Battling the shadows of fear

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.~Psalm 56:3

Fear is described as an unpleasant emotion. In essence it is being in a state of dread about something real or imagined; worry of attack or threat.  Fear, makes me uncomfortable.  It sets me on edge and like a child throw the covers over my head hoping the monster won’t see me.   

Fear wants me to be afraid and to hide and  in the shadows because it knows that the light will dispel its power.  God’s Word is that light of truth that will lead us and guide our steps when the shadows of fear come.  He tells us in Psalm 119:105 that His Word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.  

We know that God did not give us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind ( 2 Timothy 1:7). So when fear lurks it’s head or we become afraid we must shed the truth of His light on it.  We must trust God and take Him at His Word.  He lets us know that when we are afraid, we can trust Him ( Psalm 56:3) and we can remember that if God be for us who can stand against?! ( Romans 8:31).

When fear comes we can shine a spotlight on our Father who gave His only Son for us that we might live( John 3:16).  We can lift up the light of Jesus who covers us in His shed blood.  He has overcome  the world and so we do not have to let our hearts be troubled ( John 16:33).  Yes, we face troubles, but we are more than conquers in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:37).

So we can face those things that would make us be afraid with confidence, knowing that we are not alone.  That His peace is there to calm our minds as we trust Him.  God is with us and we do not have to be discouraged or afraid ( Joshua 1:9).  I don’t have to hide under the covers, but I can come out and stand in the light of His love.

Father, so many things come at me and there are times when I just want to run and hide.  Father, in those times may I recall your word and run to the safety of your arms and stay in the shelter of your wings.  Let me remember that You are with me in the shadows.  You have given me power, love, and a sound mind.  Let me not be afraid, but trust that You’ve got me.  Let me trust in your sovereignty over my life, knowing that whatever touches me had to go through You first.  Father, may I just take one moment at a time, giving it to You and trusting You to lead me on the right path.  You are good Lord. Trustworthy and true.  Help me unbelief.  Help me trust in You so that I will not be afraid.  In Jesus name. Amen

There’s a rainbow in the sky...

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.~Genesis 9:13

Yesterday , I saw the most beautiful rainbow arched in the sky.  It looked just like the one’s that you see on a Lucky Charms commercial or the stories about leprechauns finding the pot of gold.  The colors were so vibrant and it looked like the rainbow actually touched the earth.  

But here’s the thing, I drove right through it.  I Sure, my mind registered it, but my soul did not pause to respond to the gift that God was sharing with me and the world.  I was too consumed with running through all my cares and to-do lists, that I missed the sweet visual reminder of God’s steadfast covenant love. 

I failed to just take a moment to soak in the truth of God’s love for me; a reminder of hope and assurance that I am not alone.  A reminder that the floods of the cares of this life will not over-take me ( Isaiah 43:2).

Yet, my Father is all knowing and merciful.  The first words spoken to me once I reached my destination was, “Did you see that rainbow?”  You see, He covered me with His grace.  He met me where I was and turned my focus back to Him and His character.  He took my mind off of what I cannot do in my own strength to remember all the possibilities that lie before because of what HE Can Do- all things! This in Him, in Christ Jesus, I can do all things because He strengthens me ( Philippians 4:13).

My message today is to pause and take in the beauty and majesty of God; to marvel at the manifestation of His Word.  To not just “drive through” life trying to get to the next destination, but rather to walk with God as you walk the journey.  Do not be discouraged or dismayed for God is with us and we are not forsaken (Deuteronomy 31:6) His covenant is true and we can trust in Him.

Lord, I thank You for the rainbows.  Showers and clouds may come, but I can trust You to keep your Word.  I trust your Word and I thank You for your steadfast love.  Father, just help me to take one day at a time;walking with You by faith so that my heart may see what my eyes cannot. I give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus name. Amen 

God is always good!: Finding joy in the midst of a trial.

