Are you ready for a change in your life? Have you become disconnected from your own life? Do you sit and wonder why it seems your prayers are falling on shallow ground? Perhaps you need to go back to the basics. One of my favorite gospel songs is "Take Me Back". The lyrics of the song simply say, 'Take me back. Take me back dear Lord, to the place where I first received you. Take me back. Take me back dear Lord where I first believed'.
You remember that time when you first felt the presence of God in your life. Maybe it was sitting in church one Sunday. Maybe it was driving in your car or sitting in your living room. Wherever it was, you felt God's presence and for the next few days, weeks or months, you were on fire for the Lord. You read your Word every day. You had a regular prayer life. You couldn't get enough of that feeling. It made you feel good. But for some reason that feeling didn't last forever. Pretty soon it was back to your regular routine. Going to work, getting the kids ready for school, caring for your loved one, after school sports, working out, etc. All these things that take up so much of our time. Who has time to spend with God? When I get home I'm so tired. This past Sunday my Pastor reminded me of a very simple fact. Actually it was confirmation of what the Holy Spirit had spoken to my spirit earlier that week. While so many of us are searching for new solutions to old problems, the Bible is still true. II Chronicles 7:14 says, 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land'. It's time to go back to the basics.
Over and over in the Bible you read about individuals and groups alike who got down on their knees and prayed. It didn't matter what the situation was or how difficult it may seem to the human eye, faith in God prevailed. When their leader needed support they fasted as a unified body. When the nation needing a change in direction, the people got together and prayed. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, prayer was a tool that gave the Saint direct access to God. So why is it the most neglected part of the believer's life. I can't speak for you but I can speak for myself. When I want immediate results to my problem, prayer sometimes seems like a waste of time. I need to be doing something. But it's not always about finding a new solution. I remember seeing my mother and father pray. I remember seeing my mom and her prayer partners pray....weekly. I remember when our entire family fasted for a week, more than once. I remember when the church I grew up in participated in a fast. During this time there was a deeper dive into the Word of God. It was a time of confession and repentance. Prayer was made daily and sometimes three times a day as David prayed. (Psalm 55:17) David, too, was busy but yet he found a peace like no other when he prayed. He found a joy simply in knowing that God was there listening to his every word. That is what it is about. God wants and needs to be our number one focus. Nothing should come before God. The more you read the Word, the more change you will see. The situation may not change but I am witness that you will change. Satan may try to sneak negative thoughts in your mind but you have mastered the art of 'praying without ceasing' and have noticed the results. If you are at a point were your life seems stagnant, I challenge you to go back.....back to the basics. Prayer, fasting and reading the Word of God. Oh what a difference it will make in your life!
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Please forgive me Lord for I have strayed away from the outline You set before me. Too often I have looked for solutions that didn't include you and I am sorry. Today I am making a promise that I am going back to the basics. I am going to spend time nurturing my relationship with You. I realize, more than ever, that I need You. I can't make it without You. Thank you Father for remaining faithful even when I was not faithful. I will continue to give You all the glory, honor and the praise. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Preparation
There is something so powerful about standing in faith, knowing that God's got a blessing with my name on it. What's even more powerful is knowing that God has been and is preparing me for my blessing. Everything that I have been through and will go through in life has a purpose. There are some prayers that were not answered in the way I would have liked but it was all part of my preparation process. God was shaping me, molding me, refining me so that I am more like Him with a distinct purpose of Him being glorified. No one could go through it for me. Each and every incident, good and bad, has made me who I am. I have come to the conclusion that there are some blessings I would have mishandled if God had given them to me too soon. So I am glad that the God I serve knows what is best for me.
