When we are afraid

Psalms 56:3 NIV

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

 

Seeing the headlines in the news or thinking about storms to come can be scary, but we don’t have to be. His word says that when we are afraid we can ( we will) put our trust in Him.  We put our trust in God who grants us peace when our minds are steadfast and fixed on Him ( Isaiah 26:3).

Keeping our minds on Him and trust in Him removes the burden from trying to solve the problems ourselves.  Rather we put our fears and concerns in the hands of the Almighty who is bigger than any problem.  

We rest assured that we are in the safety of His arms. We run into a strong tower. The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe(Proverbs 18:10). We remember that God is sovereign and their is nothing to hard for our God.

We remember that He is our loving Father who lavishes is with compassionate love knowing that we are mere humans(Psalm 103:14). And we stand affirmed that He is the Almighty God, sovereign over all.  He has us in His hand and nothing can snatch us from His hands( John 10:28-30).So whatever fear or anxiety may raise its head we can crush it with the truth of trusting in all wise Father.

Lord, sometimes I get afraid.  Life can be overwhelming and the enemy wants me to be fear.  But You did not give me the spirit of fear.  So help me to run into the safety of Your arms and trust You.  Trust you with my heart and faith.  Trust You with my relationships and finances.  Trust You with world events.  Trust You with everything and anything that would seek to come between us.  I love You Lord and I thank You for your grace and mercy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

When you feel stuck

 

Psalms 16:5 NIV

LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

Sometimes it can feel like you are stuck.  Stuck in a job or relationship.  Maybe you feel stuck financially.  Life seems to be moving and passing you by.  You may not be happy with your lot.  But I challenge you, including myself, to see if we are mentally and spiritually stuck.  Perhaps our view of life is “stuck” in a worldly perspective. Maybe our heart posture needs to change or adjusted.

Maybe we need to ask ourselves what is important to us and look at our true inheritance.  Our true inheritance is Christ.  With Christ their is abundant living. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly(John 10:10) The thief doesn’t want you to focus on the goodness of God and the joy He brings.  The thief wants you to feel stuck as if their is no hope.  He wants you to feel like God can’t make that job or relationship whole and complete.  He wants you to forget His promise that you shall not lack( Psalm 23:1)But God can do the impossible(Matthew 19:26) He is our good Shepherd and He wants us to flourish where we are planted.

Perhaps you are playing the comparison game and getting lost in could’ves and should’ves instead praising God for keeping His promises to you. God makes no mistakes and He has us right where He wants us for His purpose and glory.  It’s not to punish you, but polish you.  He is our portion and our cup and the cup He gives runneth over( Psalm 23:5)

When we seek Him first He makes our lots secure.  We are not stuck , but free in Christ.  We are blessed. We can say it is well with my soul.  Our perspectives on our situation changes and we overcome.  Our jobs won’t makes us bitter as we see opportunities for us to serve Lord in that mission field.  Our relationships will have peace because we will walk in peace.  We will walk in love and hope.  Bitterness will not consume us as will not let that root be established in our lives.  We will trust in God for restoration and provision.  We will believe and rejoice in the goodness of the Lord and celebrate our freedom.

Lord, sometimes I feel stuck or allow myself to get in a rut.  I become dissatisfied and disappointed because my eyes and heart are fixed on the wrong things.  Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You.   Help me to remember that You are my portion and my cup.  You are my blessing and lot is secure.  Help me to see You in the midst of the mundane.  Give me the strength to go on and move forward in You.  Help me not to be stuck. Teach me to know and say that whatever my lot it is well, it is well, with my soul because that is what matters.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Communion with God

Jude 1:24-25 ESV

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

This verse is often quoted or said at the end of a church service.  It can become routine to hear it,  but there is so much power and hope in these words.  In this praise to God. This verse reminds me that God is able to keep me.  It reminds me that I am not walking this journey alone for He is with me.  It is He who has the power to keep me from stumbling as I abide in Him and He in me ( John 15:4-11). I am not doing this in my strength, but His.  Sin has no power over me. 

His work on the Cross allows Him to present me blameless before the presence of God because it is His shed blood that covers me. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”(Ephesians 1:7) He does this with joy because He loves us.

I also love how this verse keeps our eyes on the Savior for to God be the glory and majesty(all of it) for all honor belongs to Him.  To Him be the dominion( sovereignty and control)  over all things.  We are safe in His care. To Him be the authority as we submit to Him as Lord and King. His authority is both past, present, and future.  It is without end as He is without end.  

This verse represents communion with God.  It keeps me from striving and instead allows me to exist and have my being in Him (Acts 17:28)I am not alone.  God delights in me and I in Him.

Father thank You for love.  Thank You for keeping me.  Keep my mind stayed on thee and I will be careful to give you all the glory, honor, and praise.  Have your way Lord.  In Jesus name. Amen

A love letter

Psalms 18:1-2 NIV

I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

The first verse of Psalm 18 stood out to me.  I love you, Lord, my strength. It was like I was writing a love letter to God.  It’s simple and powerful.  I love you, Lord, my strength.  It speaks of relationship.  It’s speaks of devotion to the One who empowers me to love each and every day. Days go by fast and it’s easy to get caught up in routines and miss simple truths, like the love of the Lord. I don’t want to do that. 

All the reading of devotions and His word should never eclipse my love for Him and His for me.  It should be pointing me towards Him and our love daily.  That’s what it’s all about.  Loving Him with all of my heart, soul and mind(Matthew 22:37).

