Need You Now (How Many Times) - Plumb

Jesus Calling Oct 31st

"Learn to listen to Me even while you are listening to other people. As they open their souls to your scrutiny, you are on holy ground. You need the help of My Spirit to respond appropriately. Ask Him to think through you, live through you, love through you. My own Being is alive within you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. If you respond to others' needs though your unaided thought processes, you offer them dry crumbs. When the Spirit empowers your listening and speaking, My streams of living water flow through you to other people. Be a channel of My Love, Joy, and Peace by listening to Me as you listen to others," (Young 318).

Exodus 3:5 (NLT)

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

John 7:38-39 (NLT)

“Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.

Today's devotion was really a smack in the face for me. I didn't read it this morning like I usually do every morning. I was too busy waking up early to get my work done. I didn't take anytime for myself so that I could just focus on God and get in the right mind set. I wasn't listening. And I got back to my room after my morning classes and I got all upset because I had to redo some work that I spent hours on. I was just pushing myself to get it done and be done with it because that is what I wanted. Yet I did not even stop to listen for God speaking to me. 

If we don't stop to listen, we could miss something very important that He wants to tell us. We are wasting energy doing our own thing without even listening to Him first so that He can lead the way.

Jesus Calling Oct 30th

Follow You - Leeland

God is always with us. Always. I know I say that a lot, but so many people don't even have a clue. They are unaware of His Presence's existence. 

He promises to always be with you. People don't know this or feel Him or hear Him because their minds are so clogged up and busy. They are so filled with everything going on around them that it is impossible for them to hear Him. They are unfocused. We are His children and His sheep, we should know what His voice sounds like. 

To start out you need to be in a quiet place. So you can hear His voice and grasp it. Know what it sounds like. Then you will be more experienced in hearing Him in the real world with everything going on around you. You will be able to hear Him in all circumstances if you just bring the stillness with you.

Jeremiah 20:13 (NLT)
Sing to the Lord!

    Praise the Lord!

For though I was poor and needy,

    he rescued me from my oppressors.

John 10:14-18 (MSG)

I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

Jesus Calling Oct 28th

Life is not fair. People are people, and they are judgmental. It's human nature to be that way. So some people will have the nerve to talk to you a certain way or say things about you that are not right and that are hurtful. But just brush it off your shoulders and know that God thinks the world of you and loves you more than you can ever imagine. Take the chance to grow in your faith and forgiveness and grace. It's not about getting even with people it is about loving your enemies. Loving everyone, just as Jesus does. Others' opinions have no meaning, God is the all knowing One and Creator, your Father. So just keep looking to Him. 

He sees you as His child. He Loves you and wraps you in His Righteousness. Think about it the other way around. It isn't fair that we get this free gift from Him. We are sinners. We don't deserve this from Him, but He continually blesses us. Just follow His ways of things and not the ways of others when they treat your poorly. He has filled you with His Love and Peace. Show it to others, especially in the worst of times.

Colossians 3:12-14 (MSG)

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Isaiah 61:10-11 (MSG)

I will sing for joy in God,

    explode in praise from deep in my soul!

He dressed me up in a suit of salvation,

    he outfitted me in a robe of righteousness,

As a bridegroom who puts on a tuxedo

    and a bride a jeweled tiara.

For as the earth bursts with spring wildflowers,

    and as a garden cascades with blossoms,

So the Master, God, brings righteousness into full bloom

    and puts praise on display before the nations.

Ephesians 1:7-10 (MSG)

Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.

Romans 5:3-5 (MSG)

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!

Sharing Scripture

Psalm 138:7-8 (MSG)
When I walk into the thick of trouble,
    keep me alive in the angry turmoil.
With one hand
    strike my foes,
With your other hand
    save me.
Finish what you started in me, God.
    Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:10-14 (MSG)
 I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

2 Corinthians 7:2-4 (MSG)
Trust us. We’ve never hurt a soul, never exploited or taken advantage of anyone. Don’t think I’m finding fault with you. I told you earlier that I’m with you all the way, no matter what. I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.