It is so easy to get discouraged when it seems that everything is going wrong all around you. You step out in one direction thinking that you are on your way to finally fulfilling your destiny only to find yourself three-quarters of the way there and hit a roadblock. Have you ever been there? To be so close to your dream only to have it taken away at the hands of man. Or was it? As a Christian the word FAITH has been ingrained in your brain and hopefully in your heart. But it is only during these moments that your faith is tested and you find out what you are really made of. Another important part of faith is learning is to control your thought process. It is very important that you monitor what you take in. You must learn to put a quick halt to the negative thoughts that suddenly appear in your mind. Your Righteous Mind...in the words of Donald Lawrence. There is so much truth in the Word when it instructs the Saint to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:8) Satan wants nothing more than to control your mind. To make us think that God has somehow forgotten about us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you know how much God thinks about you? So much so that even before you were conceived, He began preparations for you with blessings that had your name on it. That is why you don't have to worry about what man can do to you. God is still on the throne, which means He controls all things.
That's good news y'all. And all He requires of you is obedience and faith. He doesn't even require a supersize portion of faith. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed. And let me leave you with one other tidbit of information. I can't take credit for it. Pastor Douglas said it and I just had to share. 'How you take care of the blessings you already have determines the magnitude of your future blessings'. Think about that for a minute. How much time do you spend wishing you had a better house, a bigger car, a better job, a different spouse, and on and on and on? Not only that ask yourself if you have been a good steward of the blessings God has given you? Maybe you think that it should finally be your turn. You are tired of seeing those around you being blessed. I challenge you to have a change of heart. Instead of complaining start thanking God that He cares enough about you to prepare you first for the blessings He has in store for you and then also ask Him too help you to be a better steward of the blessings He has already given you.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I just want to say thank you for each and every blessing You have bestowed upon my life. For my family, my job, my house, my church. Lord please forgive me because I haven't always seemed grateful. But Lord I am grateful. I know that it didn't have to be so. I know that I could spend the rest of my life thanking You for everything You have done. That's why I praise You. You've been just that good to me. Help me never to forget that without You I am nothing and that everything I have comes from You. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
It is so easy to get discouraged when it seems that everything is going wrong all around you. You step out in one direction thinking that you are on your way to finally fulfilling your destiny only to find yourself three-quarters of the way there and hit a roadblock. Have you ever been there? To be so close to your dream only to have it taken away at the hands of man. Or was it? As a Christian the word FAITH has been ingrained in your brain and hopefully in your heart. But it is only during these moments that your faith is tested and you find out what you are really made of. Another important part of faith is learning is to control your thought process. It is very important that you monitor what you take in. You must learn to put a quick halt to the negative thoughts that suddenly appear in your mind. Your Righteous Mind...in the words of Donald Lawrence. There is so much truth in the Word when it instructs the Saint to think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Phil. 4:8) Satan wants nothing more than to control your mind. To make us think that God has somehow forgotten about us. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Do you know how much God thinks about you? So much so that even before you were conceived, He began preparations for you with blessings that had your name on it. That is why you don't have to worry about what man can do to you. God is still on the throne, which means He controls all things.
That's good news y'all. And all He requires of you is obedience and faith. He doesn't even require a supersize portion of faith. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed. And let me leave you with one other tidbit of information. I can't take credit for it. Pastor Douglas said it and I just had to share. 'How you take care of the blessings you already have determines the magnitude of your future blessings'. Think about that for a minute. How much time do you spend wishing you had a better house, a bigger car, a better job, a different spouse, and on and on and on? Not only that ask yourself if you have been a good steward of the blessings God has given you? Maybe you think that it should finally be your turn. You are tired of seeing those around you being blessed. I challenge you to have a change of heart. Instead of complaining start thanking God that He cares enough about you to prepare you first for the blessings He has in store for you and then also ask Him too help you to be a better steward of the blessings He has already given you.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I just want to say thank you for each and every blessing You have bestowed upon my life. For my family, my job, my house, my church. Lord please forgive me because I haven't always seemed grateful. But Lord I am grateful. I know that it didn't have to be so. I know that I could spend the rest of my life thanking You for everything You have done. That's why I praise You. You've been just that good to me. Help me never to forget that without You I am nothing and that everything I have comes from You. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Limited Vision
God has a way of showing you that He is in control. Unfortunately for me, I find this out after spending hours, even days, trying to figure something out on my own. I can only imagine how many times He sits in heaven saying, "Will my child ever get it?" Today's roller coaster ride was a prime example. Riding home today after visiting my nephew in the hospital after having emergency surgery I couldn't help but give God praise. Listening to my sister tell me how they visited the ER in Detroit only to be told one thing by the doctor, driving home to Oklahoma City fifteen hours, straight to the emergency room and my nephew being taken into emergency surgery. I immediately thought about how God protects us from dangers seen and unseen. How He drove their car and the cars around them to get them home safely. If they had known this was going to occur, as parents, they would have done everything they could to prevent the situation. However, the limited vision they had could only see so far. Only God knew what would happen and He had the situation under control.
