Trusting and hoping in God

 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.  ~Romans 8;28

I am totally dependent upon God.  Every detail of my day, every need and desire is met by putting my trust and hope in Him.  I cannot do life without Him.  And my God cares about me.  He cares about the details of my life.  He sees me.  He sees my anxious thoughts and calms me.  He sees my needs and provides.  

This may not matter much to some people, but I am a person who lives by routines and structures.  They help me manage my day and keep a rhythm that I can maintain a life balance to.  Some things have happened to throw off the rhythm, but praise God that He keeps my beat.  

I want to share a story of how God works for me.  I wash clothes every Thursday and Friday.  One week my dryer stop working properly and God saw to it that that warranty was still on the dryer and that my husband was able to be at home during his lunch break to see that the repairs were done so that I could stay on  schedule.  It was a quick fix.  The next week the washer acts up.  Warranty just expired.  It would be cheaper to buy a new one than let Best Buy repair it, but God.  He saw fit for an emergency wash needed to be done on a Tuesday -agitator ( the tool that cleans the clothes and spins is done).  Wouldn't have known that in advance without my routine being agitated.  God saw fit for a you tube video to be available for my husband to see how to repair the washer.  So for about $11 dollars my husband repaired the washer.  God saw that the part was in stock.  He gave my husband the wisdom and he gave me the faith to trust God as I trusted in my husband's ability.  He reminded me not to worry about anything, but through prayer and petition with thanksgiving to present my request to God and the peace that surpasses all understanding would guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (paraphrase) (Philippians 4:6-7).

I shared all this to say that God takes it all, the good and the bad, works it out for the good.  It was a bad thing that the emergency wash needed to be done, but it was a good thing that a greater need was shown.  It was a bad thing that my routine was agitated by an agitator, but it was a good thing because it made me even more dependent on God.  God never fails and He never lets me down.  He works all things out.  My washer was fixed, but so was my faith.

Lord, I thank You that You watch over me just like You watch over the sparrows.  Thank you for the lessons learned during moments of anxious circumstances.   Thank You for being my peace. Thank You for turning my bad into good.  In Jesus name I pray.  Amen

God's promises

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~ Isaiah 41:10

God's promises are beautiful.  They are sustaining and they are true.  I do not know about you, but it takes me a minute to get roaring in my work week.  Monday's are me calling on Jesus  to do all things in His strength.  Tuesdays . I press my way through to get to hump day. (Just being real.)  But this Monday, the memory verse for the week had me jumping for joy because I knew that I would not be doing my day or week alone.

 God tells me that I have nothing to fear for He is with me.  I do not have to fear the worries on the job or the demands of home life.  I do not have to be dismayed by Monday blues for He is my God and my God is bigger than anything.  He is better than anything.  Nothing compares to Him.  There's a hallelujah shout right there.

He then goes on to tell me that He will strengthen me.  See, I do not have to do life in my own strength.  I have the heavenly Father walking right beside, making my yoke easier( Mathew 11:30).  He says that He will help me. He will help me kind to my students and extend grace to those that might attempt to challenge me.  

My Father also says that He will uphold me with His righteous hand.  I wont fall.  I wont slip.  God's got me and He has my front and back.  My God is a good, good God.  His word is not just for me, but its for you too.

Lord, I love you and I thank You for coming along beside me.  Thank You for the hope that Your word brings me.  Thank You for the evidence of it each and every day.  Thank You for being my strength and help.  Thank You for letting fear slip away as I stand in the confidence of You.  In Jesus name.  Amen

When worry creeps in...

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  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 a mental condition characterized be excessive and persistent worry, fear, and unease.  It can manifest itself physically, emotionally, and behaviorally.  Its a condition that I battle on a daily basis.  Its a "thorn in my side.(2 Corinthians 12:7-10)  It keeps me humble and honest as I turn to the Lord for relief.   I turn to the One who knows me and loves me.  The One who gives me victory daily over this disease of the mind.

Yesterday, in the First 5 App the writer provided a practical way to apply the above scripture. P.A.T.   First, when worry and unease presents its head, pray.  Go to the Father and communicate and commune with Him. Ask for what you need.  He stands ready to provide.  Thank Him in advance for His past, present, and future provision.

God promises that when decide to not worry and instead trust because we have come to Him through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, that He will give us peace.  Peace is the assurance of Him.  The ability to rest in Him.  He will guard our hearts and minds.  The circumstances do not necessarily change, but we do.  We stand firm in the midst of the storm.

As I said last week, pray the word.  Stand on His word because God keeps His word.  Right now I am thinking about all the angels He has dispatched on my behalf. (Psalm 91:11-12).  God is a good.  He gives me victory.  So each day, I dedicate the day to Him and trust that what He wants will be done.  I trust Him with my fear and ask for His mercy. In return He gives me the blessed assurance of Him and worry fades and faith conquers fear.

Lord, I thank You for Your love, word, and truth.  I thank You for your goodness and guidance when anxiety rears its' head.  I thank You for your grace and power.  In Jesus name. Amen

Pray the Word

 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  ~Psalm 23:2-3

I woke up this morning with trepidation, but I turned to the Lord.  I called out to my Father and told Him how I was feeling and then I spoke His word.  I spoke truth into my life.  I declared the truth that I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37).  I reminded myself that if God before me who can stand against (Romans 8:31).  I told the Lord what He has told me that His promises are "yes and amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20) so I know that He will not leave me nor forsake me( Deuteronomy 31:8).

As I prayed His word over my life I felt the anxiety and fear leave.  I asked God to lead and guide my day as I dedicated it to Him and He is doing just that.  He has calmed my soul and allowed me to rest in Him.  He has led me to still waters, so that I could drink of Him.  Sheep drink from still water because it does not frighten them.  So the Lord calmed the waters for me this morning.  He is a good and gracious Father. He has guided my day and kept me on a righteous path that He may be glorified.  He has lifted me. 

Right now, in the First 5 App we are studying bible verses to help us navigate our journey with Christ.  Scriptures that we can go to where, comfort, protection, and power can be found.  Scriptures that help us meet Christ in our studies.  Today I am a witness to the power of God's word over my life.  He has done it before and He did it again.  I am so grateful that His word is alive and active ( Hebrews 4:12).  I thank God for the living Word of Jesus.

Lord, thank you for calming my soul.  Thank you for leading and guiding me.  Thank You for Your word and the blessing of You.  May I always turn to You and Your word.  In Jesus name. Amen