Facing the day

 

Philippians 4:13 KJV

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

These words trace through my thoughts and out of my mouth when God taps me on the shoulder in the morning.  It’s the strength of His Word that I need to face my day.  It is my hope and the promise I cling to.

I battle with anxiety to the point that I sometimes get chest pains.  I call upon the Lord and His strength.  I breathe in deep breaths and remember that He is with me and that I can make it through the day because it is He who gives me strength through Christ Jesus.  Christ in me, the hope of glory(Colossians 1:27).

Each day He gives me victory.  He brings me through.  He speaks to my anxiety and helps me to overcome it.  He shows His handiwork and lets me feel His presence.  He is my Rock. He is my everything.

Lord, thank You for being my strength.  Thank You for being my shield and my comfort.  Thank You for your eternal love.  In Jesus name.  Amen

A Blessing

 

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

“ ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’

I love this scripture.  It brings tears to my eyes every time I read it because I think of God's love.  His grace.  I think who am I that God would make His face shine on me?  Who am I whom God would turn to and give me peace?  The answer He gives me is that I am His child.  He beloved.  His word blesses me and restores me and it allows me to bless others with it.  How awesome it is to share the grace that God has lavished on me with others.

My spirit rejoices at the thought.  God is so good and benevolent.  He shares His love with all His children, on creation alike.  He sacrificed His Son so I could experience His mercy.  It is He who gives me hope.  It is He who gives me favor when I don't deserve it. He lifts me up.  He hears my prayer.  He calms my anxiety and grants me peace.  Oh, what a good, good God He is.

The Lord has blessed me and kept me.  He sees me through the work week, the illness of a friend, the trials of parenting and the day to day challenges that life itself brings.  I pray this blessing for you too.  ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ Numbers 6:24-26

Lord, thank You for loving us.  Thank You for dying on the cross and rising again so that we can have life and have it more abundantly.  Thank You for looking on your people and blessing us every day.  You are Jehovah Jireh.  We praise You Lord and thank You for allowing us to be a blessing to others.  In Jesus name. Amen

He’s working it out

Romans 8:28 NIV

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.

What do you do when you don’t feel seen or heard? When you are frustrated on your job or position in life? What do you do when you hope and pray, but your prayers do not appear to be answered?  You trust in God.  You trust in His plan.  You recite the truth to yourself and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is working it out for your good. 

His word tells us so and He is not a man that he should lie( Numbers 23:19).  Pause and praise.  Think about the evidence of God in your life and His goodness towards you.  Breathe in your body, a mind that thinks, a heart that pumps blood.  Think of His provision , no matter how small.  Think of the resurrected life of Jesus that gives us life and sustains is all.

Go to His word and pray on it.  He is working behind the scenes.  Our minds can’t conceive it, but He is doing great things. 

1 Corinthians 2:9

9 However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him—

What stands out to me is this though..He is working it out for those who love Him, not the things but Him.  The blessing are great, but God is the blessing.  We can’t forget that.  Satan would love to see us bound in frustration , but we must walk in the freedom of God knowing that whatever the circumstances He is working it out for His purpose and our good.  He is writing our story and we have to relinquish the pen to Him. Walk in peace knowing that we are loved and cared for. Knowing that His plans for us are good Jeremiah 29:11.

Father sometimes life does look like or feel like we want it, but help us to trust You with our lives.  Help us to stand on the truth that You are working it out for our good.  Help us to love You and praise You in the midst of it all.  Help us to be at peace.  In Jesus name we do pray. Amen

He loves us

 

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

He loves us.  He loves us with an everlasting love.  He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die a horrible and painful death on the cross for you and for me.  Jesus gave himself up for the world that we who believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.  

He died for our sins. Isaiah 53:5 NIV ....But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

As I think about this Good Friday, I can't help but think about the goodness of God.  I think about His sacrifice for me, his love for me.  He was beaten, bruised, and mocked just so that I could be set free from the bondage of sin.  He did all of this before I even knew Him or what love really was.  Jesus loves me, He loves us.

The story does not end at his death because just as He laid his life down He took it back up.  He arose on the third day just as He promised.  Luke 24:6-7 says, He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”Because He lives we can live! 

There is no greater love than that of God.  So if You are ever feeling down or left out remember God's loves for You.  Remember the sacrifice of Jesus.  Remember His victory.  

Lord, this is a a sober day, but one that fills my heart with hope because of Your love for me.  Let me take no day for granted for it is a gift from You.  Let me live for You because You now live in me. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Thank you Lord for your precious gift and love.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen