He Is Our Strength

Proverbs 3:5 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

and he will show you which path to take.

This morning was perhaps a small turning point for me, I don't know. But I felt God's Presence so powerfully this morning and the devotions I read were just terrific and spot on!

I've been weak in that I've not been having my normal quiet time on a regular basis, sometimes I just read the devotions right quick and run. I just got off a little while back, and has been just irregular. And looking back I can see somewhat of a difference in those days. Little things that could have and would have been better or different had I spent my quiet time with God that morning. 

I know that God was still there by my side everyday, but sometimes I just didn't think much about it, I just went about my day.

Deuteronomy 33:27 NLT

The eternal God is your refuge,

    and his everlasting arms are under you.

He drives out the enemy before you;

    he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’

Even when you fall into the deepest darkest black holes, the weakest points in your life, God is still with you. He is always there. We just sometimes fail to see or remember that because we are so consumed in our circumstances. He is our strength always. When we are weak He is our strength. When we think we are strong and on a good roll, He is still our strength providing for us. We cannot let Satan take us over when we fall down into horrible places in our lives. Satan will make it seem darker and darker. But we have access to God's Light. Read His Word. Let the Scripture fill you up and reassure you. We have to trust in Him, especially during the rough times. Believe in Him. Hold onto His Strength. Surround yourself with godly people who know and believe strongly so that they can also help guide you. He has planned out your day before you even wake up in the morning. Every day holds much to learn and chances to grow with Him. Use your faith to fight. Rest your soul in His hands, for He is your ultimate source of life and strength.

Jeremiah 29:13-14 NLT

If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”

Wait Patiently

I know that being patient, especially during tough and unknown times, can be really difficult. And I know that its hard to put the lives of loved ones, or your reputation in the hands of another person, but why not put it in the hands of God? What is holding you back from trusting God with it? 

I also know that sometimes it seems like it is taking forever for something to happen or get better, but God's time is totally the best. It is perfect! If you've ever experienced a great God moment, you know how awesome that is and God's perfect timing on those things. Or just hearing the right song at the right time. Or hearing the right sermon at the time you need it most. Therefore, we have to wait patiently on God. Trying to figure things out on your own or taking things into your own hands does not get you anywhere. 

Lamentations 3:24-26 NLT

I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;

    therefore, I will hope in him!”

The Lord is good to those who depend on him,

    to those who search for him.

So it is good to wait quietly

    for salvation from the Lord.

Isaiah 30:41 NLT

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.

    They will soar high on wings like eagles.

They will run and not grow weary.

    They will walk and not faint.

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.

Trust Trust Trust

Psalm 36:7-9 NLT

How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter

    in the shadow of your wings.You feed them from the abundance of your own house,

    letting them drink from your river of delights.

For you are the fountain of life,

    the light by which we see.

God is so big and so great. He is so much more than we will ever be able to comprehend. I mean really, just sit and think to yourself about how big you think your home town is, then think about how big your state is, then think about how big the country is, then think about how huge the earth is, then think about how ginormous you think the universe is. GOD IS INFINITELY BIGGER THAN THAT!! Now compare that to the problems/struggles you have in your life right now. 

James 4:14 NLT

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like        the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.

We cannot sit around and worry about our problems. They are so small compared to God and how awesome and great He is. And if He is so much bigger than us, then why do we struggle so much to fully trust Him with our worries in life? I would have to say it is just because of our insecurities. Not insecurities necessarily in this world, but just because we don't know what is going to happen. But I promise you, no matter how big or how small something is in your life, giving it entirely to God is the best decision you can make. 

The more we trust Him the more He reveals of Himself. The more He answers prayers. The more He shapes us. The more we give to Him of us, the more He blesses and renews us. 

The trust you put in Him is just so incredibly important on the direction and path your life takes.

March 21, 2013

I have gotten into a short term habit here not blogging everyday. I got really busy with the week before Spring Break, then I was lazy over Spring Break, and now here I am.

Blogging is an interesting thing, I mean how it works. Well for me anyways.

It's neat really. (And I've been slacking.)

What it does for me:

In the mornings I read my devotion, well devotions. I started reading Jesus Calling along with Abundant Life shortly after the year started. I sorta just realized that even though I love Abundant Life and it has been great, I just have to read Jesus Calling. It always comes around on the days I need it most. Its just totally the most amazing things how it just always relates.