The Psalmist, David, goes on to say that the Lord is my  rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (verse 2) All true statements for God is a firm foundation. He is our refuge and defense.  He shields us from the enemy and He is a place of safety where we can safely hide in the comfort  of His arms. 

He is the strength of our salvation.  He is our everlasting hope.  He is my everything and I love Him.  Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in words,  but the heart of the matter is love.  God in His graciousness allows us to keep it simple and just say I love You. He allows us to acknowledge Him.  In doing so we acknowledge our place with Him.  We acknowledge the Cross and His sacrifice for us.  We acknowledge that it was He that first loved us.  

Lord, I don’t have fancy words or flattering speech, but I do have the truth.  I love you, Lord, my strength.  I thank You for the gift of love. Lord, let me not get lost in the stuff of doing.  Help me to remember that my being is in You.   I thank You for the gift of your strength that empowers me to walk by faith and not by sight.  I thank You for being my stronghold and defense.  Thank You for all that You are and all that You do.I love You Lord.   In Jesus name.  Amen

Will He?

Luke 1:37 KJV

For with God nothing shall be impossible.

There it is in black and white- For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).  God said it, I believe it, so everything should be cool right?  Let me be transparent about my hang up.  I absolutely believe that God can do anything.  I believe that there is nothing too big for my God because He is always bigger. But my problem is believing that He will do it for me.  There is my lack of faith.  It’s not a can He question, but a will He?

This question is what the enemy would have me stuck on because if I am stuck here I won’t move forward in faith. Yet, again my God is greater because the answer to the question is yes.  Wait, stop.  It’s more complex than that for me.  I believe that God will move on my behalf how He chooses to do so because whatever move He makes is for my good.  So the impossible becomes possible.  

It’s not my job to tell Him how to move, but I can humbly ask Him to move on my behalf.  I believe even a no is a yes from God because it’s for my good.  He is able and He is willing to do what is best for me because He loves me.  So I don’t need to get hung up on if He is willing to move for me.  I just need to trust and as a good friend and mentor sang in church last Sunday -Believe on it.

I don’t know if I made sense today, but I am hoping that someone else who may struggle with worrying g about outcomes will trust that God already knows the outcome and it’s for our good.  I am praying that someone else remembers the battles that He has already won for you and believes that He can do it again.  I’m praying that you know He loves us with an immeasurable love and that we shut the door on doubts.  I pray that we walk by faith believing in the impossible because we have God.

Lord, I thank You for letting me wrestle with stuff.  Things you already know.  I thank You that You take the time to reason with me and Your people.  I thank You for nothing being impossible with You.  I trust You with the outcomes.  Lord forgive me for those times that doubt creeps in.  Let me shut the door on it and the lies of the enemy.  In Jesus name.  Amen

"Interrupted" Plans

 "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

Today is my last day in my position as an Instructional Coach.  My position was dissolved and I am going back into the classroom.  As I reflect on my journey the Lord led me to a quote from one of my daily devotionals. " Friend, God's plans need to be our plans....even if His plans seem to "interrupt" our plans."  Those words leapt off of the page for me because I need to look at my new journey the way God sees it and not with my limited vision.

It may not have been my plan to go back to the classroom, but it's His plan and His plans for me are good. He even worked it out where I get to go back to my beloved Columbia High School. My alma matter and place where I taught for 13 years. There is a purpose for me in the classroom and I will be obedient with joy because it's His plan and He knows what is best.  My mind is racing with all the possibilities and opportunities I will have to share Christ with my students and colleagues.  I'm being sent to an old field that's ready for a new crop.  I am the servant sent to sow or either reap what He is or has planted.

 God 's word says in Romans 8:28  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. All things work for the good, but its according to His purpose.  Not my plan, but His and again His plans are good for me.

How do I know this?  I know this because He says it in His word.  "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  I know this because I have witnessed His faithfulness. So what may appear as an "interruption" may actually be a course correction to get me where I need to be and I want to be in the center of His will.

I think about all the blessings that come with being a classroom teacher and I move to a heart posture of gratitude.  I am move to gratitude because He cares about me enough to guide me on my journey.  He has blessed me with an opportunity to take what I have learned and grow into a stronger individual; into a woman who walks by faith.  A woman who trust in God.  One who is willing to take the test in order to have a testimony so that He may get the glory.

Father, thank You for Your Spirit that speaks to me.  Thank You for being all knowing for You know just what I need to hear at the right time.  Thank You for my journey and Your guidance.  Order my steps.  Keep me obedient to Your will for my life. Keep me humbled and bowed before You. May I be a blessing to others.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Burden Bearer

 

Psalms 68:19 NIV

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

The dictionary describes a burden as a load that is generally heavy,  Life is changing for me and questions swirl in my head.  Burdens of will I be "good enough" and  how will I adjust financially plague me.  Yet, even as I type these words I hear God saying "I got you. You are good enough because You are mine.  I will and have equipped you for the task that lies ahead. So tears come to my eyes as I read  and reflect on this Word from the Lord.  Just to know that I am not alone. That I am not without help brings me comfort and joy.

Perhaps you are carrying a burden and you have been trying to carry them by yourself in your own strength.  Well there is good news, we don't have to because the Lord God our Savior daily bears our burdens.  He daily heeds our call.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:28-30 to "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we are yoked to Jesus we can draw upon His strength.  We can find rest for our souls, for our inner man.  We just have to trust Him and rest in Him.

Lord, thank You for daily bearing our burdens.  Thank You for showering us with such compassionate love.  Let us look to You and trust in You. Forgive us when we doubt and try to carry burdens on our own. Let us rely on your strength and not our own. We love You Lord.  In Jesus name.  Amen