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.~1 Chronicles 16:34

I have no clever words, but I have a praise on my lips.  Praise the wells up from the bottom of my soul for my God and my Savior for He is good.  He is good not because every situation and circumstance has worked out just like I thought it would, but just because He is God.  He is present and true to His Word.  He can be counted on and trusted.  

You know sometimes circumstances can just be thrust upon you, or so it may seem from our perspective. And here again is why God is good.  He is good because His ways and thoughts are so far above us.  

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth,so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.-Isaiah 55:8-9

 His view and thoughts are not limited by our human thinking.  Everything and I mean everything is under His control.  Whatever test or trial that we go through is just another opportunity for us to praise God and watch Him work in us and through us.  These tests, these “Mack Trucks” that sometimes slams right into our lives unexpectedly did not catch our Father off guard. 

James 1:2-4 tells us to

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

This concept of joy during difficult times may seem foreign or unrealistic, but my joy is not in the suffering but in my good, good Father who is with me.  He is with me every step of the way so that even when chaos swarms I can feel His peace.   I rejoice in the knowledge that I can face the Goliath’s of my life because it is not I who slays them, but my Father.  I rejoice because I know for myself, not what someone told me, but my heart knows just how much He loves me. I rejoice and experience the joy of expectation for what He is going do next because my Father does great things. He does wonderful things, things planned long ago.

I serve a good God, the only God, who is intentional about His plans for me ( Jeremiah 29:11). I do not know what tomorrow holds or the next second for that matter, but I do know that God is working it out for my good.  

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.~Romans 8:28

So I give thanks to my Lord for He is good.  I thank Him for His loving kindness and His faithfulness.  I thank Him for not giving me a spirit of fear, but rather love, power and a sound mind( 2 Timothy 1:7).  I thank Him for the opportunity for Him to be glorified in my life through whatever situation and outcome that He seems fit.  I thank Him for moving me from one glory to the next.  Christ in me my hope of glory ( Colossians 1:27).

Father, I love You and I thank You.  I thank You for your sovereignty over my life and every situation and circumstance.  I thank You for another opportunity to praise You.  I thank You for opening my eyes to see beyond what is in front of me.  Thank You for your Word and love that regulates my thinking.  I thank You for You, for time in your presence. I pray that as I go through this current trial that I hold on to the joy of You and that You be lifted up and glorified.  I pray this for all of my brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Not my will Lord, but thine be done.  In Jesus name. Amen 

The Before and After

Before picture:

This is what the Lord says: “ ‘Your woundb is incurable, your injury beyond healing. 13 There is no one to plead your cause, no remedy for your sore, no healinge for you. ~Jeremiah 30:12-13

After picture:

But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the Lord, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.~Jeremiah 30:11

In these two verses I see a before and after picture.  Before Christ, there was no hope.  No cure for the wounds that cut deep.  There was no remedy for the sores on my soul caused by sin, whether they be self inflected or the afflictions of living in a sinful world.  Either way I was lost.  I can see so vividly how I was stuck in the pit of despair and sadness.  I was an exile, an outcast from all that I knew.  I was a Christian.  I believed in God and what Jesus did on the cross.  Yet, I stood outside of my life looking at it crumble before my very eyes because my knowledge of Him was so elemental and my thinking limited.  Instead of running to Him.  I ran away from Him and to false gods seeking comfort that only He could bring.  How I functioned then is beyond, but I know that it was only by His grace.  

That was then, before a true relationship with Christ.  Before I truly began to receive the love that He has for me.  In  the after is restoration. Praise God for the after.  In the after  is redemption and hope.  I find it to be so amazing that many of the same afflictions are present, such as my struggle with bipolar disorder.  Yet, I no longer stand outside of myself, but rather with God at my side.  The after picture shows a balm of the Lord healing my wounds. What I can not do and man can not do, God does through the blood of His Son Jesus. 

In the after I can look beyond my present circumstances and know that a better day is coming.  I can get up when I am tired and weary because I know that I can go to God for strength.  In the after I run to Him.  I lay my head of in chest and receive comfort.  I hold on to His hand so that I can go in the right direction.  I remember that my part does not have to be my future and I rest in the present with the hope and assurance of His love.

