He Finished it All

Y'all, I'm not a finisher.  I have a lot of good ideas and start a lot of projects just to leave them hanging about half way through.  I burn hot for a few days and then the fire fizzles out as fast as it started burning.  This 31 day series is personal for a few reasons.  First, it was a tool for God to use to draw me closer to Him.  I couldn't have written a word of this series without spending time with Him.  Second, it allowed me the thrill of completing something I started.  

There are 1,000 excuses that run through my head before I start anything.  What if I fail?  What if I'm not good at it?  What if I don't like it after all?  What if...  For this 31 day challenge, I knew I had to do it.  There was not a doubt in my mind that this was the right time, right place, and my heart was right about it.  The quote above, from The Lord of the Rings, says so much to me as a chronic procrastinator.  I think about doing a lot of great things, but I get in my own way most of the time and stop myself in my tracks.

I believe God used this challenge for me to grow and to believe that I could do something, in Him.  I could be encouraged by Him through other writers, and through time in the Word.  This was a very personal challenge for me, and I'm so glad that He worked in me throughout the entire process.  Y'all, it's not me that finished it, but Christ in me!  I could not have done any of it without God doing a work in me first.  I will miss all of the daily community and daily blogging.  I'm beyond grateful for the things I learned in the process.  Thanks be to God, in all things, for all things!

He is Our Freedom

Can you imagine being so hungry for a better freedom, for a better life, for Jesus, that you would risk everything to gain it?

In March of this year, a home in Houston was raided by government agencies.  It was a 2 bedroom house in a run down neighborhood.  In that tiny house, they found over 100 people looking for a better life huddled up in there.  100 people looking for freedom.  There were men, women and children.  

They want a better life, so they pay, or their family pays a coyote to bring them to the United States.  What they don't realize is they risk everything and gain nothing in the process.  I can't even imagine being that desperate for a better life.  It breaks my heart and it is happening everyday.

I'm not going to argue the legalities, the rights or the opinions that people have about that subject.  I just ask that we remember that they are sheep without a shepherd.  They need Jesus just as much as we do.  It's all about giving the same grace given to us.

Back to the point... Jesus paid the ultimate price for all of us to be free.  It's only in Him that true freedom is found.  It's only in Him that we can walk that freedom out and offer it to others.  Let His light shine in me so that others can see the hope of glory!   

He Will Go Before You

This past summer was an unusual summer.  I was silent.  I mean, I didn't hang out with local friends, I wasn't writing on my blog, and I wasn't as active on social media.  First, it was intentional, as I was setting standards for my boys.  I was starting to teach them to do chores around the house, and to take care of things as young men.  Then, one thing set me off in a spiral.  I wasn't depressed, but I certainly wasn't my usually optimistic self.

My husband totaled his car, after taking the day off to help me with my car.  He followed the AAA truck to the dealership, where we learned it needed some expensive repairs.  The accident happened on his way home.  Thankfully, he was not seriously injured, though he still has pain in his ankle from hurting it that day.  I don't know why, but these kinds of things overwhelm me.  It feels like the weight of the world to me when I'm in the midst of it.

Truthfully, I didn't even have to do anything.  Todd was the one that had to pay a ticket, meet with the insurance guy, buy a new car, and all the other stuff that goes into taking care of a major accident.  The thing that really struck me is how much worse that accident could have been.  It was a head-on accident, and since that accident, the city has taken steps to make sure it doesn't happen again.  

Through that experience, I learned to rest in the Lord in a new way.  Knowing that He goes before you, that He is with you gives great courage and strength to my spirit.  I don't need to be afraid of what "might happen".  Instead, I can rest assured that He already knows what will happen and has already prepared a way for us to get through whatever that may be.  I don't know about you, but that gives me great comfort.  It also takes the stress off of me and allows me to rest in His promise.

What are you stressing about these days?  How can I pray for you?

He Works All Things for Our Good

I was angry with God and questioning what I believed about Him when my mom quit going to church.  She left her position as the Pastor's secretary after an emergency appendectomy.  I didn't realize there was much more to this story than what I had been told by people around me.  My mom, never said anything negative to me about any of the church people, even though she was hurt very deeply by them.  It wasn't until years later that she told me the story of what really happened.

When she did tell me what happened, I had just lost my best friend unexpectedly, and my dearest Aunt passed away just 5 months prior to that.  To say that I was in a stage of questioning would be an understatement.  For years, I struggled with my worth, wondering why I wasn't good enough for "ministry".  I walked in what felt like the wilderness for years.  It wasn't until years later that I would really understand what ministry meant.  

