Tag: #godspromises

The Master of the Battering Ram

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

In Ezekiel 26, the city of Tyre appeared invincible. They were the financial and political powerhouse of their time, protected by huge walls and a sense of “god-like” significance. But verse 9 shows us that even the strongest human defenses are like paper before the Lord.

“He will direct the blows of his battering rams against your walls and demolish your towers with his weapons” (Ezekiel 26:9, ESV)

Today, we see leaders who act as if they control history. They boast, threaten, and create chaos, making us feel anxious. But Ezekiel reminds us that only God is the Lord and King. Judgment Day is what equalizes everyone. Those who see themselves as gods will eventually fall to their knees before the only true King. This isn’t just about punishment; it’s about restoring the right order. When man tries to sit on God’s throne, God will remind the world who truly owns it.

The most encouraging (and mysterious) part of God’s sovereignty is His ability to use “bad actors” for His divine purposes. In Ezekiel’s time, He used a pagan king to carry out judgment.

Even when the world feels chaotic, God is guiding the “blows.” Often, God allows earthly systems to be shaken so that the “shakable” things fall away, leaving only His Kingdom standing (Hebrews 12:27).

As a partner/owner of a handyman company, I’ve seen firsthand that sometimes we must tear out the rot before we can fix the house. God isn’t just a God of destruction; He is a God of restoration. He allows the “towers” of pride to fall so that people will stop focusing on their own achievements and begin looking at the Throne.

We watch the news and see chaos—leaders boasting about their power and walls they believe cannot be broken. But Ezekiel 26:9 reminds us that there is only one true King. The battering rams of history are in His hands. Whether He is building up or tearing down, His purpose is always to bring us to the end of ourselves so we can find our beginning in Him. Today, don’t fear the turmoil; trust the Architect.

Ezekiel 26:9 depicts a scene of violent upheaval. Large walls are torn down; weapons of war break what people believed to be everlasting. In today’s world, we experience this kind of “shaking” every time a new leader takes power or a global crisis emerges. It feels like the ground is shifting beneath our feet.

But then we have the promise of Hebrews 13:8:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

The rulers Ezekiel mentioned—and those we see on the news today—are subject to the cycle of “yesterday, today, and tomorrow” in time. They rise for a season, and they fall.

  • The Puffed-Up Ruler: They believe their power is theirs alone.
  • The Sovereign Truth: They are simply tools. God is the one who “removes kings and sets up kings” (Daniel 2:21). Because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, His standards for justice and His authority over the nations never change. He was in charge during Ezekiel’s time, and He is in charge of today’s headlines.

It’s truly inspiring to realize that the God who directed the “blows of the battering ram” against ancient evil is the same God watching over our lives today.

  • Yesterday: He brought down the towers of Tyre to prove His Lordship.
  • Today: He is using the turmoil of our world to shake our reliance on earthly things.
  • Forever: He will reign in a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

When world leaders create chaos, our hearts often respond with fear because we focus on the change. We worry about what might happen tomorrow. But if God is the same forever, then His promises of protection, His plan for redemption, and His ultimate victory remain unchanging.

The world’s walls may fall, and its leaders may boast, but the Rock of Ages remains unmoved. He does not experience ‘bad days.’ He is never taken by surprise by a coup or an election, and His character stays as holy and powerful as it was the day He spoke the world into existence.

“When you look at the ‘walls’ being torn down in our world today, are you looking at the destruction, or are you looking at the Unchanging Hand that holds the tools?”

A Prayer for Peace

 Father God,

Today, as we acknowledge that You alone are the High King over all the earth, we confess that our hearts are often troubled by the headlines and turmoil caused by the leaders of this world.

Still, we thank You for the truth of Your Word in Ezekiel 26:9. We thank You that no battering ram moves without Your hand, and no earthly power exists unless You have allowed it. We lift up the ‘puffed-up’ rulers of our day—those who believe they are gods and masters of their own destiny. We ask that You would use even their actions to bring about Your divine purposes, to destroy evil, and to lead hearts back to You.

We rejoice in the promise that even as the world changes constantly, Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. You are the Anchor that never slips, the Rock that never cracks. When earthly kingdoms shake, we stay strong with our feet grounded in Your unshakable Kingdom.

Forgive us for relying on human walls for strength. Today, we choose to rest in Your sovereignty. We exchange our anxiety for Your peace, knowing that the Architect of the Universe remains on His throne and that You are working all things together for the good of those who love You (Romans 8:28).

In light of your truth and sovereign will, we plead for peace in the Middle East and protection for our troops and your people everywhere.

Bring comfort to those feeling overwhelmed by the world’s chaos and let Your light shine through the cracks of the falling towers of man.

In the mighty and unchanging name of Jesus,

Amen.

“It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.” — Isaiah 40:22–23

“The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” — Isaiah 2:17

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” — Hebrews 12:28

“He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.” — Daniel 2:21

Challenge:

Each time you hear news that makes your heart sink, immediately whisper: ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let His consistency quiet the chaos of the world.

