Give it to God

Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful. Proverbs 16:3

 Many of us have clutter in our lives. It seems as if we get overwhelmed easily by all the little things that we have on our "to-do" lists.

I am "one of those people" that worry all the time. If there's something to worry about, I'm worrying. I don't like this quality; however, it is a part of who I am and I can't change or work on it until I admit it is there....and it is.

God promises that if we look to Him we will find peace. That when we turn our burdens, tasks, "to-do" lists, over to Him we will find strength.

I have a pretty long "to-do" list the next couple of days. I'm turning it over to God and putting my best foot forward. I know that it will get done and I do not need to stress about it!

On a different note...I'm signing off until the New Year! Since I will be finishing up my devotional book for the year ( I can't believe it's been that long already) I will be changing things up a bit. I'll be going back into the Word and reading that for the 2013! I hope you all stay connected and join me in my next journey of reading through God's words!

What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need. Matthew 6:33 

Making Us Stronger

The Lord might give you sorrow and pain like the bread and water you eat every day. But God is your teacher, and he will not continue to hide from you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. If you wander from the right path, either to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying, “You should go this way. Here is the right way.” Isaiah 30:20-21

We have talked a lot about troubles, hardships, problems. It seems to be a "hot topic" right now in our world.

I was watching the news just the other day and all I kept hearing was sadness...it wasn't just the recent tragedy at the elementary school, but so many other tragic events are going on in our world.

It is time for Jesus to come. It is time for us to go home! Although we don't know when He will come to save us, and we don't understand all these horrid events, we can choose to trust in Him and know that these trials are making us stronger. They are making us better fighters and giving us the strength to push on.

We have small troubles for a while now, but these troubles are helping us gain an eternal glory. That eternal glory is much greater than our troubles. 2 Corinthians 4:17 

A Response to Tragedy

God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need.    God’s kingdom belongs to them.
Great blessings belong to those who want to do right more than anything else.    God will fully satisfy them. 
Matthew 5:3,6

We are made complete in Christ. If we ever feel empty, or like we are missing something, God is there to fill that space.

We have all heard of the tragedy that happened last week. It is devastating. It doesn't make any sense at all. I am trying to understand "why", but the answers don't come.

This morning on my way to work I was listening to the Christian radio station and they read something that I want to share. It is a prayer by Max Lucado as he responds to the tragic events.

Dear Jesus,It's a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.

These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation? 

Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence. 

Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene. 

Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won't you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger. 

This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us. 

Hopefully,
Your Children

I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority. Colossians 2:9-10

Everything that breathes, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6

Learning Patience

The fountain of life flows from you.
    Your light lets us see light.
Psalm 36:9

"If you want to work with Me, you have to accept My time frame. Hurry is not in my nature." 

I love this line from my devotional this morning. I needed that! I always need reminders about patience, God timing, and understanding. I find such comfort in them. 

God says that He wants to work together with us to create our dreams. He wants to make them come true but we need to trust His timing. 

My soon-to-be sissy-in-law gave me a pendent necklace on my last birthday. It reads, "Faith in God includes faith in His timing." I love that! I wear it as a reminder that I can't do one without the other. If I'm trusting in God, I'm agreeing to have patience and trust in His timing. 

The Lord came back to visit Sarah as he said he would, and he kept his promise to her. At exactly the time God said it would happen, Sarah became pregnant and gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. Abraham named his son Isaac. Abraham did what God commanded and circumcised Isaac when he was eight days old.Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born. Sarah said, “God has made me happy, and everyone who hears about this will be happy with me. No one thought that I, Sarah, would be able to have Abraham’s child. But I have given Abraham a son, even though he is old.” Genesis 21:1-7

Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. Hebrews 11:1 

Blessings in Disguise

Don’t worry—I am with you.
    Don’t be afraid—I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you.
    I will support you with my right hand that brings victory.
Isaiah 41:10

I know that it is hard to see our problems as blessings, but sometimes it is what we need to do to understand our situation and grow from it. 

Today's devotion was all about difficulties being blessings in disguise. A favorite song of mine comes to mind called, "Blessings". I think I have even shared it on here in the past but it really fits today's topic. 

Difficulties, trials, hard times - they are always going to occur. What is important to remember is that there is something in all tragedy that can be learned. We are strengthened from the hard times in our lives and we grow closer to God. It is important to keep focus on God and to know that He is always with us and is carrying us through to blessings!

Here is the song, once again, that I find so comforting! 

"Blessings"

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
And all the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear
We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
As if every promise from Your word is not enough
And all the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not,
This is not our home
It's not our home

'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near

What if my greatest disappointments or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can't satisfy
What if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are your mercies in disguise 

You can listen to it hear as well: "Blessings" by Laura Story

Even there you will take my hand and lead me.
    Your strong right hand will protect me.
Psalm 139:10

My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. James 1:2

Just What I Needed...

While reading my morning devotions I felt truly blessed and was thankful for what God was telling and reminding me. Then, I got to work and read my devotional email I receive every morning from "Purpose Driven Life" ministry.  I want to share the devotion that they sent today. It was just what I needed to hear and I want to share it with all of you!