Father, I thank You for the before and the after.  I thank You for your discipline and correction.  I thank You for the healing that only You can bring. I thank You for the hope that is You.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

By His Design

He said, "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.~Jeremiah 18:6

Yesterday,  I saw a beautiful display of pottery.  They were in all different shapes and sizes.  The colors were vibrant and each creation had a purpose.  I overheard the artist remark that they were all made with dusts and water.  My mind immediately leaped to Jeremiah 18:6 

He said, "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.~Jeremiah 18:6

This verse has stayed with me over the last week or so.  I find such comfort in knowing that God is the one shaping and molding my life, especially when it feels like everything is out of sorts.  This verse wells up within to remind me that I am God’s design and I will be what He has declared me to be, even if that means He has to shatter me to make something new and even better.

At first thought, shattering sounds so devastating.  Why would God want me to experience that type of “horror”? Why would I need to experience the heartaches abs heartbreaks of life?  That is definitely one way to look at trials and tribulations, however God has told us to count them all joy.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.~James 1-2-4

Therefore, when see God reminding us in Jeremiah 18:6 that He is God and that there is nothing that is impossible for Him (Luke 1:37).  I see Him breaking those things in me that will keep me from displaying His glory.  I see the beauty in the fractures because my brokenness opens me up to the many possibilities that God has waiting for me to receive and be.  He is taking the dust of my mistakes and imperfections and adding His Spirit, His living water ( John 4:10) and creating a unique work of art.  

This jar of clay is being made with purpose.  I made with a hidden treasure (2 Corinthians 4:7).  So no matter what happens in my life. I know that God is at work.  He is at the wheel shaping me.  It does not matter how dark things may seem or how warped my life may look at the moment, I can trust God. There is nothing is too difficult for Him ( Jeremiah 32:27).  There is no situation or circumstance that He can not handle.  No affliction of the mind or body that He can not heal and allow me to overcome, for He is my potter and I am His clay.

Father, thank You for being God.  Thank You for keeping me in your love.  Father, it is You who has formed me and it is You alone who can shape me into what You have declared.  Father, help me to rest in your hands and trust your grace.  Help me Lord, to remember that it is You who adds breath to my life.  It is Your living water that turns my dust into clay.  Every day is full of opportunities and reasons to rejoice because my life is in your hands.  Thank You and may my life bring You glory and praise.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Being in the “Know”

Therefore I will teach them—this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the Lord.~Jeremiah 16:21

“Then they will know that my name is Lord”. A thought has come to me several times over that last few weeks...”being in the know.”

God tells us that we will know that He is Lord. Paul prays in Ephesians 3:19 that we will know that His love surpasses all knowledge. Jesus wants us to know the truth so that we will be free ( John 8:32).

When you know who God is it fuels peace because You know that you can trust in Him. When you that God made you uniquely with purpose and intention your struggles with thoughts of worthlessness fade( Psalm 139:14). When You know that you were saved by His grace and not your works( Ephesians 2:8) you can put down the burden of perfectionism; ceasing striving with God and again, just trust Him.

When you know just how much He loves; how much He sacrificed just so that You will know Him your life changes (John 3:16) You become a willing bondservant of Christ. You know that your life is not your own and you begin to live it with an eternal mindset (Colossians 3:2-4). We put on the new man who is renewed in the knowledge of according to the image of Him who created him ( Colossians 3:10)

We know who we are and whose we are and therefore are actions reflect that truth.

But we have to know these things. We have to rebuke the lies of the enemy and any false choices that would take us away from God. We must cast down those things that seek to deny the knowledge of God ( Corinthians 10:5). When we know the truth of who God is; His grace mercy, love, and power we  an walk in victory.  Disease, sadness, anxieties, and troubles lose their power over us because we know who is Lord. 

These things are easier said than done, but we are not doing in in our strength. Because of Jesus we have a Helper. We have the very Spirit of God living in us. The very Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11)bringing us hope eternal. He has given us His Word and Spirit to teach us all things that pertains to godliness so that we will stay in the “know” ( John 14:6 ; 2 Peter 1:3).