Isaiah 30:18 (MSG)
But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you.
    He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you.
God takes the time to do everything right—everything.
    Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.

Isaiah 40:27-31 (MSG)
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
    or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
    He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
    He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
    And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
    gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
    young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
    They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
    they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 41:11-13 (MSG)
“Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
    will end up out in the cold—
    real losers.
Those who worked against you
    will end up empty-handed—
    nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
    you won’t find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
    not even a memory.
That’s right. Because I, your God,
    have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
    I’m right here to help you.’

Psalm 34:4-6 (MSG)
God met me more than halfway,
he freed me from my anxious fears.
Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
Never hide your feelings from him.
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (MSG)
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference. 

-------------------------------------------------------
We can compare this poem to our walk with God. We are to take the path less traveled by others. Wherever God is leading us.

Jesus Calling Oct 26th

Lead Me - Sanctus Real

Whether you are troubled or feeling great, go to God! He will ease your pain and magnify your joy! He is everything you need at every moment in your life. He will satisfy you most of anything or anyone, He is your hearts deepest desire.

Today so many people are in search of how to improve their self and their being. But if you have God, you don't need that, He should be the center of your focus and attention. We are to depend on Him for everything. Everything we need is in Him. And He can provide that for us.

John 15:5-8 (MSG)

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

James 1:2-4 (MSG)

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Jesus Calling Oct 25th

You Never Let Go - Matt Redman

God is always with you. And He wants you to know that. Don't let the feeling of knowing He is with you become so familiar that you forget about it. I think we do this all to often. We get into a good place with God and then we keep moving along. And we trip and fall when we become to familiar with that. If you let Him He will make His Presence a flowing Joy into your life. Remember what His names mean. Jesus -- the Lord saves, and Emmanuel -- God with us. If you just hold on to Him during every moment, busy or not, and you just don't let go you will stay more focused on Him. Also, just keep talking to Him, all the time. He understands you most of anyone. Tell Him about anything you'd like. You have to learn to discipline yourself in that way so that you can stay focused on Him.

Acts 2:28 (NLT)

You have shown me the way of life,

    and you will fill me with the joy of your presence.

Jesus Calling Oct 24th

God made us so that we cannot just keep going forever. He knows we need to rest. In this day and time people are so connected with phones, computers, and the internet that we never stop. We never break away from that and just give it a break. Being connected all the time just makes us so zoned in and tense that we cannot connect with Him. Some people feel guilty like they cannot rest because they must be working. That is not right, God wants us to search for Him to tell us the way, not just keep busying ourselves with work. He wants you to show others the way once you find your way. Lead others on the path towards Him. He chose you because of your weaknesses. He knows you needed Him. Depend on Him for everything.

Psalm 23:1-3 (NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd;

    I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

    he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

    bringing honor to his name.

Jesus Calling Oct 23rd

I Can Only Imagine - MercyMe

Look at Him. He is shining His light upon you. You can feel the warmth of His Light, Love, and Smiles. Let Him in. Let Him fill you up and wash you with His Love and Presence. Doing so allows you to unite with Him in Joy. He fills you up, you bring Him Joy by doing this. By taking this moment of bonding in Joy with Him, you are growing even closer to Him. Growing together with Him, becoming inseparable. Don't let go, He will never let go of you.

John 17:20-23 (NLT)

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

You will show me the way of life,

    granting me the joy of your presence

    and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Jesus Calling Oct 22nd

He always has Joy for you. On good days and bad days, just connect deeply with His Presence. Some days you will find a lot of Joy throughout your day, those days are blessings. Just breathe it in and soak it up. Some days you will find less Joy, those days will seem bland and potentially sad if you let them be. Just remember that He holds Joy! And remember the good days for what they were! You have to look for the Joy in the not so great days. He has made this day a new day and a new chance for you! He is always with us! To receive the Joy, acknowledge His Presence there with you! Praise Him for He knows and understands specifically what you are going through! He knows better than anyone else! You will begin to feel better if you continuously talk to Him throughout your day. "Awareness of My marvelous Companionship can infuse Joy into the grayest day, (Young 309)."