There is so much hope in this promise, that God will work everything out for good.  He will give us beauty in the ashes.  We can rest in knowing that He is actively working in our lives, even in the seasons that seem He is nowhere to be found.  He uses the good, the bad and the ugly, and He turns it around for His glory.  Without the "wilderness years", I wouldn't understand His grace.  Without those years of questioning, I wouldn't be able to sit here today and write of His faithfulness to use it all for His glory, and for our own good.

Do you have something you are scared to share?  Are you hiding behind a mask?  Let me encourage you to share your story.  There is always someone needing to find hope.  What better way to share hope than to be on the other side and say "it gets better."  God is faithful and He can use every detail of our lives to point others to Him.

He Moves Mountains

Sometimes mountains look like a doctor report.  Sometimes they look like bills piling high.  Sometimes they are just impossible situations that seem impassible.  Jesus told us in Matthew 17:20 that mountains don't have to stop us.  In fact, He told us to move mountains by faith.  

God formed the entire universe by His word.  He created everything by His word.  How important is it for us to remember, as His creation, that we create by speaking also?  You shall have whatsoever you say, speak to the mountain, life and death are in the power of the tongue.  These are just a few examples of God's reminders that we create when we speak.  

Choose to speak life.  Speak love.  Speak peace.  Speak hope.  Speak kindness.  Speak faith.  His promise to us is this - things will change, mountains will move when we speak.  We are our Creators children, so wouldn't it make sense that we would create with our words as He does?

The created one, needs communion with it's Creator.  We are His creation, and when we fail to commune with our Creator, our creativity dries up.  It fails to produce.  On the other hand, when we spend time with the One who longs for our hearts, His creativity pours through us and we ooze grace and faith in our words.

Friend, if you are facing mountains today, let me encourage you in this - God has given you power in your words.  He invites us to take Him at His word and speak to our mountains and watch them move.  Will you speak to your mountain today?

He Makes All Things Possible

I get overwhelmed easily.  I get in over my head more than I'd like to admit.  When I started this 31 day series, I knew my calendar already looked busy enough.  I knew that I had a full schedule between kids school stuff, my mom's birthday, and personal projects.  But God in His infinite wisdom would not let me stop thinking about this series.  He knew I needed a schedule to set aside time to fellowship with Him.  He was drawing me in, and He used this series to draw me closer.  As easily as I get overwhelmed by the mountain of "to-do's", this month has been the least overwhelming month in years.  I attribute that to the daily time I've spent with the One who orders my steps.

Hebrews 11:6 "Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him."

Y'all, the reward is in seeking Him, in knowing Him.  I can attest to that.  Without spending time with Him on a daily basis this month, I would have been done in every way possible by October 2nd.  I would have buried my head in the sand and given up on all the "to-do's".  All I can say is with God, all things are possible. 

My biggest hang up is always that I know God is able, but is He able for me?  My go to prayer when I'm lacking faith "Lord, I believe, help my unbelief."  Today, I can tell you this - He cares enough to respond to what is going on in our lives, no matter how big or small it might be.  

God knew I needed some diligence and discipline in my life to keep me from feeling overwhelmed.  He gave it to me through the practice of 31 days.  I am so thankful that what seemed impossible to me, God said "it's nothing so big that I can't handle it."  And, He certainly has.  

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life right now?  Do you feel like you are drowning in to-do lists?  Let me encourage you to take a few minutes to spend time in His word.  Find His promises and you will find rest in them.  Know that He cares about every detail of your life.   

He is Working in Us

When I named my blog, I thought long and hard about what it should be called.  I already had a family blog, but this was going to be my blog about my walk with God.  I didn't really intend on finding a community of bloggers.  In fact, I only told my bible study group about it and never thought anyone would read it.  I felt like it would be more of a journal.

God is Working in Us was born to be a constant reminder to myself that God was always at work in my life, even when it felt like the ugly stuff wasn't part of the plan.  It was a reminder that God could use my mistakes as much as He could use my victories.  It's the same for all of us.

When I was 15 years old, I babysat for a family that lived about 15 minutes away.  They liked me enough that they would pick me up and drop me off.  One night, the father of the family took me home.  It was late, past midnight and we drove down a two lane highway all the way to my house.  It was so dark, and every so often a car would pass with lights so blaringly bright that I'd lose my focus for a second.

This is what he told me on the way home that night.  "Keep your eyes on the white line.  If you look at the center dotted lines, you will swerve into their lane and lose your focus.  If you keep your eyes on the straight white line to the right, it will keep you in your lane and help you stay focused when those bright lights are shining at you."

25 years later, and I can still vividly remember that conversation.  I was just learning to drive, so I'm sure that's a good part of why I can still remember it.  But, there were spiritual implications to me as well.  The thing is that I'm just now starting to understand those words and their spiritual meaning to me.  We were never meant to focus on the people around us or coming at us.  We were meant to keep our eyes focused on Jesus alone.  

