is talking about me and saying I can’t do this.” David knew none of these factors changed the outcome of the battle. David knew who was ‘really’ fighting this battle. How often we get side-tracked by the obstacles around us. For you see, it wasn’t the 5 stones that defeated Goliath, and it wasn’t the boy who slung them…it was God’s power which came because of David’s obedience to fight the way God wanted. We have to remember that if we ask God to fight the battle, then we have to fight it His way. What are your stones God has given you to fight with? Is it silence in the heat of an argument? Is it forgiving someone who has hurt you? Is it simply waiting on Him? Is it burying yourself in His word for more time with Him? To me, the stones are symbolic of David’s faith and obedience to God in the battle. This story tells me that the reason David won the battle with 5 stones is because David trusted the One who told him to gather them…

Love,
Corrie

My prayer for today:
Lord, thank you for this powerful story. Thank you for showing me the significance of David’s 5 stones. Help me to grow closer to you so that I may know you more. Help me to give my battles to you and be obedient to fight with what you tell me to. I trust you with my life, Lord. Be my defender…

Thanks to the ladies of New Prospect Baptist Church in Haleyville, Alabama, for allowing me to speak at their Mothers’ Day Banquet. The fashion show was hilarious and God’s presence was sweet as we opened our hearts to His word. I would also like to thank the women of Harmony Grove Baptist Church in Winfield, Alabama, for inviting me to share my heart at their Mothers and Others luncheon. After a time of wonderful fellowship (and the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever eaten!), we learned of the great spiritual responsibility God has entrusted us with, as mothers, until He comes. I had a wonderful time with my sisters in Christ!

Love,
Corrie

(Please read 2 Samuel Chapters 11-12 before reading the post)

“…and they said, “He is dead.” So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house; and when he requested, they set food before him and he ate.”
1 Samuel 12:19 (beginning in the last part of verse 19) – 20.

I love studying the Bible and all the people God chose to let us read about. But, you know what? There is one person that I am extremely thankful that God didn’t leave out… David! I love to study about David. To me, we can learn so much from him. When David was just a young boy, God let him defeat a giant and become a hero! Here is a man that God loved so much that he chose to be Israel’s king. He even favored David so that He allowed Jesus to come from David’s bloodline. Why? God loved David because David’s passion was making his own heart reflect God’s. In order to make your heart mirror someone else, you must know that person very well. David is one person that we can study in order to know exactly how to have a phenomenal relationship with God. That is one reason I am eager to learn about David. The closeness that was between David and God is what I want too. But, I also noticed another reason I am thankful for David’s story being told in God’s word. David shows us what to do when we mess up and how to ‘get it back on the road’ with God. Before God founded my ministry, I would find myself distant from God and had no clue how to ‘get back’ to Him. I kept wondering how I could keep this from happening with me and God again? God began to show me that preventing distance was all about maintaining closeness. Yep…Duh! Anyway, Filling the Gap is all about the relationship with God and learning that even though sin does distance us from our Father, the cross brings us back with Him again and again through forgiveness. Here’s the kicker: God gets all this. We kind of…. don’t. I always ask God to forgive me for allowing sin to come between Him and me but then I fail to believe He has forgiven me and continue wallowing in self pity(all the while keeping distance). Here’s where David comes in as a great example. In 2 Samuel Chapter 11, David sets his eyes on another man’s wife. To make the story shorter, David commits adultery with Bathsheba and then (to make matters worse) plots to make sure her husband dies on the front lines of battle. But then God sends Nathan to convict David of this sinful spiral he is in. Then, David closes the distance between him and God… he repents. David admits what he did was hurtful to God. David’s sin had repercussion. David’s child that he had with Bathsheba (apart from God’s plan) was taken from him by death. Now, what happens next is the whole point of the post that God placed on my heart. David was honest with God about his emotions and pleaded with God not to take his child. But when the child died, when God did what God thought was best, David worshiped Him. Unbelievable. David worshiped God. Why? How? I believe it was because David knew God so well that He trusted God’s plan for his life. It was that relationship that was in place before anything happened. This is the true meaning of Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” This verse does not say “some things” or “only the things we do that are good”. God can even take our sin and work it out to be the very best for us! The question is do you trust Him? Maybe you feel distant with God right now in your Christian walk. We have proof and a road map on how to be close to God instantly. Tell God you want Him to forgive you, work on a new plan to keep from letting it happen again, and move on to worshiping Him. Why? Because God knows the very best for you and me. I want to have faith like David. I want to know that even when I fail the very God I love so much, I can trust Him with all my decisions. I hope you will too. The good news is that when we do trust God with everything, He proves Himself over and over again. David’s proof of Romans 8:28? A spiritual legacy that gave us a Savior!