Abundant Life does the same thing in a different kind of way. It often covers more topics of daily things we should practice in our faith. But Jesus Calling just doesn't get old, even though it is always talking primarily about trusting during the rough times.

Anyways, I read my devotions in the morning and pray and sit in silence. I wake up early to do that. And it has been one of the best changes I've made in my lifestyle. Sure, I still have sucky days. But I have learned to rise back up from them much quicker than I used to could do. 

After I read the devotions it helps me best to process it by writing about it. I know I'm not much of a writer or anything. I don't really like writing a whole lot, but writing helps me to connect with what I've read. A lot of days God leads me stronger in what I write than others. Sometimes I write and don't post in on my blog. I write for me about more personal things, situations, struggles, etc. When I just start writing a stream of consciousness kind of deal, it helps me to better see my thoughts and think through things. I don't know about you, but I'm a pretty poor multitasker (well technically according to some research I read about, pretty much no one can actually multitask and we are all much worse at it than we think we are.) Anyways, I have a hard time organizing my thoughts in my head and I easily lose things up there in my noggin'. So writing and blogging just really help me to process things.

And I guess that has become part of my time with God, blogging that is. And when I don't I find myself more lost than when I do. 

The Jesus Calling devotion today was just another reminder for me. God is always giving me reminders. Its pretty cool really. Different people connect with God in different ways. Me? I connect with God through other people and through just little things throughout my day. I just see God. Even when I'm not looking for Him I see Him in someone's smile or someone's kind words or in the weather and environment. God is just there and I know it. 

I'm not always good about talking directly about my faith to someone, I have to process and be prepared. I guess that is a bit of a weakness in a way. I struggle to just jump in and share things right off the bat. But I do not however struggle with showing God through my actions and interactions. I mean sometimes I fail when I'm not in good mood or just not me. (I wasn't saying I'm perfect at that, because I am totally not even close.) Just saying I think about it and sometimes I don't think about it. But I always say thank you when someone holds the door (even if they have headphones in and can't hear me.) I always say "Thank you! Have a great day!" at the checkout register and smile. I always smile at random people when they happen to look at me in passing. (I'm not bragging in anyway, just giving examples.)

That is how I live the happiest days. With God and for God and exhibiting God. Just being myself and who God made me to be.

I'm not really sure how I got to rambling, but today's Jesus Calling was just a really great reminder that everything is going to be okay no matter what. I just cannot stress enough how important it is to continue to trust Him. Praise Him in all situations. He is our strength. Without Him we are nothing.  

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord

    and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

They are like trees planted along a riverbank,

    with roots that reach deep into the water.

Such trees are not bothered by the heat

    or worried by long months of drought.

Their leaves stay green,

    and they never stop producing fruit.

Isaiah 12:2-3 NLT

See, God has come to save me.

    I will trust in him and not be afraid.

The Lord God is my strength and my song;

    he has given me victory.”

With joy you will drink deeply

    from the fountain of salvation!

Psalm 21:6 NLT

You have endowed him with eternal blessings

    and given him the joy of your presence.

I heard this song (Praise You in This Storm) on my way back to school this morning. And I noticed in the chorus it says "And every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand" Assuming many of us have cried many tears, the fact that hand is singular just reminds me how big and great God is and that He is never going to leave my side.


And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Reminders

God is constantly trying to remind us of His Presence in our lives, His love for us, and to spend time with Him. 

Zephaniah 3:17 NLT 

For the Lord your God is living among you.

    He is a mighty savior.

He will take delight in you with gladness.

    With his love, he will calm all your fears.

    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Lately I've not been as punctual, or perhaps that word is too constricting, um diligent in doing my quiet time every morning with God. Some days I find myself just reading both devotions and moving on, praying randomly throughout the day. That isn't my so called "norm." I want to get back to doing what I do best with every morning. I want to read the devotions every morning, pray, sit in silence, blog if I feel God lead me, read my Bible sometime in the afternoon. That is what I can do to make my day the best it can be, aside from staying positive as much as I can. And lately I've failed to do these things in my "normal" way. Even though I've had some pretty good days, they could have been better had I stayed super connected with God. I guess I've just sort of been drifting, not in the sense of drifting away, just sorta floatin' along. 