God wants to set us free from the trap of comparison.  He wants us to know that He is working in us, too.  He wants to use our stories mightily to help set others free.  He is drawing us in, closer to Him. He is drawing you to a closer relationship with Him because He loves you that much. 

The thing is, we are all one body.  The body has many parts.  You are an important  part of the body.  You have a vital role in kingdom work.  If your gift is to write letters, write on.  If your gift is to make meals for the sick, cook on.  If your gift is to speak at women's events, speak on.  Whatever your gift, carry on, whether you are the only one doing it, or one of one thousand women doing it.  Carry on.

Father, my heart is burdened for those who have lost their focus.  My heart is heavy for people who feel they don't have a place in the body, or that their place is somehow insignificant. I lift them up to you, and ask you to do a mighty work in them today.  Heal their broken hearts.  Mend the hurt places.  I pray that they would find their focus fixed on you.  I ask that those bright lights heading toward them would dim and that they would be able to see you more clearly, Lord.  Help my friends who are comparing themselves to others to lay those feelings at your feet, and to take on humility and kindness.  Let your love so flow upon them right now that they would know you have healed them.  Help them get reacquainted with you, with your word.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

He is with Us Always

Yesterday we said goodbye to my Uncle Boots at his memorial service.  I last saw him a year ago at my dad's sister, Opal's funeral.  He looked frail, but still the same ol' guy I knew since birth.  He was married to my Aunt Rolene "Nene", and even after she passed away and he remarried, I still called him uncle.  He was 23 years older than my dad as was Aunt Nene.  My grandparents all passed away at early points in my childhood, and my Aunt and Uncle really stepped into that role for my sister and me.  

My uncle had a mouth that would make a sailor blush.  He seemed hard to people who didn't know him, but to those of us who knew him well, he loved well.  He gave everything he had to others, and I remember countless times that he spent time and money on me and my sister.  He started a rescue operation to rescue stranded boaters and swimmers in Galveston County, and ran that organization for many years.  He lived down the street from my small Christian school, so I would spend mornings with him before school, eating cereal and talking about the day ahead.  I would always tell him I was praying for him.  

Fast forward to yesterday when the pastor of his church talked about how he came to Jesus at nearly 80 years old, and his life changed over the next few years.  The pastor talked about how he knew people in his life had been a living witness throughout his life of a good God.  The cursing was few and far between, and he began to serve in his church in whatever way he could.

This blessed me so much.  God is with us always, and He is always at work in us.  He uses each part of our lives in some way for His glory.  When Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20 that He is with us always, it was after He had given the great commission to go out and tell others about Jesus.  I told my uncle about Jesus all of my childhood.  I know others lived out the gospel in front of Him, and I believe God used all of those experiences to draw my uncle to Him.  He is with us always, friends.

Live out the gospel because everyone is watching.  People are looking for hope today, and they want to know they are not alone.  God is with us, He is at work in us, and He wants to work through us to bring others to Him.  Be encouraged today, you are not alone.

He Will Strengthen Us

I am not a "Type A" personality.  I tend to like working behind the scenes doing the busy work.  I'm not an in your face person either.  I don't have any problem speaking in front of a group (if I know my subject matter), and I enjoy making new friends.  However, I am a strong reflective type of person, an introvert and I need a lot of recovery time after a being around a gathering of people.  

My sister and I threw our mom a big 60th birthday party.  I knew beforehand that I was going to need to have a quiet weekend at home.  I knew that I was going to need to find times during the party to just sit and be still.  But, I also knew that God was strengthening me for what I needed to do.

He promises us that He is always with us.  We don't need to be afraid because He is true to His word, and is with us always.  He also promises to strengthen us and help us.  I love the visual I get when I read "I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand."  Wow!  Can you just imagine the strength that is in that hand?  It makes me think of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.  If you haven't seen that movie, here is to what I'm referring.  The Winter Soldier is the Captain's best friend, but he has been brain washed and surgically altered with a steel arm that can punch through concrete.  It's quite strong.  

I can just see God's righteous right hand, holding on to us through out our days here.  Like a little kid that might try to run out, He grabs on like a parent and holds tight so nothing happens.  He strengthens us through His help.  He is always with us, so our fear can subside.  I love this promise from God today.  I love that I can rest in His promise to always be with me and strengthen me.  I hope you can find rest in that promise, too.   

He Makes All Things New

This is adapted from an earlier post this year.  

Are you like me?  Do you like change, but hate the process of change?  Do you desire things to change, but don't want to put the work into making it happen?  I wish I had a genie in a bottle most days.  A little too much "I dream of Jeannie" reruns in my childhood, maybe?