Psalm 21:1-7 (MSG)

Your strength, God, is the king’s strength.

    Helped, he’s hollering Hosannas.

You gave him exactly what he wanted;

    you didn’t hold back.

You filled his arms with gifts;

    you gave him a right royal welcome.

He wanted a good life; you gave it to him,

    and then made it a long life as a bonus.

You lifted him high and bright as a cumulus cloud,

    then dressed him in rainbow colors.

You pile blessings on him;

    you make him glad when you smile.

Is it any wonder the king loves God?

    that he’s sticking with the Best?

Proverbs 2:1-5 (MSG)

 Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you;

    collect my counsels and guard them with your life.

Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom;

    set your heart on a life of Understanding.

That’s right—if you make Insight your priority,

    and won’t take no for an answer,

Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold,

    like an adventurer on a treasure hunt,

Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours;

    you’ll have come upon the Knowledge of God.

Jesus Calling Oct 21st

Blessed Be Your Name - Tree63

We cannot hide anything from God. Therefore, things that we wish to hide we should just be upfront with God about. Sometimes when things don't go our way we have negative and bitter feelings toward the cause. We shouldn't tuck those bad feelings away. Give them to God. The only way to get past anything is to give it to God. Giving those feelings to God helps you to feel free once again. You didn't realize it, but those feelings way you down and pull you away from the Light. Train yourself to not feel those negative feelings. Train yourself to immediately give them to God and let Him take over leading you forward on the path of life.

"The best response to losses or thwarted hops is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Remember that all good things --- your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time --- are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand! (Young 308)."

Psalm 139:23-24 (MSG)
Investigate my life, O God,

    find out everything about me;

Cross-examine and test me,

    get a clear picture of what I’m about;

See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—

    then guide me on the road to eternal life.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (MSG)

So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

Jesus Calling Oct 20th

He Reigns - Newsboys

God is more than alive and reigning! Humans become weak over time, we cannot stay fit and strong forever. That is why we must depend on Him for our strength. He is about to infuse energy into your body. He knows you need it. The closer you stay with Him the more your life will become filled with Him. Inside you will continue to grow stronger with Him. Outside you will continue aging, but do not fear, worry, or have angst. He is with you all the time. You will grow stronger than ever with Him inside of you! That will bring out the fount of youth in you helping you to stay young. Let His Light shine through you to others!

Psalm 139:14 (NLT)
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!

Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Colossians 1:29 (NLT)

That’s why I work and struggle so hard, 

depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.

1 John 1:6-7 (MSG)

If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.

Jesus Calling Oct 19th

Psalm 37:7 (NLT)

Be still in the Presence of the Lord,

and wait patiently for Him to act.

Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Take delight in the Lord,

and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Go to God with your heart and mind open, filled with His Presence. You do not have a thing about you He doesn't know, so you can hide nothing from Him. There is no other relationship like your's with Him. He is all knowing and mighty. He is above the world and all of your problems. Remember to be aware of your connection with Him and how He is blessing you. Remember to sit and enjoy His Presence and Light shining upon you filling you up. 

When the fall of man occurred with Adam and Eve that cause human nature to judge others and separate yourselves from them. By doing so you are not doing what God wishes. He wants us all to be one in the body of Christ. Yet we continue to cause all of these problems with other people. Many of us are full of negativity and stubborn hearts and minds because of the way we've been treated by others. Church can be one of the worst places about this too. Which is really just sad. Its sad that people from the streets see a church and see the people there dressed up and say Oh I can't go there because I am poor and I have no nice clothes. Or Oh I can't go there because I am this race. We shouldn't close people out in that way. And also within the church. There are so many cliques amongst parents and youth. And trust me, people (including myself) are so tired and fed up with that. The fact the churches are so chunked up in that fashion turns people away if they don't get connected. And even if they do get connected, many see the way those groups act and that makes them leave or not want to be there any longer. And those who have "power" in a church shouldn't take it for granted. Because you are no higher than anyone else, we are all children of God. You are no more powerful in His eyes. If He put you there it is to do His work in His Kingdom. Not to tear people to shreds or judge people or turn people away under the table. Its not how He created it. Sometimes people just go for the friends, thats not the purpose either. We are there for God. And to be ourselves. To be the person He created us to be! To fellowship in His name. We are there because it is a safe haven for some people from the outside world, but that is not what church has become. We should be able to walk into church a feel free of all judgements to just be happy in the name of Jesus. I'm so tired of the crap that goes on in churches, and God is too. Its not about church and the religion, its about Jesus y'all! Those of us who get it have to show the others how it works. Practice His Presence at church in the presence of others so they can see. Set the example for those that may be lost. The main purpose of being at church is so that we can worship as one, focusing on the Lord and His Majesty.