I know how in times of stress it is easy to become so wrapped up in trying to figure out your next move. Rumors at the job about layoffs so what do you do, we start putting our feelers out there. You update your resume. Husband having an affair, you start to make put back a little cash to get your own place. Wife seeming a little distant, you start trying to figure out what to do to bring her back in. Your entire life has been act first, prayer later. Somewhere in your mind you feel that you are helping God out. Well you're not. The God you serve, El Roi, is the God who sees. He see your when the layoff is going to come and if you are going to be affected by it. He sees your marital problems, your financial crisis, your children misbehaving and your very serious health issues. He sees it all. Of course you may be sitting there saying to yourself, "Okay He sees but my situation is still what it is." I can say this because I has this very same conversation with God while riding in my car. You know, one of those "Okay God, now what? Nothing is changing. I am at my wits end. Nothing I seem to be doing is working. I give up." And God says , "Alright my child, now I can go to work." Even though my prayer was a very frustrated prayer, I acknowledged my inability to change my situation. I let God know that I could not see past what was in front of me. I relinquished control. That's all He was waiting on me to do. You see, it is where I end that God begins. I allowed my prayer to activate my faith. I gave up trying to drive in the dark. I decided to let God be God. I was reminded that through this situation, like so many others, God was right there with me. He is there in those awful situations where you cry silently while lying in bed, He hears the scream you let out while riding alone in your car. He sees the anguish in your face. He wants to call out to you...'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God;. (Psalm 43:5) He is the same God Isaiah talked about when he said, 'He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength'. (Isaiah 40:29)
There is no reason to worry. There is, however, a reason to trust God. Take your burdens to God and leave them with Him. Praise Him in the midst of your suffering. I know that you cannot see past today but I challenge you to prayer about and have faith. Believe that God can see exactly what you need and He is not a stingy God. He is still performing miracles, in His own time and in His own way. Believe it! Expect it! Receive it!