Love,
Corrie

My prayer for today:
Lord, how often I fail you. I am so glad that you are the God of forgiveness and that you run to me before I even realize you are there. Forgive me for placing distance between you and I by not accepting that forgiveness. Help me to be like David. Help me to know that you do what you say you will do…

OLD TESTAMENT:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.”      Isaiah 9:6-7

NEW TESTAMENT:

“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.”       Matthew 16:21

 
Easter is one week away. Every year, I find myself more and more excited about Easter. As a Christian, I love to celebrate the birth of Christ, because I know, without that special night in Bethlehem, we wouldn’t have a Saviour. But the day that Savior arose? Wow! The day death was conquered! The day that made it possible for me to have an eternity and be forgiven! Chill Bumps, my friends, chill bumps. So, with that in mind….

The other day, I was making Canaan one of the many snacks that I make for him a day (you moms know what I mean . A commercial came on “his” station and it was one of those teaching/fact things. It said that birds are born with a sharp horn-like instrument on the edge of their beaks, called an egg tooth. This tool, which is given to them before birth (while they are in the egg), enables them to crack out of their egg and hatch. It provides them a way out of a situation that they don’t need to be in any longer. I must tell you, that commercial stayed on my mind all day, all night, and all weekend. When it came time for my post today, I knew God wanted me to sit down and really apply the concept of the ‘egg tooth’ spiritually. You see, before the foundation of the earth, God knew that there would come a day that He would provide you and I a way to be forgiven for our sins. God cannot and will not, tolerate, look at, have any part of, sin. This plan He came up with? Our own “Egg Tooth”… Jesus. It is important for us to realize the strategy behind Easter. It is even more important for us to realize the reason behind the strategy—LOVE. John 3:16 tells us this. God didn’t just look at the world and decide to do something. God knew beforehand. He always knows. Just as He knew the bird would need a way out of it’s shell, He knew you and I would need someone to save us from our sins. We needed a way out of Hell. The scripture at the top of the post confirms this. Before we were born, before Jesus was born, God knew the way out. I wanted us to look at the fact that the plan of the crucifixion and resurrection was set in motion before Christ walked upon the Earth. Isaiah prophesied about the plan. Jesus told the disciples about the plan.What about you? Do you realize you have an ‘egg tooth’? Have you realized that you have access to the greatest gift ever given? I hope you will accept the ‘way out’. I hope you will ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins and to come into your heart and save you. Oh. I almost forgot. There is another avenue to the whole ‘egg tooth’. For the Christian, we continue to have a way to break free from the trials of this life. I am not saying the trials will be taken away, but I am saying we are equipped with an ‘egg tooth’ for the trials that come. It is the one thing Jesus left us with when He ascended: The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives within the Christian and enables us to have God’s attributes (fruits of the Spirit). For you see, without the Holy Spirit, I (Corrie) am nothing more than a sinner with nothing worthy to bring before my Lord. But with God’s Holy Spirit dwelling with in me, I can be kind, peaceful, forgiving, merciful, loving, honorable, … the list goes on. It is important that we know and remember the distinction. The Holy Spirit allows us to have an intimate relationship with God. It is the only way we can live in the land of the living. As the end of time draws near, perhaps you are going through a trial. Perhaps you are going through a trial that seems so dark and scary, you feel trapped and see no end to it whatsoever. I hope you will remember the ‘egg tooth’. From salvation to the Holy Spirit, God never forgets to provide a way out. If He remembered it for the tiniest of animals, like the bird, He will also not forget you. May we remember our ‘egg tooth’ when we feel the following: ” We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-12.

Love,
Corrie

My prayer for today:
Father, I am so thankful for your wisdom, your power, your forgiveness, and most of all, your love. Before I was ever born, you provided me a ‘way out’ of my sin. I can never repay the debt I owe but because of your heart, I don’t have to. Help me to remember that not only do you provide salvation, you provide strength for my trials. Help it to be enough for me…

‘Thank you’ to the ladies of Siloam Missionary Baptist Church in Russellville, Alabama, for inviting me to be a part of their annual women’s luncheon. We came together this past Saturday for both physical and spiritual food. The theme was, “The many hats women wear”, and God truly blessed each heart that attended. May we remember to be wise women who remember to give our ‘hats’ to God….