1 John 1:5-7 (MSG)

This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there’s not a trace of darkness in him. If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we’re obviously lying through our teeth—we’re not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purges all our sin.

Exodus 33:14 (MSG)

God said, “My presence will go with you. I’ll see the journey to the end.”

Philippians 4:8-9 (MSG)

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Jesus Calling Oct 18th

Remind Me Who I Am - Jason Gray

When you come to a road block, you can't just give up and you can't sit around stressing or worrying about how you're going to get past it. Don't focus on that. Focus on God. He is the one guiding you. He is your Shepherd who is leading you where you need to go. Trust Him with all your heart. Because if you focus on the negative and the road block, you're not going to make it anywhere but the wrong direction. If you keep your focus on Him, then before you know it you will be past what was holding you back before. And you will be moving right along the path He is leading you on. Its a wonderful gift that we've got to be thankful for!

"That is the secret of success in My kingdom. Although you remain aware of the visible world around you, your primary awareness is of Me. When the road before you looks rocky, you can trust Me to get you through that rough patch. My Presence enables you to face each day with confidence. (Young 305)"

Psalm 27:13-14 (MSG)

I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness

in the exuberant earth.

Stay with God!

Take heart. Don’t quit.

I’ll say it again:

Stay with God.

Psalm 103:2 (NLT)

Let all that I am praise theLord;

may I never forget the 

good things he does for me.

John 10:14-15 (NLT)

“I am the good shepherd; 

I know my own sheep, 

and they know me, 

just as my Father knows me 

and I know the Father. 

So I sacrifice my life for the sheep.

Isaiah 26:7 (NLT)

But for those who are righteous,

the way is not steep and rough.

You are a God who does what is right,

and you smooth out the path ahead of them.

Jesus Calling Oct 17th

Closer - Shawn McDonald

Let go of your worries. Stop being so negative. Both worrying and negativity cause more stress and tension and anxiety in your life than there needs to be. You are worrying about the future and what you are planning and what you think might happen. Stop with the "what ifs." Just stick with God. Really it will be alright. Keep communicating with him constantly about what is going on in your life. Telling Him your thoughts brings you closer to Him, and helps you to see things in a more positive outlook. You also have to listen and be alert for what He is trying to tell you as well. 

He knows you have to "make plans" for the future, He just doesn't want you to sit around and waste time worrying about them. Plan them and then step back. Don't keep harping to yourself about how it could go wrong or anything of the sort. Don't forget that He is always right beside you. He promises to always be there. He knows that it is difficult for us humans to control our minds and our thoughts. We as followers have to learn to reign our mind in. He is there to help us. We can dream on, but He is the one who is truly in control. His Presence is greater than anything you can dream or imagine, just lean on Him. Put a smile on your face. And go out into the world shining His light on others. Be Positive!

Luke 12:22-28 (MSG)

He continued this subject with his disciples. “Don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more. “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Ephesians 3:20-21 (MSG)

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.

Glory to God in the church!

Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!

Glory down all the generations!

Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Jesus Calling Oct 16th

Can't Get Over You - Anthem Lights

When you know you have a long and potentially stressful day ahead this is most important. Go to Him for the help and comfort you need. He has it all. He is always right beside you. Seek Him to connect with Him. And blessings will flow from Him to you. Keeping you on track and full of Joy. He loves wrapping His infinite arms around us, surrounding us with His Love and comfort. This allows us also to comfort others through Him. Multiplying the blessings He gives us. No one and nothing can steal this gift He has given you. Even in the worst of times of loss and stress, He will continue to comfort your heart, mind, and soul. He is always there waiting for you to call out to Him in need.