To God be the glory for all the marvelous things that He has done. Lord, we thank You for teaching us. For bringing us to a point where we can know You. May we spend time in your Word deepening our understanding of You; understanding what it means to love and be loved by You. And may our efforts be manifested in actions that demonstrate your power and love to others so that too may know You. In Jesus name. Amen

Am I Convinced?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.~Romans 8:38-39

You are a good, good Father. Help me fall into Your love more often than I do. Help me stop trying so hard to impress You.~Sandy Pati

“Help me to stop trying so hard to impress You.”  These words included in a prayer by Sandy Pati really touched a spot in my heart today.  Actually ,  her entire devotion “God Really Likes, No Realky”,  spoke to me.  And the very fact that God placed my eyes on the words He penned through her is evidence of His love for me and many others.

God tells us in Romans 8:38-39 that nothing will separate us from the love of God.  This is a truth that I don’t think I have really allowed to settle in my soul.   I must admit that I lack confidence in knowing that no matter what that God is with me, loving me.  

Yes, I know that God is good. And Yes, I know that He is loving, but I tend to see or perceive this love through a lens of human understanding and intellect.   I realize that I operate from a stance of thinking I have to do something to earn, deserve, and keep His love.    

I keep trying to impress Him.  This is such a dangerous mindset because the enemy uses it to try to heap burdens of guilt and a sense of failure upon my shoulders.  When I think like this I don’t rest in His grace, but my strength that always fails and comes short.   It is this thinking that seeks to pull me away from the One who loves me.  The One who gave His life for me.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.~Romans 5:8

He died so that I would not have to twist myself in knots trying to earn or deserve something that in my own abilities is impossible.  His love is a gift.  He is the gave His love freely at Calvary and He has declared that nothing could separate me from that love, His love.  

Every morning weapons are formed to crush my spirit.  The arrows of  depression and disease want me to doubt His love for me.  I am so grateful that God does not allow those weapons to prosper.  I am grateful for His patience abs willingness to tell me over abs over again just how much He loves me until I have full confidence in the truth of His love for me.  Until I fully acknowledge the power of His love.

Father I thank You for pointing my head and heart in the right direction.  Lord, help me not to spin my wheels trying to impress You, but rather just live for You by your grace abs because of your love.   In every situation, thought or emotion may I recount your love and remember that nothing can tear me away from it.  In Jesus name. Amen

He wants our hearts

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them.~Isaiah 1:13-14

God doesn’t want our sacrifice, He wants our hearts.  In the first chapter of Isaiah we see God speaking to the rebellious nation of Israel ( Judah and Jerusalem); to His children. ( Isaiah 1:2).  He tells the earth how He has raised them, yet they have turned their backs on them.  He details the corruption that is in the land.   

He goes on to describe their stubbornness.  They have been punished, beaten.  The graphic language used to describe their wounds is caustic ( Isaiah 1:5-6).  Desolation is all around ( Isaiah 1:7-8).  Yet, they do not come to God with a repentant heart, but rather with traditions and rituals as if the firm of godliness can “buy off” God or cause Him to relent in His righteous judgement. God’s response to their sacrifices is one of rejection.  He describes their sacrifices as burdensome. ( Isaiah 1:13-14).  

It can be so easy to look at the nation of Israel or others and wag our fingers and shake our head at their fallen state, but this lesson from God is for me too.  It is important that I examine myself and think about my worship of God.   Am I coming to Him thinking I can use praise to cover my unwillingness to forgive another or my attempts to justify my attitudes towards people who think differently from me?

Do I think that paying my tithes is enough to hold my fist tight when I see a stranger in need?  Am I taking the awesomeness of His grace that allows me to enter His presence and fellowship with Him for granted?  Am I letting myself be covered with dross of religion?  Is my heart being hardened by the fat of comfort and complacency?

