Secure

 

Psalms 139:5 New International Version (NIV)

You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.

Praise be to God, i am a kept woman.  I am kept by God.  There is peace in knowing that He surrounds me.  His hand is upon me.  He is directing my steps and keeping my way secure as I trust  and obey.

When I think about being hemmed in, I picture being tucked in bed like a burrito all snug and secure.  God makes me feels this way as I know that He goes before me, showing me the way.  He is behind me protecting my blind side.  He is beside me, walking with me so that I am never alone.  

The scripture also says that He lays His hand upon me.  I think of a loving parent  placing their hand on my should giving me assurance that everything is going to be okay.  So i know that when trials and test come I will make it to the other side because His favor is upon me,.  What a blessed assurance.  God is good like that.  He is absolutely amazing!

Lord, thank You for keeping me and my family.  Thank You for surrounding me with your love.  Thank You for allowing your favor to rest upon me,  I thank You for your touch. You are a good God, the only One and I praise You. In Jesus name. Amen

He is.......

Psalms 100:5 NIV

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.  

I want to take a moment to thank a praise a faithful and loving God.  When my future is unknown, I know a certain God and He comes through every time.  The last few weeks have been moving at a grueling pace and I have been running on fumes.  I have been over the place, But GOD! He made sure I landed at just the right place at  just the right time.

EVERYTIME, I go to Him He shows up.  He is faithful and He gives me just what I need.  My mind goes to the manna that God provided for the Hebrew people in the desert (Exodus 16:4-5).  They did nothing to earn it, but God provided nourishment for them.  It likes when I am on E, He fills my  tank with the energy and stamina needed to carry on.

He gives me His word.  Like reminding me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).  He gives me  wisdom, like guarding my tongue and redirecting my thoughts to those that honor and praise Him.  He gives me love, when I am feeling down and fills my heart with gratitude.

He watches over my family and shows me how we He will work all things  for my good(Romans8:28) out as I surrender control to Him.

God is amazing! He is splendid.  Awesome in power! Loving, faithful and true.  Transparently, I knew I had a challenging week ahead of me.  I went to God and asked Him to see me through.  And what did He do?  That's right, He gave me more than I could ever ask for.  He is God like that.  Try Him out!  He will not fail you.

Lord, I thank You for You.  Thank You for your Son, the reason I have a new life,  I thank You for not changing on me, but being a consistent and constant God.  A safe place, a refuge, the Source of life and joy.  Thank You God for being all that we could ever need.  Forgive us , when we lose sight of the truth and guide us back to You. In Jesus name. Amen

When the world gets noisy

Isaiah 26:3-4 ESV

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

The world can be loud.  Distractions from "to-do" list and obligations swirl around.  It can rock you and seek to rob you of your peace. Transparently, I was feeling this way this morning and I cried out to God to center me.  I asked Him to show me how. Immediately His word rose up in my spirit.

When I am centered in Christ, peace is restored.  All the things I have to do are still there, but I place them in their proper perspective.  I seek God first(Mathew 6:33).  I seek His will for my life(Romans 12:1-2).  I seek HIs wisdom and guidance(James 1:5).  I lean on Him and trust in Him knowing that He will guide my steps (Proverbs 3:5-6).

The world gets quiet. His word flows to my mind and nourishes my spirit. My heart rate is lowered.  My breathing is regulated as I go to the God(the only One) who ushers in His amazing love and grace.  I focus on what matters and trust that God will help me do the rest.  I center myself in Him and now with my full armor(Ephesians 6:10-18) on, I am ready to conquer the day.

Lord, I thank You for Your Spirit.  I thank You Your word.  Thank You for holding me up when the world gets to much.  Thanks for quieting the noise as You center me in You. Thank you for your peace. Thank you for your love.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

Call to Him

 Psalm 120:1~ In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me.

The dictionary defines distress as extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain. As a person who suffers from anxiety, I can attest to the mental and emotional weariness it causes.  I also know how it feel sorrow and pain and how debilitating it can be.  Distress can feel like the walls are closing.  You can feel trapped in a cycle that never ends, but there is hope.  There is Jesus.

