He has a plan

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.~Jeremiah 29:11

Being a mom, I want the best for my children.  I want them to know God personally and to succeed in life.  When they were younger I could, as much as I was allowed, protect them.  I could look ahead and point out dangers they could not yet see.

Now, they are older and having to be independent.  They have to navigate the world.  My youngest is just now beginning to embark on this journey and I get scared sometimes.  He is on the Spectrum and struggles in some areas.  When I start to panic and worry about all the unknowns, Jesus steps in.  He provides me comfort and reminds me that His plans for my both of my sons is good.  Just as He has a plan for my life, He has a plan for my son.  He is not alone. I am not alone.

My “baby” boy is going to be okay.  God is behind the scenes orchestrating everything(Romans 8:28). Just as God protects my eldest, He will protect my youngest.  He will guide His steps and perfect that which concerns him(Psalm 138:8)I do not have to fret because God cares.  He is Father, Savior and King.  

Lord, thank You for being my comfort.  Thank You for the love that you lavish on Your children.  The enemy would have me spiral, but You Lord bring me peace.  You give me wisdom and tell me what steps to take.  You tell me when to back off and surrender control.  You are God.  You are merciful.  You are good. My family is in good hands, we are in good hands.  In Jesus name. Amen

Praise Break

 

That's My King

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds. ~Psalm 75:1

Weekly, I search for scriptures that will encourage others as well as myself.  Scriptures that reminds us of the faithfulness and goodness of God.  Scriptures that encourage us to endure during hard seasons of life and to have hope.  I share the truth of His Word because it is the bread of life.  It is good to be encouraged, but today I want to praise.

I want to praise God for all that He is.  As CeCe Winans sings in her song linked above ...He is "wonderful and beautiful and glorious and holy. He is merciful and powerful."  

God is kind and compassionate.  He is a good Father.  The only wise Savior and He has done good things. He keeps me and holds me close.  He is a provider and a strong tower.  He protects me from the evil one. He safeguards my family and I am grateful.  There are not enough words to express my gratitude, but I thank You Lord and I praise Your Holy Name.

Each and every day their is cause to celebrate God.  When we open our eyes, that's a praise.  When we think of His Son and our Savior Jesus, that reason to praise.  To know that He is near is reason to praise.

Father, we bless your Holy Name.  Thank You for being God.  Thank You for saving us from ourselves.  Thank You for waling with us on our journey. Thank You for encouraging us and giving us the words we need to take the next step.  Thank You for being our strength.  Thank You for being our King.  Forgive us for those times when we withhold praise from You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Lessons of the storm-He speaks

 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. ~Mark 4:39

In Mark 4;35-41 it tells us of a time when the disciples were going to the other side as Jesus suggested.  So they got in their boats leaving the crowds behind.  The passage notes that their were other boats with them, but Jesus was in their boat. (Mark 4:35-36).  

While they were going to the other side a squall arose and it caused the waves to brake over the boat  so that it was nearly swamped (Mark 4:37).  A squall is defined as a sudden gust of violent wind or localized storm.  Life is like that some times.  You are going your merry way, humming to a song on the radio and then bam a storm pops up out the blue.  The sky is suddenly dark and you are fighting to keep your car on the road as you head to your next destination.  

Where was Jesus when this storm arose?  The bible says he was asleep at in the stern of the boat. He was at the back of the boat and the disciples had to wake him.  The disciples said "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” (Mark 4:38)  Isn't that like us sometimes.  We find ourselves in the midst of a storm and looks like it's going to take us down.  We wonder if Jesus cares and we cry out to Him.

Here is a truth.  He does care and and He has the power to quiet any and every storm.  Our key verse says  that He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" and they obeyed  It was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)  Jesus only has to speak and peace is ushered in. 

In verse 40 we Jesus ask the disciples a question. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”(verse 40) This calls for some self reflection because remember, Jesus was in the boat.  Jesus is the car.  Jesus is on our jobs.  Jesus is in our homes.  If Jesus is there we need not fear.  We can trust that we will make it to other side safely.  

The bible tells us in verse 41 that the disciples were terrified and asked each other “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”  They had heard his teaching and even followed Him, but didn't know who He was

Maybe the storm arose to assure us of this fact.  To assure us of who He is.  Jesus is not just our teacher, but He is Lord.  Lord over heaven and earth.  We just have to have faith.  We are human and we falter, but He does not.  We have to trust Who we have with us and in us.  So when the storms arise we can trust that God can speak into that situation and bring us peace and safety.

Lord, thank You for the storms that drive us to know You in an intimate way.  Thank You for increasing our faith and speaking peace into our lives.  Thank You for being sovereign.  In Jesus name. Amen

Battling Anxiety

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.~ Philippians 4:6-7

Anxiety is defined as a feeling of dread, fear, and uneasiness.  It can be exacerbated by stress. I battle with anxiety and I know that I am not alone.  Anxiety can be crippling and the enemy wants nothing more than to rob of us our peace.  But thank God for Jesus because He equips us to deal with and defeat the enemy.

The first tool is His word.  The first word that jumps into my mind is "when I am afraid I will trust in You"-Psalm 56:3  I acknowledge my fear and then I acknowledge the One who is Sovereign.  The One who protects and saves.  It is He who gives me the strength to face my fear and overcome.  It is He who quiets the waters of my troubled soul.  I also remember that God told me to cast all my cares(anxiety) upon Him for He cares for me. (1 Peter 5:7) God can handle anything. I don't have to carry the burden of anxiety.  I can give it all to Him.  

He doesn't think less of me because I struggle with anxiety, He is letting me know that I am loved and that He will fight the battle for me.  This is where the second tool comes in prayer.  When I pray I surrender my fears, dread, and uneasiness to God.  I pray when I faced with both small and large tasks. I ask God to see me through.  I thank Him for what He has already brought me through and I trust in Him to see me to the other side.  Instead of letting anxiety grip me I grip God and let His peace settle over me.

I am going to be real and say that I have battle panic attacks because of anxiety. I have felt like a hostage sometimes, but God has always come to my rescue.  He has met every need and met me in every situation.  God is my rock and He hears my pleas.  He is a good God, the only God. If you battle with anxiety do not let the devil shame you into believing that you are not trusting God enough or praying enough.  That's a lie.  I believe that every time I go into battle God goes before me and He gets the glory.  I get to testify to the goodness of God and how I overcame because He has already overcome (John 16:33)

Yours Lord is the power.  You know what we stand in need of.  Usher in your peace as we gear up for battle with shield of faith and sword of the Spirit. Grant us victory and we will be careful to give You all the glory and the praise.  In Jesus name. Amen