We know that God delights in our obedience(1 Samuel 15:22 ). He loves us and wants to fellowship with us, but He desires that we come to Him with a clean heart. He desires that we delight ourselves in Him and to commit ourselves to His ways ( Psalm 37:4-5).  

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.~Isaiah 1:16-17

Here’s the thing about God that I love.  He doesn’t just call out our sins and leave us hanging without hope. He corrects us because He loves us.  His love for us shows us how to get back on the right path.  His love points us back to the Cross where His Son shed His blood for us; the blood that cleanses is from all sin ( 1John 1:7). 

God doesn’t want us to stay in a state of rebellion or to miss out on what real fellowship with Him means.   He wants so much more than religion, He wants my heart.

Father, I thank You for your truth.  I thank You for sounding the alarm to complacency.   May I seek You with my whole heart.  May I commit myself to your ways and obey your word.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Relying on His strength

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.~2 Corinthians 1:9

I really love this verse.  I have read it many times before, but today God granted my heart the ability to receive His Word.  God answers prayers.  He orchestrated everything so that I would be able to receive the very thing that I asked for.  God is good, He supplies my needs. I asked God for a word to cling to today.  I wanted a word from Him that would guide my day and keep my eyes fixed on Him and He supplied.

In this passage Paul is being real about the struggles and hardships he and those who traveled with him on his missionary journey through tour the province of Asia.  

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters,about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 2 Corinthians 1:8

He experienced things that were overwhelming.  Pressures that made him despair life.  Paul was a man of great faith, yet he too struggled and got down sometimes.  He was human, a man who knew who he was in Christ but nevertheless experienced trials and tribulations that were beyond his ability to bear. 

Yes, there are things in life that are just too much for us to bear, BUT they are never too much for God.  

Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.~2 Corinthians 1:9 ( Emphasis added)

Life can be so much for me at times.  I grow weak from the battles.  There are times when I just want to throw my hands up.  Maybe I should. Maybe I should throw my hands up and release it to God in praise and gratitude that I don’t have to rely on my strength but rather the very God who raises the dead.  

I can trust that God can raise those things that are dead in me, like dreams He has placed in my heart and hope.  My Father wants me to get to the end of myself so that I can experience what it means to rest in Him.  Resting in Him means I let go of trying to be the best person I can be for Him and instead rust that He will perfect that which concerns me.  Resting in Him and relying on His strength says that I can rejoice in all situations and circumstances and exhibit gentleness and forbearance.  

I am not going to “smile” everyday because life can be hard.  It’s okay to acknowledge my sorrows and pains, but I can be grateful that I can cast cares upon the Lord.  My soul always has a reason to praise as I rely on God’s strength and not my own.

So what does relying on His strength look like?  For me it’s not condemning myself for waking up late and thus cutting in on my quiet time, but rather trusting in God-knowing that my relationship is not based on checking the boxes.  It’s going to work when you would rather stay in bed and hide.  It’s answering the phone call of a friend and trusting God to give you the words that they need to hear because you are plum tired and know you have nothing to give.  It’s praying throughout the day for God to help keep your focus on what matters when your mind wants to take in other directions.  It’s forgiving those that hurt you and despise you when you would rather just let out a string of expletives.  It’s moment by moment walking with God line a toddler sometimes who needs their Father to hold their have tight and keep them from falling.  It’s grace.

Father, thank You for your Word.  Thank You for your strength.  May we trust You and rely on You alone.  Less of me and more of You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Really?

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ~Romans 13:1

Full disclosure- in the present day climate of this country and world, my flesh or my own intellectual thinking pauses at this passage of scripture.  I, and my feelings about the subject and content of discourse and disunity all around me says, “Really?”  Am I really supposed to follow or except the current leadership that I am under?  

Well, the answer is yes! Yes, because I either believe God and His word or I don’t.  I can’t just take the parts of the Bible that make me feel all warm and cozy and then neglect those that make me feel uncomfortable.  I believe God and that means I believe everything that He says.  