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
How long will this storm go on? I was doing pretty good for a while, trusting You. But now my faith is weak and I'm calling on You for help. Help me focus my attention on You and not the situation. I know my vision is limited. I thank God that even though I can't see past today, You see my future and I know that it is in good hands. So I trust You Lord. I am taking my hands off the steering wheel and giving complete control over to You. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
I know how in times of stress it is easy to become so wrapped up in trying to figure out your next move. Rumors at the job about layoffs so what do you do, we start putting our feelers out there. You update your resume. Husband having an affair, you start to make put back a little cash to get your own place. Wife seeming a little distant, you start trying to figure out what to do to bring her back in. Your entire life has been act first, prayer later. Somewhere in your mind you feel that you are helping God out. Well you're not. The God you serve, El Roi, is the God who sees. He see your when the layoff is going to come and if you are going to be affected by it. He sees your marital problems, your financial crisis, your children misbehaving and your very serious health issues. He sees it all. Of course you may be sitting there saying to yourself, "Okay He sees but my situation is still what it is." I can say this because I has this very same conversation with God while riding in my car. You know, one of those "Okay God, now what? Nothing is changing. I am at my wits end. Nothing I seem to be doing is working. I give up." And God says , "Alright my child, now I can go to work." Even though my prayer was a very frustrated prayer, I acknowledged my inability to change my situation. I let God know that I could not see past what was in front of me. I relinquished control. That's all He was waiting on me to do. You see, it is where I end that God begins. I allowed my prayer to activate my faith. I gave up trying to drive in the dark. I decided to let God be God. I was reminded that through this situation, like so many others, God was right there with me. He is there in those awful situations where you cry silently while lying in bed, He hears the scream you let out while riding alone in your car. He sees the anguish in your face. He wants to call out to you...'Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God;. (Psalm 43:5) He is the same God Isaiah talked about when he said, 'He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might, he increaseth strength'. (Isaiah 40:29)
There is no reason to worry. There is, however, a reason to trust God. Take your burdens to God and leave them with Him. Praise Him in the midst of your suffering. I know that you cannot see past today but I challenge you to prayer about and have faith. Believe that God can see exactly what you need and He is not a stingy God. He is still performing miracles, in His own time and in His own way. Believe it! Expect it! Receive it!
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
How long will this storm go on? I was doing pretty good for a while, trusting You. But now my faith is weak and I'm calling on You for help. Help me focus my attention on You and not the situation. I know my vision is limited. I thank God that even though I can't see past today, You see my future and I know that it is in good hands. So I trust You Lord. I am taking my hands off the steering wheel and giving complete control over to You. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Move...Get out the Way
Lesson for the day: Ramona, get out of your own way. Just because I am a bit discouraged by what I see in front of me right now, wondering how am I going to get out of this situation, does not mean that God has stopped being God. He is still able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or think according to the power that worketh in me. So let me say it again - Ramona, get out of your own way! You know what I have learned over time...if God has blocked something from happening than I should be grateful. Even if it was something I really wanted, I must trust that He knows what's best for me. I should not let my desire to control the outcome of my life stop me from praising God. 'He knows the way that I take...' (Job 23:10)
One of the hardest things to do sometimes is to keep your faith during trying times. It is especially hard for people like me. I am a "Doer". If I see something that needs to be done and it is not being done, I take it upon myself to make it happen. I don't like to wait around. This hurts me sometime in my walk with God. I see how close I am to achieving my goal when all of a sudden something happens to halt my progress. Or what about when everything seems to be going smooth, spouse acting right, children behaving, working on your dream job, finances in order. Things are just awesome. And then something out of the ordinary happens. One step forward, two steps back. It hurts. It is during those times that I become my own worse enemy. It is my job to fix things. Here lately I have figured out that one of the best things I can do is 'absolutely nothing'. Let God be God! I was reading in the book of Job, amazed by the faith he displayed in what had to be the most trying time of his life. They reminded me that 'my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness'. Consistency is key during trying times. Either I have willingly relinquished control over to God or I am going to keep trying to run my life. Either I trust that God knows what is best for me or I am going to have some very tough lessons ahead of me where God has to teach me about total dependence on Him. The bottom line is that my vision is limited. I can only see so far ahead. That is why I must fix my eyes on Jesus. I must allow Him to be my guide. I must hide His Word in my heart so that I won't sin against Him. I must be patient and allow Him to complete the work He has started in me.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I need Your help. Submission is not my strongest suit. Right now I am struggling with control. In my mind I know that You know what is best for me. Help me to know that in my heart. I need to get out of my own way and let You be God. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