I am so guilty of desiring all kinds of changes and never stepping foot in the direction, which would make the change reality.  I tend to like doing things the same way over and over, but expect a different result.  I know, that's the definition of insanity.  I never said I wasn't just a little bit crazy.  

But really, change isn't going to happen over night, just like a butterfly has to spend time in it's cocoon before it spreads it's wings.  Change is not going to happen because I do something different one time.  It's going to be a day by day, sometimes minute by minute attention to detail.  It's going to be when I purpose in my heart that today will be different and nothing can shift me off that focus.  Real change is a God thing.  

I have lots of lists of things I want to change.  Journals lie around my bed with half-hearted "goals", but really they were wishes and hopes.  

I want to lose xx pounds by the end of the year

I want to save xx amount of dollars

I want to do a family bible study every day

I want to learn a new hobby
I want to...

The point that I miss, every time I make my lists, is that I'm dismissing what God might want to be doing in me at that time.  He is ALWAYS working in us.  Sometimes the picture is bigger than our 3 bullet points and neat little lists.  Perhaps he puts the desire in my heart to lose some weight.  But, when I don't invite Him to help me in the process, I start doing it in my own strength.  You know what?  My strength fails me.  Again, and again.  I can't do life on my own, try as I may.  I must get into a habit of inviting the Lord into my day to day, into the little things and into the big things.

I do want to lose xx pounds, and save xx dollars, and all those other things.  But, I can't do any of it without Jesus by my side, directing my path.  Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  When I get into His word, spend time communicating and listening to Him in prayer and meditation, and worship Him, I can hear Him more clearly, see the pathway more clearly.  

He is ready and able to help me change whatever we are needing to change.  He plants those desires in my heart for change and is wanting to walk through those changes with me.  

What is God wanting to change in you?  Where is He wanting to grow you in Him?  Will you take a leap of faith with me, and let Him light our path to show us how to make those changes?

He is Our Redeemer

Lost dreams?  Lost hope?  Lost purpose?  I've been there.  I know the feeling of not knowing what's next.  When depression comes in like a thief and steals the hope of tomorrow.  When bills are piled up, and it feels like there is no way of making it through.  When life just seems to be hard and unfair.  I know how it feels when you are facing bankruptcy as the only option for staying afloat.  The air feels so thick you can hardly breathe.  

But, we have hope in this promise.  Our redeemer lives.  He redeems all the broken pieces of shattered dreams, all lost hope, and all doubts of purpose.  Where we see no promise, He has promised that He will redeem all of it.  Don't give up hope today.  Lean hard into Him and know that He will perfect that which concerns you. (Psalm 138:8)

Worrying about these missing, broken pieces will do one of two things.  Worry will either propel you to the feet of Jesus, surrendering it all to Him.  Or, worry will push you to a counterfeit god (idol), which only satisfies for a moment.  Jesus takes our worry about our brokenness and redeems it into a beautiful story of hope and life.  Nothing is ever too late or too lost for Jesus to redeem it.  Nothing.

Friend, if you are feeling like your dreams have passed you by, or it's too late to walk in the gift God gave you, it's not too late.  If you feel like you have lost your hope to the worries of today, let me encourage you to lay them at the feet of Jesus now.  Without Him, we can do nothing.  Even the somethings we try to do are worth nothing without Jesus in it.  Let's lay it all at His feet today.

Thank You Father for redeeming us.  Thank you for making all things new.  We lay our worries and our burdens at your feet, knowing you are able to redeem our brokenness.  We give it all to you.  Today, Lord, be the light in our life.  Be Lord today.  Today, make all things new for us, and bring us to hope in You alone.  In Jesus Name, amen!

He Fills Our Hearts Desire

I kept a regular journal from the time I was 15.  I laugh when I read some of the entrances now.  Silly things.  But, there are so many deep things, too.  I wrote about dreams, plans and hopes.  Those journals are full of things I believed God called me to do.  They were also filled with plans that I made for myself.  None of my plans were bad, they just weren't the plans God had for me.

Psalm 37:4 is a well known verse "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."  I think most of my life I've read it like this "Spend time with God, enjoy getting to know Him, and He will give you whatever your heart desires."  I think there is some truth to that.  He desires to bless us, that is His Father heart.

However, as I've grown in the Lord, I have come to read this with deeper faith.  "Find your delight in Him, enjoy His presence, and He will fill your heart with desires for His will, for more of Him."  That, of course, is my loose interpretation of scripture.

To find our joy in Him, to be satisfied fully in Him is what our hearts truly desire to begin with.  We try to fill that God-sized space in our lives with things, people, events, our own plans.  The result is always an empty feeling that leaves us longing for more.  

The desires of our heart are truly to know God and to be known by Him.  To have communion with Him and know His will.  His will is that our desires line up with His desires.  What is His desire for you today?  My friend, His desire is for you to know Him, to walk with Him, to know His presence and to be led by Him.  It's His desire that you walk in His grace and favor and know His glory.  