His word testifies to the fact that when we are distressed we can call to the Lord.  Not only can we call to Him, but we can rest in the fact that He will answer.  He will not leave us in a state of panic.  He is our solution as He ushered in peace.  God is good and He loves His children.

Life for me right now is hectic, there is always something to do.  If feels overwhelming, but I choose to trust in God.  The only wise God who sees me, hears me, and answers me.  I choose to remember that I am not alone and my Father will never leave or forsake me.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Precious Father, thank You for being such a gracious God.  Thank You for being available.  Thank You for being near.  Thank You for hearing my call and answering me.  Thank You for coming through for me time and time again.  You are magnificent and all together Holy.  In Jesus name. Amen

Joy in the Journey

 

James 1:2 NIV

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds

This week was a trying week.  I faced many challenges, test, and trials.  I'll admit that it did not feel joyous, but as someone said I looked for glimpses of Jesus throughout my day.  At the end of the day I thank God for getting me through the day and I thanked Him for the small victories He handed me along the way.  I thanked Him for the rest He wove in between my weariness.  I thanked Him for the opportunities to poor into someone else and be filled in the process.

I was not a perfect week.  I dealt with frustration, but I trusted in God.  That's the joy.  Having my faith muscles flexed as I depend and rely completely on Him to see me through.  The joy I feel today even though I still have test before me is invigorating.  The trial is not joyous, but knowing Jesus is with you every step of the way is joyous.  The enemy thought He had me, but God said no.  Hallelujah.

I do not know what you are going through or how long, but I do know that God is faithful.  Call out to Him and know that He hears you and that He will answer.  You can trust Him.  He did it for me, He will do it for you.  In fact, yesterday I looked at a bird feeding himself on whatever he found in my yard and my mind went the word. Matthew 6:26 -Look at the birds in of the air; the do no sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? I said to myself God takes care of them, He will take care of me.

Lord, thank You.  Thank you for the strength and faith to endure the test.  Help me to remember that trials have a purpose and that i will come out on the other side if I keep my hand in Yours and trust You.  Thank You for all the ways You show up.  In Jesus name. Amen

What’s Next

 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.~2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Last Friday we commemorated Good Friday.  The day when our Lord and Savior took our sins upon Himself and paid the penalty of death.  On Sunday we celebrated the truth of the gospel.  Jesus got up!  Conquering sin and death for us.  So what’s next?

I would “argue” that what’s next is living a life for Christ.  As His word says, Christ’s love for us compels us to do so. We no longer live for self, but rather for our Savior. How do we do that ? 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.~Romans 12:1-2

We live as living sacrifice, not conforming to the ways of this world but rather renewing our minds. We our minds on Christ.  We ask Him for wisdom (James 1:5) and we lean into the fact that “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”(2 Peter 1:3).

We love God hard and we love our neighbor( Mathew 22:37-40).  It has to be more than just a routine ceremony that we go through year after year.  His life, death, and resurrection showed His love and now it’s time to show ours.  The beauty of it is that He gives us everything we need to take the next step so we are not striving but rather striding in His love.

Lord, thank You for your compelling love for me and my neighbor.  Thank You for dying for me and I ask that You show me how to live for You.  How to walk in relationship with my risen Savior.  In Jesus name. Amen

Good Friday

Isaiah 53:4-5, “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” (ESV).

Christ died for me.  He loved me enough to hang on a cross.  To be mocked and receive derision. He did it it for me and He did it for you.  

Because of His sacrifice we have life.  We have hope.  We have peace. We are healed.  

Today is recognized as Good Friday.  The day that our Lord and Savior humbled himself unto death.  The day that He became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God(2 Corinthians 5:21). In Him we have the free gift of eternal life because He paid it all.

Jesus made a way for us to connect to the Father.  He is the mediator of our faith(1 Timothy 2:5-6) Jesus is my all.  There are not enough ways to thank Him.  I want to honor Him with my life.  I do not ever forget the core of the gospel.  He died, but then He arose.  Hallelujah!