One of the hardest things to do sometimes is to keep your faith during trying times. It is especially hard for people like me. I am a "Doer". If I see something that needs to be done and it is not being done, I take it upon myself to make it happen. I don't like to wait around. This hurts me sometime in my walk with God. I see how close I am to achieving my goal when all of a sudden something happens to halt my progress. Or what about when everything seems to be going smooth, spouse acting right, children behaving, working on your dream job, finances in order. Things are just awesome. And then something out of the ordinary happens. One step forward, two steps back. It hurts. It is during those times that I become my own worse enemy. It is my job to fix things. Here lately I have figured out that one of the best things I can do is 'absolutely nothing'. Let God be God! I was reading in the book of Job, amazed by the faith he displayed in what had to be the most trying time of his life. They reminded me that 'my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness'. Consistency is key during trying times. Either I have willingly relinquished control over to God or I am going to keep trying to run my life. Either I trust that God knows what is best for me or I am going to have some very tough lessons ahead of me where God has to teach me about total dependence on Him. The bottom line is that my vision is limited. I can only see so far ahead. That is why I must fix my eyes on Jesus. I must allow Him to be my guide. I must hide His Word in my heart so that I won't sin against Him. I must be patient and allow Him to complete the work He has started in me.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I need Your help. Submission is not my strongest suit. Right now I am struggling with control. In my mind I know that You know what is best for me. Help me to know that in my heart. I need to get out of my own way and let You be God. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A Diamond in the Rough
Some days I just want to throw my hands up and give up. I know that there is a purpose behind the pain I have had to endure in my light. But how much disappointment can I take? And just when I think that I can't stand anymore I open the word. First I read the story of Joseph. You know Joseph...sold into slavery by his family. Subjected by Potiphar's wife and thrown into jail for doing the right things. Pressure upon pressure upon pressure. I can only imagine how many times he wanted to throw his hands up and say "Forget it, I give up!" As I sat there and read the story looking for some ray of hope I happened to glance down at my wedding ring. The diamond seemed to be shining extremely bright at this very moment. Almost instantly, I thought about how at one point the diamond that was set so beautifully in my wedding ring was once a piece of coal.
Let's explore how diamonds are created. I did a little research and discovered that diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle. And this isn't just light pressure. The pressure endured to produce a diamond is at least 435,113 pounds per square inch at a temperature of at least 752 degrees Fahrenheit (400 Celsius). There is no other way for this precious jewel to be formed except to undergo pressure. In fact if the pressure or the temperature falls below these two points, only graphite will be produced. So pressure is necessary. And in the same way that pressure must be applied in order for the diamond to be formed. In fact the word "Diamond" comes from the Greek word "Adamas", which means indestructible.
What does this mean for me? It means that I can rejoice in my trials and tribulations. Why? Because God is controlling heat and the pressure. He know better than me what flaws I have and what I need in order to live a life that is dedicated to serving Him. Even though I may think that I have endured enough, God sees things differently. He has the ability to see further down the road. And for this I am grateful. Like Joseph I may not understand why I have to go through the things that I am going through right. Why every time I seem to have a little bit of breathing room something comes along to try and break me down. One verse has helped me stand during times of extreme pressure. This verse gives clear instructions on what I should do when faced with varying tests and trials. This verse clearly states, 'Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 As a Christian I have every reason to rejoice. I can rejoice in the hope I have in future glory. And even more importantly I can never stop praying. It's about having a spirit of prayer. David prayed seven times a day and Daniel was known to pray three times a day. Sometimes I barely make time to pray once. This has to change. I must be consistent in my prayer life. It is in my devotion time that God is able to speak to me and provide me with a peace that surpasses all my understanding. It is in this time that I am reminded that I am simply a diamond in the rough. What you see before you is not the finished product. Yes, I have flaws but God is at work and when He has tried me, I will come forth as pure gold.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come before You as humbly as I know how asking for forgiveness. Right now I don't understand what is going on in my life right now. I seem to be on a roller coaster of emotions, filled with ups and downs. I haven't done the best job of STANDING in the midst of pressure. I know that You won't put more on me than I can bear. So today I am asking for strength. Help me not to be a complainer but instead a rejoicer. Lord I put all my trust in You. I know that You will never let me down. Thank you Father. I will forever give you all the glory, honor and the praise. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Let's explore how diamonds are created. I did a little research and discovered that diamonds are formed at high-pressure high-temperature conditions existing at depths of 140 to 190 kilometers in the Earth's mantle. And this isn't just light pressure. The pressure endured to produce a diamond is at least 435,113 pounds per square inch at a temperature of at least 752 degrees Fahrenheit (400 Celsius). There is no other way for this precious jewel to be formed except to undergo pressure. In fact if the pressure or the temperature falls below these two points, only graphite will be produced. So pressure is necessary. And in the same way that pressure must be applied in order for the diamond to be formed. In fact the word "Diamond" comes from the Greek word "Adamas", which means indestructible.