What is holding you back from finding delight in Him?  I know for me, I fill up my time with busy things, or bossy things as my friend Karrilee puts it.  Let's surrender those things to the Lord today and let Him give us our hearts desire.  Will you do that with me?

Father, we surrender those things that we try to fill our lives with in place of you.  We repent for allowing those things to dictate our joy and the direction of our lives.  We ask that you would fill us with more of you.  Fill us with your glory, Lord.  Let us be so full of you that others see the difference in us.  Give us the desire of our heart, to know you and to be known by you.  We love you, Lord.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

His Mercies are New Every Morning

Sunday Scripture

He Gives Us Favor

I wrote at the beginning of October about how God is our provider.  My car was having some issues and it looked like we were going to have to shell out a lot of money to get it fixed.  After some researching and calling around, we were getting ready to pay close to $1000 to fix the alternator.  My husband had an idea to go to one more place to have a different diagnostic run on it.  The guy said "the battery just needs to be charged."  We were carefully optimistic about this because it was such a huge change from an earlier place that gave us the original diagnosis.

He came home and charged the battery for a good part of the day.  Since then, my car has started perfectly fine, and seems to be running like it should.  God's favor has been on us, and this was a huge blessing to our family.  Psalm 5:12 "For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield."  

Favor comes in many forms.  Some have favor when they go for an interview, some have it when they speak to those in leadership, and others have favor when they need to get their car repaired.  Do you know that sometimes favor looks like Psalm 23:5-6?  He prepares a table before you in the presence of your enemies, He anoints your head with oil.  Your cup runs over!  Goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life and you get to dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

Friend, I don't know what you need God's favor for right now, but I believe He is ready to cover you with favor.  Would you believe with me that He has you covered like a shield with favor?  He gives you life and favor and He preserves your spirit.  Can I pray with you to have favor for something specific?  I know God is willing and able to keep His word!

He Leads Us to Still Waters

Have you ever heard the phrase "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink"?  I always wondered why one would not want to drink when they are led to that water.  It's the same with the Lord.  He leads us to quiet places of rest (still waters), but the noise of this world becomes more enticing and leads us away from that rest.    

Image by Pippalou@morguefile.com

God has never forced anyone to enjoy His rest.  Instead, He gently leads us there and allows us to choose if we will drink from the living water.  We get to choose if we will abide in His rest.  Psalm 23:1-2 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters."  The Hebrew for this says "He leads me besides waters of rest."

The past two days, I chose to do it my way.  No time to sit still in His word for too long.  No time to sit in His presence.  No time to sit in prayer, either listening or requesting.  I feel the difference today.  All along, He is gently leading me "Now is the time to seek Me."  I had time, but decided to fill that time with noisiness.  

Rest is not elusive.  It is available to us at any time, any day.  God is continually offering it to us, drawing us in.  It is up to us to walk in it and accept God's call to rest.  

What is keeping you from going to the waters of rest today?  Will you take a few minutes and invite God into your midst?  Ask Him to lead you today.  I promise, you (and I) won't regret His leading.

Father, we commit our days to you. We give them over to you today.  Thank you for leading us beside still waters of rest.  Thank you for drawing us in to your presence daily.  We lay down our noise, our busyness and everything that competes for our attention to draw us away from you.  We lay it all down at your feet, and ask you to lead us, be Lord over it all.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

He is Our Refuge and Strength

The news today is bleak and grim without much hope.  There will be no rest for the weary today if you think about the possibility of disease, earthquakes, wars, stock market crashes, and a long list of other doomsday headlines.  Watch for just ten minutes and fear can try to grip you.

Today, I'm thankful for this promise from God.  No matter what is going on around me or even to me, God is my refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1  It's good to be knowledgeable about what is going on here, but it's better to know God is present and actively at work in us.  He provides shelter to us in our distress.  

Fear doesn't have to take hold in our hearts and control our thoughts or actions.  When we walk in the presence of God, we can walk in peace.  Further down, in verse 10 of Psalm 46, God says "Be still and know that I am God."  Not only can we rest in He is our refuge and strength, but know that He IS GOD!  

When I think of God, I think of majesty and how big He must be to have created everything.  How powerful His words are that He just spoke and it came to be.  I think if anyone can handle the "news" today, God can.  Let me encourage your heart today.  If you've been filled with fear and anxiety over the world news, or even your own personal news, rest in knowing that God is YOUR refuge and strength.  He is present to help you in trouble.  Be still and know that He is God.