Psalm 34:4-6 (MSG)
God met me more than halfway,

he freed me from my anxious fears.

Look at him; give him your warmest smile.

Never hide your feelings from him.

When I was desperate, I called out,

and God got me out of a tight spot.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (MSG)

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too.

Should've Been Me - Citizen Way

Jesus Calling Oct 15th

Jesus promises to be with us all the time, every one of His followers. We need to remember that through each step of our day. He protects us with that promise. If you take your eyes off of Jesus, you are surely headed for a fall. He will help you find your  way back, but why take your eyes off of Him in the first place. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Do not let anyone or anything take His place, because they will lead you the wrong way. They are no equal, no where even close. So keep you eyes on Him the whole way.

Matthew 28:18-20 (MSG)

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes onJesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Jesus Calling Oct 14th

Mountain of God - Third Day

There are times you have to suffer in your life, no choice. It is part of God's plan for you. You have to hit rock bottom sometimes before you can stand on the mountain. Your suffering has a place in the kingdom of God. The rough times are challenges for you to put your trust in Him. Thanking Him for the good times and the bad. People will notice how you are reacting to tough situations, it will send a message to them. It is a way to reach out to others and show them God's light. He can bring good out of every situation. I've seen it happen many times. So you may say, well why is such and such happening to me then? Well, because 1. He knows you have the strength to overcome it with Him. Not everyone has the strength to go through every situation. He knows that you can make it through. 2. There is something He wants you to learn or get from whatever may be happening in your life. He doesn't make bad things happen, but He will help you out of them and help you learn something in the process. He loves you and would never want to hurt you. If something that seemed bad happened, it probably wasn't as bad as you think. It was (hopefully) His will being done. And if it wasn't, then pray for His will to be done in your life and the lives of others. He knew whatever it was would happen, and He knows how you are going to get out of it. It could have happened so that you have the opportunity to bring someone else to know God. Don't try to run away from your fears and problems, face them. You have God. He is the most powerful being ever and you have a relationship with Him, so what is there to be afraid of? Suffering brings you closer to God whether you realize it or not. And Joy will prevail in the end of every situation. His light will shine.

Romans 8:26-28 (MSG)

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

James 1:2-4 (MSG)

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

Psalm 107:17-22 (MSG)

Some of you were sick because you’d lived a bad life,

    your bodies feeling the effects of your sin;

You couldn’t stand the sight of food,

    so miserable you thought you’d be better off dead.

Then you called out to God in your desperate condition;

    he got you out in the nick of time.

He spoke the word that healed you,

    that pulled you back from the brink of death.

So thank God for his marvelous love,

    for his miracle mercy to the children he loves;

Offer thanksgiving sacrifices,

    tell the world what he’s done—sing it out!

Jesus Calling Oct 13th

God is always trying to bless us with His Peace. He knows we constantly need it. Sometimes we don't accept it and that does not please Him. When our stomach is in a knot and we are upset, that brings Him pain. Because He died on the cross, the death of a criminal, so that we may have Peace in every day and every struggle. To receive that, we are to sit in quiet and relax in His Presence. Breathe in deeply and you will begin to feel Him filling you up. If you keep that Peace inside you, in your heart, you will have it in times of need. So the things around you cannot harm or touch it. You are safe.

Numbers 6:25-26 (MSG)

God smile on you and gift you,

God look you full in the face

and make you prosper. 

Jesus Calling Oct 12th

Give Me Your Eyes - Brandon Heath

Sometimes we are afraid of being judged by other people. First of all, it only matters what God sees in you because He is your master. Besides you can't really even tell what people are thinking so it shouldn't matter anyways. Worrying about what they think instead of if you are are pleasing God is a waste of your energy. Really those people probably aren't evening paying attention to you. It is a form of idolatry, placing their opinions above God's. And even thinking that you are important enough for them to even being thinking about or judging you. Worrying about that takes your focus off of God and what He is guiding you to do. He is always looking upon you and His views are perfect, above those of sin. You know that by looking through His eyes you will see the love He surrounds you with. You are to gain rest and Peace through knowing that is how He looks at you and that is all that matters. Worship Him with your true self.