What does this mean for me? It means that I can rejoice in my trials and tribulations. Why? Because God is controlling heat and the pressure. He know better than me what flaws I have and what I need in order to live a life that is dedicated to serving Him. Even though I may think that I have endured enough, God sees things differently. He has the ability to see further down the road. And for this I am grateful. Like Joseph I may not understand why I have to go through the things that I am going through right. Why every time I seem to have a little bit of breathing room something comes along to try and break me down. One verse has helped me stand during times of extreme pressure. This verse gives clear instructions on what I should do when faced with varying tests and trials. This verse clearly states, 'Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12 As a Christian I have every reason to rejoice. I can rejoice in the hope I have in future glory. And even more importantly I can never stop praying. It's about having a spirit of prayer. David prayed seven times a day and Daniel was known to pray three times a day. Sometimes I barely make time to pray once. This has to change. I must be consistent in my prayer life. It is in my devotion time that God is able to speak to me and provide me with a peace that surpasses all my understanding. It is in this time that I am reminded that I am simply a diamond in the rough. What you see before you is not the finished product. Yes, I have flaws but God is at work and when He has tried me, I will come forth as pure gold.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I come before You as humbly as I know how asking for forgiveness. Right now I don't understand what is going on in my life right now. I seem to be on a roller coaster of emotions, filled with ups and downs. I haven't done the best job of STANDING in the midst of pressure. I know that You won't put more on me than I can bear. So today I am asking for strength. Help me not to be a complainer but instead a rejoicer. Lord I put all my trust in You. I know that You will never let me down. Thank you Father. I will forever give you all the glory, honor and the praise. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Just Have Faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
I read something today in my Sunday School commentary that said that 'faith becomes a necessity when matters are beyond one's control'. That would mean that faith is always a necessity. Why? Because as a child of God I don't control anything. My life is in His hands. It is often during those times when I attempt to regain control that I find myself messing things up, sometimes even worse than they already were. Faith must not only be expected but it must be exercised also. How do we exercise our faith? By believing in God and His ability to meet our need even when everything around us points to the contrary. You see, faith gives reality, substance, existence to the very things that on the surface seem impossible. When people say I can't, God says I can. It is during these moments that I stand in faith and allow God to meet me where my limited abilities end to make up the difference so that I can achieve the impossible.
In my life I've been told that my faith is unrealistic at times. Don't I see how bad things are? Yes I do. But I refuse to believe that the God who performed miracle after miracle throughout the Bible cannot handle the situations that I have been chosen to face in my life. (Side note: You do realize that you have been chosen to go through certain things. God has deposited in you everything you need in order to make it through. Not only that but He is continuously depositing more and more in you so that you will be ready for the next trial and He will be glorified.) Now let me get back on topic....when I hear people say that I have unrealistic faith, I come back and say that my faith is actually the most realistic expectation I have because it is not in man but in the Almighty God. He has proven track record. It doesn't mean that my life is going to be easy. In fact, my experience has taught me that it means the total opposite. It means that my life is going to be full of ups and downs. There will be times when I may have to take the long route. I may not be able to walk right through every door. It means that sometimes there will be detours and road blocks. Although my experience may say that I am qualified for that position, it may not be in God's plan for me to have it right now. It may also mean that I may receive the position that I am least qualified for. All I have to remember is that in the midst of the adversity that I may have to face, God is with me. Faith is absolute assurance. It is not saying to God, "Show me and I'll believe". It is about taking present possession of God's promises.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the blessed assurance I have that no matter what obstacles I may face you are there working behind the scenes on my behalf. I thank You Father, because no matter what it may look like on the surface, You have the power to turn the situation around for my good, I just need to have faith. So right now Father, I am saying that "I believe". I believe that although things may look dark right now I know that trouble don't last always and that you are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ever ask or think. In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray Amen.