He is Our Helper

Some days, I just don't have it.  I don't have the mojo to clean, cook, shop, or take care of my family.  I can't bring myself to pray, to read the Word or to Worship.  Sometimes, all I can do is say the name of Jesus.  When I have days like that, the only way I get through is through our Helper.  

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

This morning, the kids were in my bed and I offered to drive them to school because they were all warm and snuggly, and I just wanted an extra 30 minutes with them.  They were comfortable and so was I.  They decided at the last minuted to ride the bus, which meant we needed to rush to get ready.  Rushed mornings are like ice to my veins.  Shocking and cold.  I don't like rushed mornings.

Once the boys were off to school, I thought of one thousand other things I needed to do than sit and read my bible.  So, I did them instead of spending time with the Lord.  I can tell what a huge difference today has been without a dose of time with God.  I simply prayed "Lord, be my help today."  I'm thanking God for this promise today: 

Romans 8:26-27 "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

I'm so thankful that today, the Holy Spirit himself is interceding for me in my moment of weakness.  Be encouraged today that He is interceding for you, too.

He Keeps Watch Over Us

Each night, before my boys go to sleep, they ask me to pray for them.  They are usually looking for the comfort of God's promise to watch over them while they sleep.  I pray that the Angels of the Lord are encamped about them, that they are His beloved, and He promises His beloved sweet sleep.  I pray that He will keep watch over them and be with them wherever they go.

I love that time with my boys, and that they are learning the truths of His promises at an early age.  The truth is that we all need to be reminded that He is always watching over us, and not in a creepy big brother way.  He's watching carefully and intently.  Nothing gets to us without Him seeing it first.  He is never far, just call upon Him.

If you have an extra minute, listen to this amazing song by Kari Jobe. 

We can lift our eyes up and know that He is the keeper of our hearts.  He is watching over us and never fails us.  If you are feeling alone today, please know that God is with you always.  He reaches out to draw you near to Him.  He wants you to know that He is watching over you today!

Do you have a hard time trusting that God is always watching over you?  Do you know that He is with you always?  He is.  Thank Him today for His faithfulness!

He is Our Joy

This is part of a post I wrote over a year ago.  It has been on my heart lately.  This time of year, as we head into the holidays, seems to be when more people fall into depression.  It doesn't have to be that way.  I know, I have walked through it.  God is always faithful.  When we get into His presence, there is abundant joy!

Why does God want our joy to be full?  What allows our joy to be full?  

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full."

The scriptures leading up to and after John 15:11 are the instructions for having a joyful life.  The answer is overwhelmingly LOVE.  Love abiding in us, God's love abiding in us, allows us to walk joyfully because we are not holding onto anger and resentment toward anyone.  Instead, we see them with the eyes of love, almost with rose colored glasses.  It's as if we see people the way Christ sees them.  The way God wants us to see others.

Love grows inside us when we spend time with the Lord, and in that process, abundant joy grows in us.  We know we are capable of loving like Jesus does - Christ in us, the hope of glory.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  Since Jesus lives in us, we can love like Him.  We are able to grow in areas where we are weak.  

The first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-40) is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind.  Then, love our neighbor as ourselves.  Jesus is our example for how we ought to live.  If we don't know where to start, we look at Jesus to find our answer.  Abide in Him and He will abide in you.  His love will abide in you.

One thing I have learned is that it is hard to walk in anger toward someone you are praying for.  I mean, someone you are really praying for.  If you find someone hard to love, start praying for them.  One of two things will happen, they will change, or you will change and see them differently.  It usually works that God changes your heart for that person.  He will knit your heart to them, and they won't even realize it.  

When we choose to love people as God loves them, joy fills our hearts, our thoughts, our talk, our complete lives.  Let's choose love today, and we will see the result of joy!  God wants us to walk in joy.  It is not contingent upon our circumstances, it is completely contingent upon spending time in God's presence.  

We are more effective at pointing people to Christ when our joy tank is full.  Have you ever met a grumpy Christian who told you about Jesus?  Would you want what they have?  No!  Let them see that in all circumstances we can give thanks, and walk in love with joy following us wherever we go.  I am preaching to myself!

Father, we know that when our faith is put to the test, it is proved genuine.  We rejoice in you with a glorious, inexpressible joy.  Thank you for giving us joy in our journey.  I pray that our joy will be full as we choose love today.  Thank you for the promises in your word that lead us back to you, to relationship with you, that stands the test of time.  We love you, God.  I lift up my friends to you and ask you to fill their love buckets up so they can be a light of joy wherever they go, a beacon of light that points them to Jesus. In Jesus Name, Amen!

He is For You

Have you ever felt alone in a battle?  I know how defeating it can be when we feel like no one gets it, or no one is for us.  One truth in the promises of His word is that He is for us.  And not only is He for us, but who could possibly be against us if God is for us?  Just simply put, you are not alone.  God is greater than anything that could be coming against you today.