John 4:23-24 (MSG)

“It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselvesbefore him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.”

Can't Stop Singing - Seth Condrey

loveeee this song! heard it this past summer at BigStuf!

Jesus Calling Oct 11th

Today the devotion in Jesus Calling is so heart warming and you can truly feel the Presence of God in and through you when reading both the scripture and the passage that Sarah Young has written. I feel like it is such a powerful message that God is leading me to type it word for word for everyone to read. (I have cited the book below for copyright purposes.)
When I read this, well before I read it, I opened up myself in communication with God. I prayed. I thanked Him for my family, and for those friends important in my life, and those who have impacted me. I asked Him to help me open up my heart and mind to receive His word and Presence this morning. While I was reading it, I felt so overtaken by His Great Presence that I just didn't know what to do with myself. Before I read the scripture, I just sat here breathing deeply in and out to try to take in as much of His Presence as I could. I read the scriptures in The Message and I was even more filled with His Loving Presence; I could feel Him all around me, filling up my heart and mind with happy thoughts and love. His Love is so vast that I could not even imagine how much was surrounding me. 
Reading this made me think of how far I have come in my walk with Him. And how important it is to keep holding on.
I would like for you all to read this for yourself and feel God around you, filling you up. 

"I am the culmination of all your hopes and desires. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last: who is and was and is to come. Before you knew Me, you expressed your longing for Me in hurtful ways. You were ever so vulnerable to the evil around you in the world. But now My Presence safely shields you, enfolding you in My loving arms. I have lifted you out of darkness into My marvelous Light.
Though I have brought many pleasures into your life, not one of them is essential. Receive My blessings with open hands. Enjoy My good figts, but do not cling to them. Turn your attention to the Giver of all good things, and rest in the knowledge that you are complete in Me. The one thing you absolutely need is the one thing you can never lose: My Presence with you", (Young 298).

Psalm 62:5-8 (MSG)
God, the one and only—
    I’ll wait as long as he says.
Everything I hope for comes from him,
    so why not?
He’s solid rock under my feet,
    breathing room for my soul,
An impregnable castle:
    I’m set for life.
My help and glory are in God
    —granite-strength and safe-harbor-God—
So trust him absolutely, people;
    lay your lives on the line for him.
    God is a safe place to be.

Revelation 1:8 (MSG)
The Master declares, “I’m A to Z. I’m The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I’m the Sovereign-Strong.”

1 Peter 2:9-10 (MSG)
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

James 1:16-18 (MSG)
So, my very dear friends, don’t get thrown off course. Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.

Young, Sarah. Jesus Calling. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004. Print.

You Love Me Anyway - Sidewalk Prophets

Jesus Calling Oct 10th

Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets
Trust. He is in control. Let Him take the reigns of your life. Don't try to do it yourself, you are to weak to stand on your own. Refresh yourself in His Love and Presence. You think to much ahead, sit back, relax, and just go for the ride. Stop stressing and worrying over your plans for later today or tomorrow. Stop practicing what you are going to say when so and so comes to you or such and such happens. Just stop and breathe. Don't get caught up in the words and forget to see the wonder that He has created all around you. It is a sin, small and often overlooked, to try to make it without His hand guiding you and to try to make your own plans and execute them. 

Live in the Moment! That is the best way to live life! That is what He wants us to do! And trust me, its the best way to live! Its worry and stress free! Its so amazing! Just let Him take care of everything, trust Him in every situation, good and bad. 

Enjoy life! Live Life to the Fullest! Live in the Moment!

Psalm 37:3-6 (MSG)

Get insurance with God and do a good deed,

    settle down and stick to your last.

Keep company with God,

    get in on the best.

Open up before God, keep nothing back;

    he’ll do whatever needs to be done:

He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day

    and stamp you with approval at high noon.

Philippians 4:19 (MSG)

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.