When you feel fragile

  But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  ~2 Corinthians 4:7

Have you ever felt fragile?  Overwhelmed with the cares of the world that you feel like you just might break?  I have.  I felt like that yesterday and I cried out to God.  I was gripping the reins hard, but what I realized is that I was gripping the wrong thing.  I needed to be grasping God's hand and surrendering it all to Him.  

My friend reminded me that His grace is sufficient for me.   But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.( 2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

When I did not think I would make it, I did.  Not by my power, but His.  Jesus gives me victory. It is he who strengthens me.  Feeling fragile was okay because it drew me closer to Him.  I remember just saying 'Jesus do it"  and He did.

Fragile days remind me to walk humbly with God.  They remind me to have compassion for other.  This world is crazy, but I have a Father who rules.  A Father who is not surprised. A Father who holds my hands.  Today is a better day.  Circumstances have not changed, but the promise of God remains.  His strength flows through me.

Lord, I am a jar of clay.  I have cracks, but that allows your light to shine through me.  Keep me humbled and surrendered.  Thank You for keeping me.  Thank You for allowing me to walk in victory.  Thank You for Jesus. Bless all those who may be feeling fragile today. In Jesus name I pray.  Amen 

He's always at work.

 “But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.’”

John 5:17 (NLT)

The scripture above was the foundational scripture for a devotion I read today.  Immediately when I read it I felt comforted.  I was comforted because I was reminded that God is always working on my behalf.  Jesus is always interceding.  He is with me in the car granting me traveling mercies.  He is with me on my job, granting me moments to breathe before I begin to tackle the day.  He goes before me  and is with me always.

God cares about me.  My big brother and Savior,  Jesus, loves me.   I am okay, better than okay, because of His grace and mercy.  So whatever circumstances I may dealing with, my God is good.  My God is bigger and my God is working it out for my good ( Romans 8:28). 

Real talk, there is a lot on my plate, but knowing I can go to God; being able to trace His hands brings me comfort.  I am not alone and I do not do life alone.  Thank You Jesus.

Lord, You are God and You are wise in all that You do.  Thank You for working for me and my fellow man.  Thank You for caring about the details of my day.  Thank You for caring about my relationship with You.  I thank You for Your intercession and Your grace.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Peace

 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. ~ Isaiah 26:3

Something clicked for me today.  Something I have known internally for a long time, but it still just made me take a sigh of relief.  The peace comes in the believing, in the the trusting in a God who is faithful and true.  As Terrian sings, He is a "Big God".  

It's more than knowing everything is going to work out.  Its knowing that my circumstances do not define my God.  Its being determined and unwavering in my belief in a great and wise God.  

I tell you, a smile comes across my face and a joy that comes from Him leaps inside my heart because I know Him. I know the Savior.  Jesus who died on the cross for my sins and was raised again so that I can live with Him eternally.  A Father who would give His Son for a sinner like me just so that we can be in intimate relationship.  The Holy Spirit that guides my daily walk and talks to me showing me the way.

I have His peace.  Not my peace that come from a limited self-sufficiency, but the abounding peace of God because I trust in Him and not self.  I give my outcomes to Him and thank Him for the blessing of Jesus. I serve and unshakable God and I want an unshakable faith.

Lord, the peace comes from You.  You freely give it.  Help us to keep our eyes and minds on You and not our circumstances.  Do not let us get blinded by the many blessings that You stow upon us, but always help us to see You and give You the praise that You deserve.  Forgive us for our sins.  Keep us with You always.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Letting Go

 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” ~ Psalm 46:10

I need to let go and let God.  There are days when I try to hold a tight control on the events in my life.  Being a teacher requires me to be in control of my classroom and to be able to attack my additional duties with gusto.  Add life to the mix and it can become pretty overwhelming.  When life gets chaotic and even before, I need to remember that God is in control.  I need to trust that whatever the day may bring that He is with me.

I need to remember who I am in Him, a daughter of the King and there is nothing that can happen that will separate me from His love. (Romans 8:38).  He has me front, back, and sides.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ( Philippians 4:13).  I need to rest in His word; His truth.  I need to know without a doubt that God's got me.  He is my blessed assurance.

As I feel the weight of the pressure to perform taken off my shoulder, I can see opportunities in my classroom to minister to my students.  I see opportunities to be ministered to as I join my colleagues in morning prayer.  I see the expression of love from my husband.  My day becomes more than just run, run, run.  Rather it becomes an opportunity for me to say yes to God and rest in the Sovereignty of His will, authority, and power.