Let's focus our eyes on Jesus today.  He completed the work on the cross so we could walk in freedom today, and enjoy the benefits of the promises of God.  If God is for you, that is all you need to strengthen your faith and to walk strong in Him today!  

It's short today, but sometimes there isn't a lot you can add to such a powerful statement.  Let me encourage you to focus on this promise today, no matter what might try to come against you.  He is for you!

He is Faithful

Over the past 8 months, I've drawn inward.  I haven't even reached out to God.  My bible study time would be hot one day and cold for the next two weeks.  I'd pray quick and simple prayers, followed by short outbursts of worship.  My heart wandered, longing for time with Him, but seeking after easy escapes from life.

I tend to be more fickle than faithful.  I get fired up and then quickly cool off.  It's the ebb and flow for me.  Thankfully, with God, there is no ebb and flow, fire and ice, fickle and faithful.  He is an even keel of faithfulness throughout all generations.  His faithful love toward us never goes out of style, it never is fleeting, and it never changes.

I'm grateful that God is God.  He is the great I Am.  There are so many scriptures about His faithfulness that I could not possibly list them all here.  I'll just say that His faithfulness goes from Genesis to Revelation, from Old Testament to New Testament.  It is still relevant, and still in action today.  

You have not gone so far that His faithful love will not reach you still.  None of us have failed Him too many times that He's given up on us.  No, instead, He is there, faithfully waiting for us to turn our eyes to Him.

Let me encourage you today in this:  He is faithful.  His faithfulness never ends.

He Cares for You

I have walked through the shadow of depression at different points in my life.  I have walked quietly, and in recent years, I have been more bold about the struggle, here on my blog.  Most of the time, an episode of depression starts from a care, worry or anxiety about something I have no control over.  It snowballs into constant thought on said circumstance, and then into being completely overwhelmed by life.

My head knows 1 Peter 5:6-7 by heart.  I learned it when I was in second grade at my small Christian School.  We even had a song that went with it.  "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you."

But, getting head knowledge into your heart can sometimes be a long process.  Other times, it's like a miraculous healing and you just get it.  For me, learning to apply 1 Peter 5:7 was a long process.  Coming to fully understand that He fully cares for me was pivotal.  I really like the Amplified version of verse 7b "for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully."

I sometimes skip over verse 6 because I like to think that I'm a pretty humble person.  However, this verse is a verb.  Humble yourself, girl.  I think that's how God is talking to me.  He says "Humble yourself, girl.  Get under my mighty hand.  I'm bigger than you, and I can handle this life.  This life - it's more than you can handle alone, so don't try to do it all alone - I care for you."

I don't know about you, but it gives me a lot of freedom when I know I don't need to watch my back or up or below or in front of me with such intensity.  He cares enough to watch over me.  He cares enough to cover all my anxiety.  Why should I take on that burden, too?  We can nail it to the cross where Jesus paid for it all.  He has redeemed it all, and already provided for it all.

What is weighing heavy on your heart today?  Are you full of anxiety or worry?  Will you come with me and lay those things at the feet of Jesus today?

Father, we lift up all of our worries and anxieties to you.  We lay them at your feet.  We know that you are ABLE to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we could ask or think.  We know we don't gain anything by worrying about our tomorrows, but You hold all of our tomorrows in Your capable, loving hands.  We lay it all down and surrender all anxiety and worry to you.  In Jesus Name, Amen!

He is Our Peace

Turn on the news today, and fear can quickly creep in.  Disease, war, fraud, trials, property values, economy, the list could go on and on.  Add in personal turmoil, distress or angst, and you've got a combination for great stress and fear.  All of these things can weigh heavy, keeping us up at night.  

But here is where we can find rest in His promises:

In the midst of everything going on in our crazy world, He promises to be our peace.  We can find rest in Him, even when it seems we need to be on high alert with worry.  Isaiah 26:3-4 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Seasons change, circumstances change, even we change, but God does not change.  He is an everlasting rock.  We have this promise that we can put our trust in Him, we can keep our minds on Jesus and He will give us perfect peace.  This doesn't just say He will give us peace, but that He will give us perfect peace.  

Perfect means "being entirely without fault or defect; lacking in no essential detail."  One definition of peace is "a state of tranquility or quiet."  Peace isn't always just the absence of conflict, but it is always the presence of God in our lives.  Peace doesn't come just by turning off the news and burying our head in the sand.  It comes when we spend time with God, getting quiet with Him, and letting Him cover us with His love.    

Let me encourage you today to seek Him.  When we seek Him, we will find Him and we won't be disappointed.  He desires to fill us with His peace, we just need to allow ourselves to trust Him fully.

How can I pray for you today?