Lord today is a sacred day, but every day should be because You died for my sins that I might be whole again.  You died that I might be healed by your wounds and shed blood.  You died to give me life and then You got up with all power in Your hands.  Thank You Jesus.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen

Be Ready

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,~1 Peter 3:15

I got a call out of the blue from a former student and now colleague.  She was in a world of pain.  I didn’t know why she chose me to call, but I had to be ready.  I had to let the Spirit lead me in the conversation.  I had to stop what was I doing and ask for guidance.  I had to be ready.

God gave me Psalm 34:18 where it speaks to the fact that He is near to the brokenhearted.  I am thankful for a God who sees our afflictions and who cares.  I prayed with the young lady and ended the call.  Before she hung up she sang a song about welcoming the Holy Spirit.  She is going through but she knows God.  She too was ready to give an answer for her hope.  God is good.

Father, You are the reason for my hope.  Your blood covers me and it covers all of your children.  Thank You for being a loving Father and such a great God. The only one.  In Jesus name. Amen

This Day

 

Psalm 118:24 ESV

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I love Friday's.  Friday's signify the end of the work week and tell me that I have made it.  God has seen me through.  But as I reflect on my carefree attitude I realize that this feeling of joy should be felt everyday.  My Monday's should be just as joyous because God has given me another day.  He has allowed me open my eyes to His brand new mercies.  He gives me strength on Monday  just like He does every other day of the week.  There is always a reason to celebrate.

Now, I go a little deeper.  I a human and Friday's do cause me to have an little extra pep in my step.  But I wonder if I looked at each day with an eternal perspective.  The end is almost here.  God is coming back. These days of toil and tears will one day soon come to an end. He will wipe every tear from my eye and all of our eyes.  If I celebrate the grace that God has granted me each day every day will feel like Friday.  I can smile wide and release the burden that I place on myself to carry the day because I know that God is the one doing the heavy lifting.  So the hope I have of rest is coming as I rest in Him.

Lord, You are a magnificent Father.  I thank You for Friday's and all the days in between.  I thank You for keeping me and for all the many blessings that You give me daily.  You have made this day and it is beautiful.  You are beautiful.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Search me God

 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.~Psalm 139:23-24

I need a tune up.  I need God to examine me and search my thoughts and heart.  I want Him to remove anything and everything that is unpleasing to Him. I want my walk, talk, and thought to align with His word and His will.

Examination means exposure.  Bringing things out of the darkness into the light, but I don’t have to fear this because walking in the light draws me closer to God.  I can experience the grace of His love as I acknowledge my sin.  I can acknowledge any self reliance or idols that I have let creep in. I can ask for forgiveness and be led by God into an everlasting way.

I want to live with an eternal mindset.  This means that I want to live for Christ.  I want to walk in faith and have my steps ordered by Him. I don’t want any bitterness to rule me.  I don’t want offenses to block my path.  So I invite God to show me my heart and my my thinking so that I can live an abundant life.

Lord, I know that perfect love casts out fear.  So I humbly request that You search me and reveal the ways in which I may be coming up short.  Help me to repent and move forward with an eternal mindset. In Jesus name.  Amen

Our portion

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.~Psalm 73:25-26

When I read this verse the first question that comes to my mind is who or what am I putting before God?  Is He my only desire?  Do my actions line up with the thought process that sole purpose is to seek God and His will?  

I then think about the grace of God because no matter what He is with me.  When I have no one else.  No one who might understand what is going on within the chambers of my heart, I have God.  He is my constant.

When I fall flat on my face, He is the one who lifts me.  When I can’t take another step, He is the one that carries me.  He is my strength and my portion. He is my hope. 