Love,
Corrie

“You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” Psalm 56:8
Tears. Ever wondered why we have them? Scientist tell us that our bodies secrete tears to keep the eye moist and to prevent it from drying out. Tears are also a reaction to pain of our physical body and are often a result of experiencing emotional pain as well. I even cry when I am happy sometimes! While many animals do secrete tears, many researchers say that only humans produce tears linked with emotion. Nevertheless, tears are important to us. In our society, we sometimes view crying as weak and vulnerable. We often hide our tears. We hide our emotions. We even try to hide them from God. I am not sure why God wanted me to pick tonight to write on the topic of ‘tears’. While He put this post on my heart weeks ago, He waited until tonight for me to write it. Only you know why He waited. He waited for you. I hope you will find this post both comforting and motivating. I know I do…

If you were to ask me one of my most favorite verses in the Bible, I would have a very difficult time because there are so many. But Psalm 56:8 is one that takes my breath away. It all began with a sermon my dad preached years ago entitled, “God’s Tear Bottle.” I can remember looking at that verse and reading it over and over. Here, David is praying to God when he has been seized by the Philistines. I am so thankful for Psalms because it gives us such good documentation of what all David went through. It shows him as a man that often failed God, but a man whose heart loved God and accepted God’s forgiveness. Because of all of David’s trials, he mentions his ‘tears’ several times throughout the book. In Psalm 6:6, David says, ” I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.” Many theologians even believe David battled depression. His circumstances seemed hopeless time and time again. In Psalm 56:8, David is saying that he has cried so much, no bottle could hold all his tears. But, (here’s the good part!), David goes to God and asks God to put his tears in GOD’S tear bottle! Notice, David says ‘in YOUR bottle’! David knew that his God cared that he was crying. David knew his God was keeping up with every single tear he cried. David believed God wrote the reason for every tear down. You are reading this because God wants you to know He cares that you cry. If you have accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour, He catches your tears. Maybe you have been crying over the death of someone you loved with all your heart. Maybe you are crying because of the baby you want to have or the child that you want to come home. Do you cry because your past keeps coming up day after day? Do you cry because you are sick and you hurt so bad, no one can understand? Maybe you cry because of a broken marriage. Perhaps you cry because of a decision you have to make. Maybe you cry because you fear the money you need may not be there. I am writing to tell you that God has caught every tear, my sweet friend. He hasn’t missed one. He has sat right there beside you listening to every single word you cried. Why? Because He loves you. Wow. How comforting. I feel in my heart many of us need to know that tonight…including myself. While that is wonderful, we also have to consider one more thing about tears. Here’s the question: Do we ever cry over our relationship with God? I guess what I am saying is do we care that we fail Him or put more people ahead of Him? Do we cry for those who don’t know Him? Jeremiah is called ‘the weeping prophet’ because it broke his heart when the people of Jerusalem rejected God. This convicted me. I want my heart to be broken over those who still need to hear the gospel. I want to shed tears for those Christians who don’t know about the relationship God desires with us. Listen to Psalm 119:136, “Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.” I truly feel God wanted this post to minister to us in two ways. First, I know God wants us to be comforted. There are many tears being shed for many reasons day and night, and God wants us to know that He hears us. He will come to our aide. He is a great parent and no great parent likes to see their children hurt. Second, I think He wants to remind us that while He will comfort us, are we ever crying over Him? I hope you will join me in redirecting our tears. I hope you and I will be broken over our relationship with Him and for those who don’t know about Him. I believe if we begin to reach others for Him, we will see our own problems become as small as a grain of sand. May we run to Him and allow Him to take away the deep secrets that make us cry…

Love,
Corrie

My prayer for today:
Father, how you have captivated me tonight. You have shown me how much you love me yet challenged my love for you and those around me. I want to weep over my relationship with you. I ask and accept your forgiveness for the distance I have placed between us and for failing to tell those around me about you. Give me a passion for you every single day…

What an awesome time I had Tuesday night with the wonderful women of Green Valley Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama! It was an honor for me to speak at their Heart to Heart conference. We laughed and cried as we allowed God to fill the room with His presence. God was truly welcomed as the guest of honor. May we, as women, never forget that we can have a personal relationship with the Holy, merciful, all-knowing, ever lasting, consuming fire…God!!!!!!!!!!!