He Restores Us

Some days our souls are just plain weary.  The dog escapes the backyard, one kid forgets his homework while another decides to fill the toilet with a roll of toilet paper.  The car won't start, and you don't have what you need to make dinner before everyone gets home.  On top of it all, you haven't had a second to sit and pray and just enter into His rest.  It happens to us all at some point.

When our soul grows weary, He revives us.  When our soul is buried in sin, He purifies us.  His love leads us to restoration.  He promises rest for us if we will abide in Him.  The same One who rescued us from our sin, promises to restore every aspect of our lives.  

Merriam-Webster defines restore as to give back (something that was lost or taken; to bring back into existence or use; to return something to an original condition by repairing it, or cleaning it.  Wow!  His promise to make us new, and in being made new, our souls are restored.

Oh friend, He will restore you.  He CAN make all things new.  We all go through times where we are just worn down and have nothing left to give.  Let His love wash over you now.  What is broken in your life?  What is lost or has been taken from you?  I will pray for restoration for you.  

Father, we love You.  You are so faithful.  You are true to Your word, and we put our trust in You.  You see all of our brokenness, all of our hurts, all of our losses and failures.  You know every single part of our being and nothing can be hidden from you.  We lay all of these things at Your feet.  Thank you for restoration, for restoring our souls back to You.  We love you, Lord.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

His Grace is Sufficient

I have some serious weaknesses, but the most serious of them all is food.  Let me refine that to say, sugary foods and drinks.  I could drink a coke from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to sleep.  I'm sure I've had cake or cupcakes for breakfast more than I'd like to admit.  It's a struggle, and it's real.  

Three years ago, I lost 30 pounds.  I kept it off until I turned 40.  I just went through a "I don't care about my weight" phase.  Truth is, I was hiding from some deep hurts.  It was not until I turned 41 that I realized I gained ALL 30 of those pounds back.  I had a wake up call when I just couldn't get over the number on the scale and the fact that I HAD to buy new pants because the others were getting holes in them from being stretched too thin.

This was three weeks ago, right as I was starting to prepare myself for this series.  God works that way sometimes, you know?  He prepares you for things for which you don't even know you need to be prepared.  My heart was softening to getting back into a regular routine of working out, not sitting on the couch so much, and watching what was going in my mouth.  So, I started walking again.  I cut down to only 8 ounces of soda a day (it's a really big deal, y'all). 

More importantly, my  heart was getting right with God again.  I felt like I was in a drought for a year.  I was thirsty for God, and needed the Living Water to refresh my soul.  It came like a rushing wave, all at once.  God provides for us in every single way possible.  His grace really is sufficient for us.  His power is made strong in our weakness, and He always provides a way out of temptation. 

He knows where we are weak.  Where we are weak, He is strong.  I am turning to the Lord to sustain me and keep me satisfied.  I am hungry.  I'm hungry for holiness and God's way of doing things.  I am spending 31 days seeking Him, but I believe in these 31 days, He is changing me.  

Where do you need His grace today?  Do you have something you struggle with routinely?  Come with me, and let's lay it at the feet of Jesus today.  He has overcome, and since He lives in us, we are overcomers!  

He is Our Provider

My car has sounded like it's struggling to wake up every time I turn the key.  It says "nooooo...oooookkkkayyyy."  Today, I had to run 3 errands.  My husband is at an offsite meeting about an hour and fifteen minutes away from home (assuming no traffic in Houston).  And that, my friends, is a big fat joke.  

Anyway, I decided in between two errands to stop at the car repair place to have a diagnostic run and see what it would cost to fix it.  $870.  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.  My heart sank instantly because I already have a $1500 repair I need on the same car already.  How on earth would we be able to do this *right now* with my mom's birthday, my youngest son's birthday, Christmas, and everything in between?  

As I drove away, I heard that still, small voice "I will supply this need."  The funny thing is that I woke up this morning singing this old song we sang in church 30 years ago.  

"Jehovah Jireh, my provider, His grace is sufficient for me.  My God shall supply all my needs, according to His riches in glory.  He will give His angels charge over me, Jehovah Jireh cares for me."  

I love how God works.  He was preparing my heart to trust Him to provide even before I knew there was a need.  The scriptures of His provision and His ability to do the impossible started welling up inside of me.  

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will supply every need of your according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."

Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God."

So, I sat in my car for a few minutes, preaching to myself.  Reminding myself that God's promises are yes, His word does not return to Him void, and He is way bigger than an alternator!  He is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that I could ask or think.  He is our provider!  Now, I'm pumped up and believing that He is who He says He is, and He CAN DO what He says He can do!

What are the big things in your life?  How can I pray for God's provision for you?  It's not always financial, sometimes it's emotional, physical, or relational.  Let me know how I can pray for you below.