Friday, June 3, 2011
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b
I had an epiphany today. There are blessings that can only be discovered through tribulation. This is a fact. It is within our tribulation, our tests and our trials, that we reach the end of ourselves and learn to rely completely on God. There is no way around it. Suffering is God's permissive will. Our greatest joy is in knowing that while in the midst of our suffering God will never leave us nor forsake us. That is why should always give Him praise. He is our source for everything. We must stay tuned into Him for guidance and direction, peace and strength. All these things He will give to you if you would only ask. "Ask the Savior to help you, comfort, strengthen and keep you; He is willing to aide you. He will carry you through". Stop always asking God to remove you from the situation. The mature Christian's prayer should not be for Him to remove you from the storm but instead to sustain you and show you what you need to take from the situation that you can use in the future. These lessons are not only for your future use but that you can be a blessing to others also. The Bible tells us that 'Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Romans 5:3-4)
It is not only in the after life that you can live victoriously. You can live victoriously now. Stress-free. It is possible! How? Pray about everything. Give everything over to God. Allow Him to make the difference in what you lack in your own ability to change the situation. Remember, God's strength is made perfect in your weakness. You were not meant to handle it all. One of the greatest lessons I learned was when a mother in the church asked me, "Who said you have to strong all the time?" The Bible tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding". God's shoulders are big enough. It is not about me getting upset with my spouse or my friends. They were not meant to carry my load for me. God is! That is why He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins. He could handle it. He could handle the nails, when He was pierced in the side. He could handle the sins of the entire world. Now if He could handle all that, don't you think He can handle your marriage problems, your financial situation, that bad report from the doctor. All that stress you have been carrying that you just were not meant to carry. It's like having the key to unlock the door to get into the house but standing outside in the rain anyway. If you really think about it, most things in life are beyond our control. And I don't know about you but most of my stress comes from trying to control another person (make them do what I want them to do). It's just not possible. The best thing you can do in that situation is to tell God about it. God has the power to bring about real change.
This was my epiphany today. But I want to encourage you. You were not meant to live a life full of worry and stress. Yes, some of your circumstances may be because of bad decisions you made. Thanks be to God that you don't even have to worry about that. God has given us grace to make up for those bad decisions. I don't know what you may be facing in your life right now but one thing I do know is that you should give it to God. Let Him handle it. It is a decision you won't regret.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
I admit that I have been worrying and stressing about things beyond my control. But no more. I trust you Lord with my life. I surrender all to You. I don't want to carry the load anymore. Right now I am in the midst of a storm. I know that you have already given me what I need to make it through. Help me to learn whatever lesson You want me to learn from this trial so that I can be a blessing to others and Your name will be glorified. In the Wonderful Name of Jesus I pray Amen.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
My God...My Everything
I just have to take a moment today to praise my God! I truly don't know where I would be without the Lord. I can't count how many times over the past few weeks alone that He has provided rest in times of stress. (Matthew 11:28) He has comforted me in times where I have felt completely alone. He has provided guidance when I was seeking direction. (Isaiah 58:11) When I was weak, He gave me strength. (Isaiah 40:29-31) He has been my rock when everything else around me was unstable. (Psalm 18:2) He has granted me grace and mercy when I have fallen by the wayside. Just last week He provided protection when sirens where going on all around me and destruction was in the air. God was the only one who had the power to say "Peace be still". This is why I trust Him. My God is faithful!