Therefore, I lean not to my own understanding and I trust in His.  I trust that the purpose for our leaders is ordained by God.  I trust that no matter who sits in authority that God will work it out for our good.  I have to let go and trust God with the outcome.  I have to pray for ALL of my leaders.  I have to pray that we as a nation and humanity humble ourselves before God.  I pray that we will have leaders and persons in authority that know God and honor Him.  I pray that our leaders reflect our hearts and that our hearts reflects God’s.

Today is Election Day.  God has allowed us to have a voice in the process.  May we not use it to hurt others or divide.  I pray that we look to God and trust Him and that we seek peace and reconciliation.  I pray that we stop being so tribal and be a nation of one under God.  I pray that the bitterness that has been creeping in be removed at its root. I pray that we acknowledge the pain of others and not harm our neighbors, but love.

Father, You are Sovereign and You are the authority in our lives.  May we honor You and obey your word.  In Jesus name. Amen

A place of expectation

For you, God, tested us;you refined us like silver. 11 You brought us into prisons and laid burdens on our backs.12 You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water,but you brought us to a place of abundance.~Psalm 66:10-12

“But you brought us to a place of abundance.”   These words, His Word, places like expectation in my heart.  An expectation that my suffering is not in vain. That at the end of it all I will be brought to a place of abundance.  A place of abundant faith, abundant joy, abundant peace, and abundant love.  I will be brought to a place of greater maturity in Christ , a place of abundance in understanding that I am crucified with Christ and that it isn’t me who is living by Christ in me, my hope of glory. I will be brought into a place of abundance because I will finally truly understand what it means to live this life by His grace. ( Galatians 3:20).

I want to be in that place of abundance, but i must first go through the process of refining.  I have to be sifted, so that the chaff of sin is removed.  My God is holy and He wants me to be holy.  There is a testing, but He has given me His Word so that I am able to give an apt reply.  He has given me His Armor to stand my ground when the enemy attacks.  The prisons and burdens of disease will be broken by my praise.  Praise to my Father who takes me to a spacious place; who wants me to have an abundant life.  

Father, this season of my life is hard, but I thank You.  Thank You for being with me every step of the way.  Thank You for the expectation of a place of abundance.  Father, open my eyes to see beyond myself and my immediate circumstances.  Lord, multiply my broken pieces to feed the multitudes.  Father, be lifted high and glorified.  Draw the world to You.  Let the nations rejoice at the sound of your name.  Jesus, I know that this is so m ch bigger than me.  Help me to endure.  Remove the doubt and fear.  Let me walk by your grace and faith in You.  In my flesh I can’t.  Crucify me Lord so that only You live in me.  In Jesus name. Ame

What my soul hears....

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand

Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.~Psalm 138:7-8

The Lord will perfect that which concerns me.  What does my soul hear when I read these words and say these words?  My soul hears rest and confidence in God, my Father.  It hears that yes, life is really tough for you right now, but you can trust in His grace.  It hears that you can trust that all of the plans the He has ordained just for me will come to pass and that this period of suffering just may be a part of that process of perfection.  

It hears “don’t worry or be dismayed”.  He knows that you so desperately want to get it right, to stand firm, and not shrink back.  He sees all of the battles that take place in your mind, the constant straightening of thoughts as you seek to tighten the belt of truth so that you can keep pressing forward.  He sees the weariness of your soul and He is whispering to you, “I’ve got you sweet girl.  I made you and I am not going to forsake you. You are a part of my creative work and I love you. I promise you, My grace is sufficient.  You don’t see what I see, but know that it is good.”

I am walking through the midst of trouble.  I have been in this place before.  Honestly, did not think I would be back here, but the frailty of my humanity keeps me humble.  Battles with the mind and body can be so weary and I want to just fall back.  I want to just stop because everything feels like it takes so much effort and energy.  Energy that I don’t have, but my God has an endless supply of strength.   

