Hello Reader,

Summer time has hit us hard already here in SW Florida. The scorching sun and torrential storms have become a rhythm to our summer days.

The downside to summer showers is that all the bugs and critters start seeking dry spaces. The other day I noticed a tiny little ant crawl across my counter. 🤨 Now one ant isn't so bad...but I've been around long enough to know that it's never just one ant. He might simply be the scout, and others are sure to follow.

I watched the little guy, and after a few seconds realized my son had left some crumbs on the counter from his latest late night baking concoction. (There is a whole lot to talk about there, but that's for another day!) Sweeping up the crumbs and killing off the ants I felt like the victor and thought nothing more of the little creatures. Until my husband moved our laundry basket and noticed a line of ants along the baseboard in our bathroom. What?!?!

There were no crumbs, no sneaky culprits to draw them, how and why would they be there?

This meant war.

Chemicals were sprayed and we whacked at ants until no more were found. The next day when he found some over by a window, I admitted defeat and called my pest guy. Time to get the professionals back over and pulverize these pesky intruders. I wasn't willing to waste another day trying to defeat them myself, and I also was not willing to risk more coming into the house by not acting quickly.

It's amazing how tiny little ants can cause such a big nuisance and an added expense.

As I'm studying the book of Joel this week I can't help but think about how the Israelites were terrorized by locust. This plague served as a warning that more judgment was coming. While the locust themselves were a result of covenant judgment (Deuteronomy 28:42), they also served as a warning sign that God wanted the people to deal with their sin by repenting because of the judgment of an army of locust before them, before God had to bring an army of warriors to conquer them and expel them from the land.

Sadly, the people didn't pay attention to the warning signs that things were wrong and they needed to deal with their sin. Their pride made them feel invincible, and I find it ironic that a bug was able to cripple the nation by destroying their crops and cattle. The pride of man was no match for the army of locust, as God brought the bugs in to humble the nation.

Clearly the theme of the week in my world has been battling bugs, but as I crush ants, I'm also inspecting my heart and crushing the little creatures that sneak in uninvited and try to take residence in my heart. I'm crushing the anger when it wants to sneak in, or I'm crushing pride when it wants to come up. I'm proactively declaring war on all these little bugs that like to come into my life uninvited and cause damage and destruction.

In addition, I'm praying each day for eyes to see and hears to hear where, when, and how God is warning me about anything in my life. The Israelites failed to listen to the warnings and repent, and it didn't end well. God sent warning sign after warning sign, but they wouldn't repent.

Listen, if you haven't figured it out by now, I surely don't want an army of any kind of creature to be a warning sign from God in my life, but more than that, I don't want my heart to get to the point of hardness toward God where He would need to send some huge event to get my attention. I want my heart so tender to His voice, and so obedient to His call, that when He whispers I jump.

So this week, I'm asking you the tough question I've been wrestling with. What bugs have crept into your life? Is God warning you to expel some area of sin, be it fear, anxiety, anger, jealousy, lust, etc.? Take some time today and take inventory of your life, spirit, actions, and attitudes. Don't wait, it's not worth it!

Father, Your mercy is bountiful and Your kindness great that You would send us warning after warning. Help us to not miss, ignore, or become hardened to Your voice and the kindness of Your warning signs to us. Soften our hearts so we repent quickly for our sin, and strengthen our resolve to walk obediently to Your Word every day of our lives. I pray these things in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Spirit, amen.

In His Grace,

Study the Book of Joel

This minor prophet has a major message for us, even today. Join this 5-day study on the book of Joel as we learn about God's response to repentance, His heart for restoration, His promise of redemption, and what it means to experience the "day of the Lord."

Click the link below to sign up and start today! 👇🏻

Let's Connect on Social 😁

​​​​​​​​​

​ Natalia Drumm is a wife, homeschooling mother to three boys, and graduate from Dallas Theological Seminary with a passion for women's ministry and sharing the Gospel. Seeking to glorify God through equipping women to study Scripture and grow in their faith, she is the creator of Girlfriends in the Word™ Bible studies for busy women. To learn more, or connect with her online you can find her on Instagram @nataliadrumm or check out her website www.nataliadrumm.com​

​

​

We would hate to see you go, but if at any time you want to change your email preferences and receive less email you can update your profile or unsubscribe below. But please don't go, we love having you around!