I remember a time when I used to struggle with whether or not God was going to be there for me in my distress. I wasn't sure that the promises I had read and memorized over the years applied to me. There were many reasons for my doubt. One of the main reasons for this doubt was my failure to live a life that was pleasing unto the Lord. There were some areas of my life that I continued to fail in over and over again. I hadn't quite grasped the concept of grace. I put God on my level. I figured He would treat me the same way I treated those who mistreated me...especially repeat offenders. I might extend forgiveness or 'grace' to someone who does something to me once, but over and over again...I think not. The day that I realized that God's faithfulness was not dependent upon my behavior was a life-changing moment for me. It was the day when I realized that I wouldn't be the woman I am today without the Lord. It was the day I realized that I was not in control of my life. If I was going to be a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, I was going to have to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. I could no long trust what I thought was the right thing to do. I needed to consult God for every decision in my life.
Maybe you, like me, have been struggling with accepting the love of God in your life. Only you know the things that you are struggling with in your life. I challenge you today to give those things to God. Allow Him to make the only real difference in your life. You can't do it alone. Accept what God allows in your life and look for the lesson He wants you to learn. Take a moment and think about all the things He has already done in Your life. I even took this a step further and wrote them down. That's just half of it though. After you list the things that God has already done, make a list of the things you need God to do now. Pray about them and then start marking them off as God begins to answer them. Remember an answered prayer is not simply God giving you what you asked for. Sometimes an answered prayer is God withholding from you the very thing you think you need/want.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the blessings You have given me. Please forgive me for the times I have doubted You. I realize that I can't make it on my own for it is not by might nor by power, but by thy Spirit. I am nothing without You Lord and today I submit humbly to Your will. Right now I am standing on Your promises for my life and my family. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. I will forever give You all the glory honor and the praise. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.
I remember a time when I used to struggle with whether or not God was going to be there for me in my distress. I wasn't sure that the promises I had read and memorized over the years applied to me. There were many reasons for my doubt. One of the main reasons for this doubt was my failure to live a life that was pleasing unto the Lord. There were some areas of my life that I continued to fail in over and over again. I hadn't quite grasped the concept of grace. I put God on my level. I figured He would treat me the same way I treated those who mistreated me...especially repeat offenders. I might extend forgiveness or 'grace' to someone who does something to me once, but over and over again...I think not. The day that I realized that God's faithfulness was not dependent upon my behavior was a life-changing moment for me. It was the day when I realized that I wouldn't be the woman I am today without the Lord. It was the day I realized that I was not in control of my life. If I was going to be a good wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, I was going to have to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus. I could no long trust what I thought was the right thing to do. I needed to consult God for every decision in my life.
Maybe you, like me, have been struggling with accepting the love of God in your life. Only you know the things that you are struggling with in your life. I challenge you today to give those things to God. Allow Him to make the only real difference in your life. You can't do it alone. Accept what God allows in your life and look for the lesson He wants you to learn. Take a moment and think about all the things He has already done in Your life. I even took this a step further and wrote them down. That's just half of it though. After you list the things that God has already done, make a list of the things you need God to do now. Pray about them and then start marking them off as God begins to answer them. Remember an answered prayer is not simply God giving you what you asked for. Sometimes an answered prayer is God withholding from you the very thing you think you need/want.
Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
Thank You for all the blessings You have given me. Please forgive me for the times I have doubted You. I realize that I can't make it on my own for it is not by might nor by power, but by thy Spirit. I am nothing without You Lord and today I submit humbly to Your will. Right now I am standing on Your promises for my life and my family. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness. I will forever give You all the glory honor and the praise. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen.
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