And it is in this these moments of distress that I must hear the truth and speak the truth.  My God will perfect everything that concerns me.  The devil, my enemy, is hitting me hard.  He has devised a full on attack, but his weapons will not prosper against me ( Isaiah 54:17) 

My Father, because of His mercy and love, stretches forth His righteous hand against him.  His right hand saves me.  My Father holds me securely in His hand (John 10:29).

Father, thank You so, so much for your grace.  Thank You for your tender mercies. Thank You for the evidence of answered prayers in time past.  It is You who builds my confidence.  You Lord are my strength.  Thank You for your peace and kindness.  Thank You for this time right here.  Thank You for drawing me unto You and keeping close.  Thank You for being my shelter in the midst of this storm.  God, You are so good and I love You.  Father, please bless my brothers and sisters who might be in a similar place.  May we feel your hope.  Put a new song in our mouths.  Help us to endure until our morning comes.  The way of escape is always You, so keep our hearts in tune with Yours.  Forgive us for waywardness and for those times that we sin and fall short.  We rely on your grace Lord.  Perfect that which concerns us for your namesake.  In Jesus name. Amen

Make room for joy

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.~Psalm 30:5

It is so easy to get lost in the weight and cares of this world.   We go to the Father and we cast burden upon burden upon Him and I am grateful that He allows us to do so.  However, this morning I think it is important that in the midst of all our wailing that we also make room for praise.  

I know from first hand experience that even trying to smile comes at such a heavy cost, but even with all that can bombard the heart and soul truth of His love remains.  He loves us and that is a reason to rejoice.  Yes, there is sadness and hard stuff in this life, but we do not have to go through it alone.  We have our Savior right there with us.  Our God goes before us, stands with us, and is all around us covering us with His love.  And His love is everlasting.  His favor last a lifetime.

If you are in the night, hold on!  Morning is coming.  I would encourage you to begin rejoicing now in the anticipation of all that God has in store just for you.  This season is only for a moment and may feel like forever, been there.  But you are loved.  His love for You is steadfast and it is true. 

I love the song by Jonathan McReynolds, “Not lucky, I’m Loved”. It reminds me of the divine providence of God in my life.  Yes, Jesus loves me and no matter what is happening. No matter what I have done or not done, I cling to the truth that I am loved.  It blesses me and I hope it blesses you.  For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.~Psalm 30:5

It is so easy to get lost in the weight and cares of this world.   We go to the Father and we cast burden upon burden upon Him and I am grateful that He allows us to do so.  However, this morning I think it is important that in the midst of all our wailing that we also make room for praise.  

I know from first hand experience that even trying to smile comes at such a heavy cost, but even with all that can bombard the heart and soul truth of His love remains.  He loves us and that is a reason to rejoice.  Yes, there is sadness and hard stuff in this life, but we do not have to go through it alone.  We have our Savior right there with us.  Our God goes before us, stands with us, and is all around us covering us with His love.  And His love is everlasting.  His favor last a lifetime.

If you are in the night, hold on!  Morning is coming.  I would encourage you to begin rejoicing now in the anticipation of all that God has in store just for you.  This season is only for a moment and may feel like forever, been there.  But you are loved.  His love for You is steadfast and it is true. 

I love the song by Jonathan McReynolds, “Not lucky,I’m  Loved”. It reminds me of the divine providence of God in my life.  Yes, Jesus loves me and no matter what is happening. No matter what I have done or not done, I cling to the truth that I am loved.  It blesses me and I hope it blesses you. Not Lucky, I’m Loved

Why is my soul downcast?

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. ~Psalm 43:5

Why is my soul so downcast within me?  Why am I having so much trouble sustaining confidence on my  job? Why am I weeping and feeling so utterly inept and lost?  Why am I questioning my position and abilities?  Why, when I know Who God is and how very good He is?  Why am I showing my co-workers the opposite of what I profess, faith in God?

Why? Because I need to come to the end of myself.  Pride needs to be exposed and dealt with.  Pride in my natural abilities and in the in the gifts that  God has endowed me with needed to be examined and removed.  Strongholds of negative thoughts and insecurities that have been covered up need to be destroyed. Idols of acceptance need to be toppled.