Lord, the enemy would have me overwhelmed and stressed, but You remind me how blessed I truly am.  Blessed to know that I don't have to have it all together.  I do not have to be perfect, but perfectly willing to be used by You.  I can trust with my days and my outcomes.  You only want the best for me.  You love me and I am grateful.  In Jesus name. Amen

Sing Holy Forever

 

Holy Forever

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: :" Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was , and is, and is to come."~ Romans 4:8

All creation cries Holy!  I cry Holy and lift the name of the Jesus up.  I lift my Father up!  I lift the Holy Spirit Up.  I wanted to write about something else today, but the Lord has other plans.  It's just amazing how the Father works.  In full transparency I started my day as if I was running a race and barely keep one step in front of the enemy, but God reminded me who is Lord.  He reminded me that He is with me.  His presence is with me and He gives me rest. The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14.

My soul rejoices and I can't help but give a Hallelujah shout and cry out to the One who will always be Holy Forever.  I will sing to the One who stands above them all.  I will recall His promise to me.. "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" ~ Isaiah 41:10.

The goodness of the Lord is evident and I thank Him for  His mercy and grace.  I praise Him for His pursuit of me.  I thank Him for His salvation.  I thank Him for His voice that speaks to me.  I thank Him for His word.  I thank Him for being God and cry out Holy Forever.

I do not know what trial or challenge you may be facing today, but know that God fights for you.  Know that you will have victory and life more abundantly because God says so.  Pause for a moment, reflect on His goodness and give a Hallelujah praise.  Sing holy to the Holy One and feel His presence and the warmth of His love.

 Jesus You are magnificent.  You are Righteous and Holy.  You are remarkable.  You are love.  You are than any word can describe.  I thank You for presence and help.  I thank You for even thinking of me.  I love You Lord.  May I live a holy life to reflect You to the world.  In Jesus name. Amen

Choose Victory

 This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.~ Psalm 118:24

This last week my pastor made the statement that victory is a choice.  It was a profound statement for me because it is true.  How I choose to live my day is up to me.  The way I approach my day is up to me and how choose to handle the potholes or speedbumps om my path way is my choice.  

The Lord has given me this day, blessing number one.  I can choose to rejoice in it or choose to be sour about having to crawl out of bed. ( I can crawl, blessing two).  The fact that  God keeps me every day is a reason to rejoice and it keeps me on the pathway to victory.  I set my heart posture for gratitude and open to all that He will bring (blessing three and beyond).

Now the enemy doesn't want me to be whistling and praising God.  He wants my mind to be on circumstances. He wants me anxious.  He wants me downcast and defeated, but God has the final say and I choose to believe God.  

Just this morning, I was feeling blue.  I didn't know why, but I told myself as David did why should my soul be downcast (Psalm 42:5).  I gave it to God and reflected on all the ways He blesses me.  I reflected over my life and thought about all the outcomes from trusting in God.  Nothing is too hard for God or too big.  I have a reason to rejoice.  

He has given me a peace that surpasses all understanding.  I am no longer feeling blue.  I'm calm and rest as I live my life humbly dependent on Him and surrendered to Him.  If I am walking in dependence and surrender I am walking in victory.  It's not me, but His favor and mercy.  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~1 Corinthians 15:57  Join me today and everyday in choosing victory.

Lord, I thank You for free will and I thank You for the wisdom to choose You everyday.  I do not always get it right, but I thank You for every day that You give me.  Let my joy overflow to my students and fellow faculty.  May sweet aroma of You fill them.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Don't Quit

 

Don't Quit Now

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ~Galatians 6:9

Recently I've seen a couple of commercials that focus on a person not quitting.  The temptation of chair appears and chases them, but they keep going.  They don't quit.  

It's almost four weeks from the start of the new year.  Some of our aspirations may be hitting the wall, but I'm reminded to not quit.  As a school teacher, I feel the pressures of school's goal weighing heavy on me. There is so much they want to get done and so little time to do it.  It makes me want to pause and tap out, but I have a purpose to fulfill.  I can't quit.  I can't give in now.

With God's help, I will have His strength and peace of mind as I seek His face.  I remember His grace and mercy and open my arms to receive what He so freely gives.  I recognize that He is Lord and I am a vessel that He works through.  Kids needs to see His light; they need to feel His love.

Maybe you have hit a wall emotionally, physically, financially, or spiritually.  Be encouraged.  Encourage yourself and remind yourself of who You are in Christ Jesus.  Remember that His Spirit lives within You.  Remember that He is Your shepherd and that You are not alone.  Inhale the Lord and receive His comfort.  Know this...For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.-Psalm 84:11. Do not quit.  He loves us and wants what's best for us.  So continue to walk in faith and trust in the Lord.

Father, the enemy would have doubt ourselves, but You came to give us life more abundantly.  Let us walk in that truth.  Let us walk in victory.  Give us strength.  Provide for us what we stand in need us because we know You to be a loving Father.  We thank You for being God.  We praise and worship Your Holy Name.  Forgive us when we stray and bring us back to You.  In Jesus name,  Amen