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