Father, I am amazed at your love for me.  Thank You for being my strength and my portion.  Help me to seek You first and to put nothing before You.  Touch my heart Lord.  In Jesus name. Amen

Yet

 

Lamentations 3:21-22 NIV

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

"Yet", insert "but God".  When  all seems lost or when heartache is upon if we pause and think of the goodness of God we have hope.  If it had not been for God where would I be?  Yet, when I think of His love for me.  Yet, when I think of how he saw me through a rough patch. Yet, when I saw His light in the darkness of depression. Yet, when I think of how His Son bled and died for me because He loves me, I have hope.

So whatever I am facing will not consume me.  It will not defeat me.  It will not cause me to turn back because His compassion, His heart for me never fails.  God is kind in His mercy towards me.  His heart is open to me.  He sees my suffering and he cares. All is not lost because God is good and His love is great.

We can hold on to this truth and let it be a balm to our soul.  We shift our focus from all that's going wrong to everything that is right with Christ.  Our strength and hope can be renewed in the valley.  He can nourish our soul.  He is God and He is good so think on His goodness. Reflect and praise and be filled with hope because His compassion fails not.

Lord, I thank You for the "yet".  I thank You for all the times You have seen me through, over and under.  I thank You for the valley experiences that draw me closer to You.  I thank You for your mercy and Your grace.  In Jesus name. Amen

Peace

John 14:27 NIV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

When researching the term peace, I came across these words: completeness, soundness and well-being.  Being in right standing with God.  Being in right relationship.  It is the absence of harm.  This type of peace the world cannot give.  It only comes from God. 

His peace surpasses all understanding for when all around you seems to be misaligned your alignment with God allows you to breathe.  You hear His voice telling you that everything is going to be okay.  His peace is the hope that you will rise above your circumstance as you keep your eyes on the One who is in control.

His peace will allow you to smile even when there is great suffering and stress.  For you usher in His peace as you lay your burdens down at His feet. The Lord tells us not to let our hearts  be troubled nor are we to be afraid.  Why?  Because He is with us and He is our peace.  He is our covering. So let us place our eyes on Jesus and breathe in the rhythm of His heartbeat.  Let us rest in Him.

Lord, thank You for the promise of Your peace.  Thank You for You.  Help us to breathe in Your Spirit when troubles swirl around us and remember that You are Sovereign.  Grant us hope.  Let us not look to the temporary solutions that this world offers for it only offers an illusion of peace.  Let us trust and believe in You.  In Jesus name. Amen

Increasing Measure

 

2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reading this passage of scripture something stood out to me.  The words “increasing measure” grabbed at my heart.  As I walk in faith, I am to add some ingredients and not just once, but in increasing measure.  For me this means that I can not become stagnant or complacent.  

I need to be constantly and consistently adding to my faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection and love.  If I want to grow in His image I must have faith in Him and do good things.  I must study His Word and not be reactive, but proactive.

I must persevere through trials knowing He has my back.  I must walk humbly with Him reflecting His character.  I must love my fellow man.  I don’t do any of this on my own, but through God who gives me strength.  I must do a little more each day.  I want to decrease so that He might increase.

Lord, I thank You for shining a light on Your Word.  Help me to be intentional in my walk with You for You have given me everything I need.  Forgive me for those times when I am idle in the faith.  In Jesus name. Amen

Bearing with one another

 

Ephesians 4:2 NIV

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  

Full transparency, I struggled with this command this week.  I had a lot on my plate and I felt behind the eight ball.  I took my frustrations out on others.  I was impatient and I was not bearing with my neighbor with love.  

When the Lord convicted me of this in my spirit I repented and became intentional about my actions and my mindset.  I sought grace and sought to extend grace to others. The Lord helped me turn my trajectory and week around.  I became patient and let the sandpaper people rub me into a more precious jewel.

I became a gentler woman of God. The woman God intends for me to be and I was happier for it.  Walking in humility with God always bring joy and peace. I fell down, but God picked me back up.

Lord, thank You for the conviction of Your Word and Your Spirit that guides me back to truth.  Thank You for you mercy and grace.  Help me to be kind and humble, showing compassion to my fellow man even when its not returned.  You did it for me.  In Jesus name.  Amen