Today in both Abundant Life and Jesus Calling, God reminded me that He is always loving me no matter where I am at in my walk, whether I've fallen down or am sky high. He reminded me that it isn't about being "punctual," it is more about just living, and living with Him. A lot of the time we are more concerned with getting things done and staying on a schedule, and that isn't what is important. And we should not hold schedules to such a high place in our life. I am not saying that it is okay to be late everywhere you go, but getting stressed over sticking to a schedule also causes you to stress and get upset over little things. And by all that I am just saying that many of us miss out on important things and opportunities with God that are right in our face. We miss them because we are too focused on schedules, getting things done, and always working. We don't ever just chill out and go with the flow. If more people just relaxed and went with the flow a little more, then there would be a lot less stress in the world. Little kids are the best example of how we should live. They see the beauty in the little things that God provides. They notice things adults don't. Let God handle things. He loves you. Trust Him. Find your happiness in God. Live like a kid.

Jesus Calling March 9th Rest in Him

I hate using school as an excuse to not write on my blog, but I have been so incredibly busy lately that I've barely had time to just sit down and breathe. 

This devotion in "Jesus Calling" is so perfect for today, the first day of spring break! It's all about rest and satisfaction. We are to seek that in God and not worldly pleasures or things. This past week for me the world seemed to be spinning so fast that I could not take it. But every time I made time for God I felt relieved of my responsibilities. I just didn't feel the rush to get things done. I just slowed down. God reminded me that I am to turn to Him and put Him at the center of my life all the time, especially when I am super busy.

Galatians 5:22 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

1 John 4:12 NLT

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Jesus Calling March 5th

"Jesus Calling" will always be such a huge important part of my life. It was just the biggest turning point for me in my life, I mean aside from giving my life to Christ. "Jesus Calling" brought me back to Christ after a valley in my life. 

Each day's devotion never fails to mean something for each day that I go through. Today's was especially meaningful. 

Romans 8:28 NLT

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

1 Corinthians 1:23-24 NLT

So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Every day we have to make thousands of choices, even though we don't realize it. A lot of them are choices that we just make without thinking because they are natural reactions. 

Many days we face struggles, problems, etc. God can help you with those, He can fix them, He can make things all better, but part of it is for us to place our full trust in Him. We cannot just expect to snap our fingers and God fix everything. That wouldn't do anyone any good. It wouldn't get us anywhere in life. We have to discipline ourselves to learn that if we place our trust in God, He will bless us even more. Blessings come from problems. We learn from our problems and mistakes, so that we may prosper in the future.

Comfort Others

2 Corinthians 1:4

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Wow. What a powerful verse. God is leading us to help others. 

We have struggled and we are struggling people. He wants us to use our past struggles to help comfort those who are struggling now. He wants us to "channel" that comfort to them so they know that it is God reaching out. He wants us to tell our stories showing them that God has been faithful always so that they will gain that sense of hope. Whether it is coping with the loss of a loved one or struggling with a family member/friend who is sick now. God wants us who understand the concept of struggle to be the first to reach out to those people. The first one to give them a phone call when something happens. The first to be at their door with a hot meal. The first to give them a great hug and tell them it is going to be okay because God is present. 

We are the people of God, we are called to help those in need and those in times of trouble. He loves us no matter what.

Time

Wow, it's hard to believe we are already starting the third month of 2013. Time seems to just be flying at this point. Are you ever afraid you will blink and "time" will just be over? I know it's a slightly depressing thought, but sometimes I think, "wow, that went by quick. If I am not careful my whole life will go by before I know it. And what will I have left? God. But aside from that, what will I have done with my life?" I sometimes forget to live in the moment and live life to the fullest. If we don't live life to the fullest right now, we might not get another chance. I think about how time seems to be going so quick and sometimes think if it's going this quick, I'll be out in the real world in no time. Sometimes we get wrapped up in the little things and work and jobs and "important" stuff. We forget to spend maximum time with those who are most important to us. We forget to stop and breathe in and enjoy the beauty around us that God created. 

I want to live with no regrets. I want every moment of my life to mean something. When I see opportunities of awesomeness that God puts in front of me, I want to take them. I don't want to miss out on anything. I want to live up God's plan for me. I don't want to get bogged down by past mistakes, I want to be thankful for the renewed life He gave me and live it! 

I want to let Him shape me into who He wants me to be! I want to let Him be the potter and me be the clay! I want Him to be in me in everything that I do! I want to be as much like Jesus as I can be! I want to be His beautiful masterpiece!

Don't you? What's holding you back?

Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Isaiah 45:9 NLT

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.

    Does a clay pot argue with its maker?

Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,

    ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’

Does the pot exclaim,

    ‘How clumsy can you be?’