Moment by Moment

 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. ~Genesis 2:7

A dear friend of mine when grieving the death of her mother told me she was taking it moment by moment, for day by day was too much to bear at the time.  Her words have stayed with me and I share it with others who are experiencing grief and hardships.  I say these words to myself when life feels too big.

I relate these words to the scripture above where it tells us that God formed man and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ( some translations use the word soul.)  I think about these words and remember that God breathed life into me and so when life gets hard or scary I breathe His breath.  I breathe God's strength and grace. 

Each breathe is but a moment and I make that best of that moment by breathing in His peace.  I breathe in His love.  I allow the Spirit of God to minister to me.  I take one moment at a time.  What I found to happen is that those moments chained together create a beautify tapestry of His amazing grace.  

I also can't help but think about the last moment that Jesus breathed(Luke 23:46) so that I might be forgiven of my sins and how He took His breathe again on the third day( 1 Corinthians 15:3-4) conquering death for me and you. That's love -that is enough air to sustain me through troubled times.

Lord, I thank You for the breath of life.  Thank You for reminding me to take thing one step at at time, one breath at a time, as I trust in You.   For You are my strength and hope Lord.  Your Spirit allows me to persevere. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

He sees us

 She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”  ~Genesis 16:13

Trials come and the world can seem like its bearing down on us.  It may make want to run away or end it all, but God is our comfort.  We are not alone.  We are not insignificant to God.  He sees us and His presence is with us.  His Spirit resides in us (1 Corinthians 3:16) and because of that we can walk in victory.  We can come out on the other side.

There are a lot of people who suffer from depression and anxiety.  In transparency, I happen to be one them.  I have been surrounded by the darkness and have felt defeated, but God has always provided a reason to keep moving.  He has always let me feel the gentle whisper of His love (1 Kings 19:4:13).  

His love is not conditioned on what I do or what I feel in the moments of the storms.  His love is pure and steadfast because He is love.  He is God.  It is character and He loves me as I am.  I am aware of people battling in the deep right now.  They are wrestling.  I encourage you to keep fighting, know that the Lord will bless you as He blessed Jacob( Genesis 32:22-32).  The enemy is already defeated.  The weapons that are formed against us will not prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)

The enemy does not want you to think that you are worth it, but you are.  You are more than a conquer in Christ Jesus. ( Romans 8:37).  He sees you and you can be a witness to His goodness , just as I am.  He will put you out of the miry clay and place your feet on solid ground. ( Psalm 40:1-3).  Just hold on and trust Him.

Lord You are bigger than any struggle or storm.  We entrust our lives to You.  Help us to see your light when the darkness threatens to creep in.  Lets us remember that You are with us in the valleys of shadows and death and that it is You that leads us through.  We love You Lord and thank You for seeing us.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen

A Praise on my lips

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—Psalm 103:1-2

I’m approaching another birthday and as I consider all the ways the God has shown up and shown out, I can’t help but be grateful.  I am humbled by His goodness to me.  His faithfulness to be with me each and every day.  

He is with me in the sun and clouds.  He does not let the storms overtake me.  He settles my soul.  He provides for me and wipes every tear.  I am precious to Him, little ol’ me.  He sent His Son to die for me and then live again so that I can too.

God is great!  So I praise Him with everything I have.  I thank Him for being absolutely magnificent!  I love You Father.  I love You Jesus.  I love You Holy Spirit. 

Father, thank You for teaching me what real love is.  Thank You for all Your benefits.  Thank You for life.  In Jesus name. Amen

Cry out to God

 “When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17, ESV).

Sometimes life feels like its moving too fast.   As a teacher I deal with over a hundred personalities, needs, and wants. It can feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders.  Reading newspaper headlines does not help, so much chaos and confusion in the world. I get overwhelmed.  Life is good and I know it, but I still feel like I'm drowning.  What do I do?  I cry out to God.

I cry out to my Creator and Father who cares about every detail of my life.  I cry out to the source of my strength.  I have faith in the God that sees me and hears me and count on Him to deliver me.  I trust in Him to see me through as He has done countless times before.

I cry out for love, love that will flow between neighbors and strangers alike.  I cry out for peace and wholeness.  I cry out for deliverance and remain hopeful in the God for whom all things are possible(Mathew 19:26).  I trust Him to direct my path for He is good and He is good to me. I seek His presence and find comfort like no other for He is God; my God.  I remember Jesus.  I say His name and am home.

Lord, thank You for hearing me and delivering me out of all my troubles.  Thank You for delivering from distress and stress.  Thank You for your peace that passes all understanding.  Thank You for being God.  In Jesus name I pray. Amen