Yesterday, I was wrestling with a disturbed soul and runaway emotions. In the midst of the day and and my conversations with others two statements stood out.  They first one “ You are short-changing yourself” and the second . “You are asking for others to give you something that can only come from you.”  These statements hit me hard because I realized that I was not only short-changing myself I was short-changing God.

I am God’s child.  He is my Father and equips me with everything that I need.  I am disturbed because I have been looking outward, to others, for those things that He has already given me.  

I do not have to be anxious about my job and the work it requires because I only to need to present my request before the Lord with thanksgiving and leave it there ( Philippians 4:6-7).  I can guard my thoughts by keeping on the helmet of salvation, remembering who I am in Christ. My identity, my existence, is through Him and because of Him.  I have to meditate on His word and speak the truth to myself.  I must put my hope in Him because He is my joy and praise.

I would be remiss, if I did not share this additional “tidbit” that the Spirit layer on my heart this morning.   My confidence on my job has been shaken because i have begun to try to compartmentalize my life.  God is Lord over every part of my life.  Everything that is natural and spiritual.  I have been looking so upward that I have not been alert to the arrows and the plots of the enemy in the every day things of life.  Yes, I am focused on living righteously, but I was so comfortable with having it together that I began to trust myself rather than Him.  I began to look outward and thus my peace was disturbed.

Things are exposed to the light now and that’s a good thing.  Can’t fight a battle that you don’t see.  So I am grateful for the exposure and the hope that is Him. I am grateful for His love and strength that picks me up and helps me to stand.  Soul, do not be disturbed place your hope in God and let His peace come in.

Father, I thank You for your Word, truth, and love.  Cover me.  May the strongholds be destroyed so that nothing separates or divides me from You.  I cast down pride and ask for your forgiveness.  May I boast in You alone.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

When sin is crouching at your door

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.~ 2 Corinthians 10:5

I watched a young woman explain why she wasn’t evacuating in light of the approaching storm.  For her it was an adrenaline rush, the chance to see waves in the ocean like never before.  I wanted to jump through the tv and tell her to go.  I wanted to tell her that adrenaline rush was not worth it, but I had to deal with my own thinking about the storm before I could cast a stone.

I could not judge her or chalk it up to her youth because I too had been wanting to see the storm.  I wanted to see the storm, but I wanted no parts of the consequences for myself or others.  That’s like saying I want to eat donuts without absorbing a single ounce of fat and calories.  I want the time with my family without distractions and to see how communities are working together rather than the tribalism.  I do not want the valuables of others tangible and intangible to be washed away or damage by the surging waters.  I do not want the discomfort of those who have to be in a shelter or a strange place waiting it out.  Nor do I want our first responders and others to be in harms way.  Yet, at the end of the day, that just me trying to justify my thinking rather than surrendering it to God.

My thinking was quite faulty and it this false argument had to demolished. I had to surrender my will and my thinking to Him and align it with His.  

This “battle”  got me thinking about sin and temptation.  The enemy dangles shiny object in front of us.  He disguises it to look like something we want.  We begin to rationalize it as we ponder it, thinking that it won’t be so bad.  We think that we can take just a bite and not have to deal with the consequences that are hidden in the desire.  The enemy did this with Eve in the garden and he is still deploying this old trick.

I almost fell for it, but God. His Word  tells me not to lean to my own understanding.  His Spirit sounds the alarm bells to warn me that sin is crouching at my door.  It’s quite uncomfortable to share this and I am embarrassed, but it is important to deal with sin in all of its different shapes and sizes. I ask for forgiveness.  I pray that  my struggle with backwards thinking helps someone else. I pray that the  young lady evacuated and chose the better thing over the rush of adrenaline.  And I am grateful that God continues to humble me and direct me to choose what is real and true.

Father, forgive me for my selfish thinking.  May the thoughts and wellbeing of others be before myself.  Bless all who are in the midst of the storm.  May I remain alert and sober to schemes of the enemy and guard my heart and mind.  In Jesus name. Amen