Protection and Promises

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

God’s promises are sprinkled throughout the Bible, encouraging us not to give up.  When Moses questioned his ability to carry out God’s plan, lead the Israelites, and ask God’s name, God reassured him, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14, ESV, Emphasis added). He instructed Moses to tell the people I AM sent me—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:14).  

In Hebrew, “I am” can be translated as “I will be.” In context, verse 12 records God telling Moses He will be with him. The name Yahweh (the Lord) also reminds us of God’s promises to His people and His help fulfilling their calling. God’s name indicates His character and attributes (ESV Study Bible notes, Exodus 3:14).  

Later, when Joshua took leadership, God gave him a notable task and told him to “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6). God doesn’t give orders and leave Joshua to his own devices. He gave a daunting task, yes, but He framed it with promises: “I will be with you” (v. 5) and “The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (v. 9). These examples indicate a compassionate God who will never leave us.

Besides the promises and the task, God also shows Joshua how to succeed by not turning from the Lord’s instructions, which are integral to who he is and what he does. Likewise, we are given instructions to live by; a role model in Jesus Christ, to imitate, and promises to help us stay strong and courageous.

Peace comes from God’s love inside us. Stress and worry are not of God. Believe and receive the goodness of God. Faith captures the essence of God in a believer’s heart. He is undeniably for us. We do not need to fear, because the Lord is our helper (Heb. 13:6). We can trust in the One who holds eternity in His hand. He promises never to forsake us (Ps. 94:14). The hiccups in life are only temporary.

If we face a task God gives us, we can step out in faith, knowing He will not leave us to pursue it alone. He will open and close doors to guide our path. It is vital to remain in communion with Him, asking that His will be done.

We can lean on the promise that Christ is coming back for us, as John records Jesus’ words, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am preparing a place for you? And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am, you may be also” (John 14:1-3, Emphasis added).  

Sweet promises that sustain us until that day comes. We can find rest in these assurances.

For the last few years, I have been able to hold on to a personal promise, which I pass along to other abuse survivors: You are a beautiful flower in My garden. I send rain and sunlight to nurture you and help you grow. You are protected under the care of the Master Gardener, never to be plucked and taken away from Me again.

How are we to live in light of these promises?

Freely and joyfully, living life to the fullest, showing others the way of Christ in love. Our eternal perspective changes our attitude, as we are charged to keep our focus on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2). We can listen for God in the day-to-day tasks and show the love of Christ to everyone we meet. Don’t get caught up in the minutia; be Kingdom-minded, doing them for God instead of men (Col. 3:23).

“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I John 4:4, Emphasis added).

The Transformative Word of God

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

The Word of God is not just a text; it’s a potent force that can transform lives. In 2 Cor. 10: 4-5, Paul urges the Corinthians to seize every thought and make it obedient to Christ. This transformative power of the Word is our key, offering us hope and inspiration. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we, like Paul, can dismantle strongholds of wrong thinking and behavior, paving the way for a more enlightened and hopeful future.

John’s writing tells us that Jesus Christ is the living Word that reveals the glory of God—a pre-existing life-giving person (John 1:1-18, NLT).

The Word of God possesses the strength to create everything around us – including us – and demolish strongholds, a testament to its unparalleled power. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary expounds that it represents Jesus’ message, the message about Jesus and Jesus Himself (Brand 1666).

The book of Psalms paints a majestic picture of how the Word, with its remarkable power, directs nature and comes to the aid of His people. This power is a testament to the divine origin of the Word and its ability to bring about miraculous changes in our lives.

“He sends his orders to the world – how swiftly his word flies! He sends snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws (Ps. 147: 15-18, emphasis added).

“He sent out his word and healed them, snatching them from the door of death” (Ps. 107:20, emphasis added).

The Word of God is not a passive entity; it is described as living, active, sharp, piercing, and discerning (Hebrews 4:12)—God’s utterance delivers awe-inspiring results, engaging us in a dynamic relationship with our faith.

Hebrews records that God’s promise and oath are unchangeable because God can’t lie. We can have confidence in our hope in Christ (Hebrews 6:18). The Word, as the Gospel message, gives us steadfast hope that is strong and trustworthy, like an anchor for our souls (v19).

With this in mind, we can claim every promise that is ours as His children and heirs with Christ (Gal. 3:29). Abraham never hesitated in believing God’s promises. He was convinced that God would do whatever He promised (Romans 4:20-21). We can have the same confidence today because God’s Word is God. God is Love (I John 4:8). He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), providing us with a reliable anchor for our faith.

When He ascended to heaven, Jesus left us the gift of peace for our hearts and minds—one of many promises we can claim—something the world cannot give (John 14:27).

When we accept Christ, we receive a new heart and spirit. The Holy Spirit Jesus speaks of as our Advocate who reminds us of these promises and gives us hope to persevere. The OT also speaks of this, pointing to Christ when God showed Ezekiel in a vision that He can bring dry bones to life (Ezek. 37:1-14). The breath in this passage is the Spirit. These passages often end with God’s promise that He has spoken and will do what He says (36:36; 37:14).

When I surrendered my life to Christ, these dry bones came to life for the first time. The weight I was carrying from my past lifted immediately with the utterance of one question—God, what do you want? I had never asked this before because I was focused on what I wanted (or thought I wanted).

Can you relate?

Maybe it’s time to ask God what He wants for you.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30, NIV, Emphasis added).

“From his abundance, we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17, NLT, Emphasis added).

I Believe!

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell
Mt. Rainier

Do you believe God parted the Red Sea as though it were dry ground? Do you believe the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down? Do you believe God shut the mouths of lions, quenched flames of fire and placed Jonah in the belly of a whale? Do you believe Noah built an ark to save his family from the flood? I could go on and on through scripture how God saved His people, preformed miracles and changed lives through the faith of His people.

I believe because I have seen first hand in my own life how God spared my life from a tragic car accident, saved me from an abusive relationship, brought good out of my mistakes and bad decisions, and I could on and on about that as well.

We all have our blanks? How do you fill in the blank? What have you seen God do in your life that causes you to believe?

I believe because God saved me from________________________________________.

How has God changed your life so much that you know it could only be Him?

So why not trust Him with this?

Whatever your ‘this’ is right now. That daunting thing that looks overwhelming, but you know God brought you to it. It reminds me of the song lyrics, ‘I’ve seen You move, You move the mountains, and I believe I will see You do it again.’ Friend, when we’ve seen God work in our lives before, we can believe He will do it again. If we believe we can receive everything He has for us, in full measure and abundance. If we believe we will receive. Hold tight to that confidence- not in ourselves but in what God can do in and through us when we believe, have faith and trust Him with the results.

This also comes with a warning; it probably won’t look like what we thought, but we can trust God with the outcome and believe where He is leading us will be even better than we ever imagined for ourselves.

When you get a chance, read through Hebrews chapter 11. Refresh yourself in one chapter with what all God has achieved through those who believed.

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Pink Unicorns

by Angela K. Crow-Mitchell

It may seem odd that I am writing something called ‘Pink Unicorns’ or that God can use something like that to send me a message, but I am here to tell you that He did and He can use anything that He feels will resonate with the person He is trying to reach.

At a time in my life when I was in a dark place and an abusive relationship, I had a dream that me and the guy I was with at the time were sitting on top of bleachers in an open field. I looked up and, in the distance, I saw three old planes coming into view and they flew over our heads. Next, I saw 3 newer fighter jets and they also flew over us. Then I saw black hawk helicopters and they flew on past.

Last, I saw something white flying towards us, as they got closer, I could see that it was several solid white horses, but they didn’t fly on past. As they begin to land in the distance, I could see the last few were pastel colors; blue, pink and purple. They started to head my direction and as they approached, I saw they were unicorns. They were so beautiful! They came straight up to me. I held out my hand and just as the first one got close enough to touch my hand, I woke up.

At the time it was a beautiful sight, but I didn’t know what it meant. I was in a controlling relationship where I gave in to every command. Now if your abuser/controller has that kind of manipulating power over you, where he is getting everything he desires, do you really think he is going to make you move out? That is exactly what happened to me. At the time it caused pain, heartbreak and confusion. But now, I can see it was God working in my life and causing this person to be so unhappy with the situation that he threw me out; (By the way, that is something I now thank God for every day!)

I had a tendency as a people-pleaser to stay in a bad situation much longer than I should. I was trying everything in my power to make this relationship work. Problem was just that…everything in “my” power.  At the time, I did not have Jesus in my life.

I was sitting in quiet time with the Spirit, reflecting on some dreams. He brought this dream back to the forefront of my memory with an explanation and I saw the image of a pink unicorn.

“Human armies couldn’t have gotten you to leave him. Some will pass you by and not even stop to save you. But I will send My army of white horses for you. They will come in a form you won’t expect or understand at first, but it will be unique and beautiful.”

He was so right about that. I can see now in hindsight how He was working in my life to get me away from this situation. All of this happened just a few short months before my life-changing year.

Funny thing, I started seeing pink unicorns everywhere I went. I thought about my dream and how God saved me. But I didn’t think of writing about it at the time. A few weeks later, I began to see even more pink unicorns and one day I lost count I saw so many. (Not actual live ones…but you know- images in stores on everything. Ha!)

The next morning, during a run I was processing how many I saw the day before and I asked him to reveal to me if there was another message, I needed to receive from them. That is when He gave me this message to write. In my experience, when I don’t get His intention at first, He puts it in front of me again and again until I get the message.

If we pay attention to the things God is trying to tell us, there is always a prominent message in it, and it can bring the type of change that we don’t know we need. We can rely on His promises and know that He will come for us with an army of warriors to bring us home.

How have you seen God work in your life?