You Obey God by Trusting God by Tom Holladay

“But Joseph had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:25 NIV) Some people are good at the immediate. They can jump right into anything, but they are not good at “keeping on keeping on.” And other people are good at lasting, but it takes them a long time to get there. To live the exciting life of faith that God has planned for you, you need to be good at both the immediate and the lasting — and both of those require that you keep on trusting. Joseph didn’t understand what it meant for Jesus to have a virgin birth; he didn’t understand Jesus would be God in human flesh. But he knew what God told him to do, so Joseph kept on trusting. He was a newlywed who didn’t get a honeymoon, and his new marriage was not anything like he planned, but he still kept trusting. What are you going to do when life doesn’t work out like you planned or wanted? I am always encouraged by what the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4:8: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit” (LB). I don’t know why some people are diagnosed with terminal cancer. I don’t know why some children rebel so strongly against their parents. I don’t know why so many things happen that don’t make sense. So it’s encouraging to hear one of the greatest men of faith say, “I don’t know why things happen as they do, but I still choose to not give up.” It’s good to know that we can trust God and that he knows things we don’t. He has promised that one day he will set everything right. One day he will bring everyone who trusts in him together. Until then, there are two ways you can live your life. You can live feeling like God owes you an explanation, or you can live realizing God has given you great gifts. If you live life feeling like God owes you an explanation, you will only wind up in a constant state of bitterness, because God doesn’t owe you anything. But even though he doesn’t owe you anything, he has given you everything. He gave you his own Son. He gave you the gift of eternal life. He gave you the promise of being together with him forever. Those are great gifts. Talk About It In what situation is God asking you to trust him, even though it doesn’t make sense to you? Paul may seem far from an ordinary man. In what ways can you relate to him? How are you encouraged by his trust in God? Tom Holladay is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Church and author of The Relationship Principles of Jesus. This devotional © 2012 by Tom Holladay. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The Battle

Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn't need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you. 1 Samuel 17:47 

We need to remember that "the battle belongs to the Lord".

Sometimes, all we need to do in tough times is call upon God and He will take care of the rest. Hard times are bound to come, and attacks from the evil one are going to occur. But call on God and He will send you the peace you need and will take over the battle for you.

Give all your worries, battles, anxieties over to God!

So God raised him up to the most important place
    and gave him the name that is greater than any other name.
God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus.    Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow. 
Philippians 2:9-10

You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You can’t see him now, but you believe in him. You are filled with a wonderful and heavenly joy that cannot be explained. Your faith has a goal, and you are reaching that goal—your salvation. 1 Peter 1:8-9

Focus on Jesus

The Lord says, “I will teach you
    and guide you in the way you should live.
    I will watch over you and be your guide.
Psalm 32:8

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are getting worried and upset about too many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has made the right choice, and it will never be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

Problems will happen in life. this world is full of sin and bad things will happen to everyone. Instead of focusing on the problems, and trying to fix them, we should be focusing on Jesus and letting Him take care of everything else.

So many times I try and fix things myself. I focus on the best solution to problems and forget all about taking them to God. I know that if I just began with carrying my burdens to Him, I would be in a whole lot better shape from the beginning.

Begin today by asking God to carry your burdens, anxieties and any worries you may have. Then focus on Him and you will begin to feel peace and understanding.

But the government that rules us is in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from there. He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this by his power, with which he is able to rule everything. Philippians 3:20-21

Feeling Blessed

Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

"I cast all my cares upon You. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don't know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you."

I remember singing this song as a child, not sure of it's deep meaning, but singing it with all my heart. Now, I sing it, knowing its meaning, and tears fill my eyes. the meaning of this simple song is so big; so true.

These past few days I have challenged myself to thank God for the things in my life that go unnoticed often. Yesterday was a bit more challenging than Monday. I want to make sure that this becomes a habit in my life for two reasons. One, because I think it is important to thank God for what He has given us. It is our way of acknowledging His power and being. And two, it is a way to stay connected to Him continually throughout the day. And both of these things I truly want!

This morning I am overwhelmed with emotion...not quite sure why, but I know I feel blessed and I am thankful! I know that God carries my burdens and anxieties for me and I know that He will remain faithful!

I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. Ephesians 3:16-19

Thank the Lord for his faithful love
    and for the amazing things he does for people.
Offer sacrifices of thanks to him.    Sing with joy about all that he has done. 
Psalm 107:21-22

A Simple List of Thanks

Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15

The Lord has made a promise with an oath
    and will not change his mind:
“You are a priest forever—
    the kind of priest Melchizedek was.”

My Lord is at your right side.

    He will defeat the other kings when he becomes angry. 
Psalm 100:4-5

My devotions have all been about thankfulness and gratitude. Yesterday I challenged myself to thank God for something every hour of my day! I started around 8am and continued it throughout the day. My day was filled with joy and I will continue praising and thanking God for everything He has given me!

Here is what turned up on my list:

1. Gift of Christ - Christmas
2. A fixed car
3. An understanding and caring boss
4. Awesome students!
5. A lunch to eat
6. Family and friends who support me 
7. Quick walks at work in a safe campus
8. Water to drink and clean air to breathe
9. A loving hubby 
10. A beauty of a sunset
11. Helpful hands
12. Good books to read
13. God's perfect timing
14. Good advice
15. A soft, warm bed

Thank you God for the simple things in life that you provide! 

These people also said,

“Hallelujah!
    She is burning and her smoke will rise forever and ever.”

Then the 24 elders and the four living beings bowed down. They worshiped God, who sits on the throne. They said,

“Amen! Hallelujah!”

Then a voice came from the throne and said,

“Praise our God,
    all you who serve him!
Praise our God,
    all you small and great who honor him!”

Then I heard something that sounded like a large crowd of people. It was as loud as crashing waves or claps of thunder. The people were saying,

“Hallelujah!
    Our Lord God rules.

    He is the All-Powerful. 
Revelation 19:3-6

Thankful Challenge

This is the day the Lord has made.    Let us rejoice and be happy today!Psalm 118:24

I absolutely love that Christmas music is playing on almost every station and the office is sparkling with lots of tinsel and decor! I love this time of year and I find so many reminders of thanksgiving!

I know that we just got done with all the turkey meals and talk of thanksgiving, but I really think that this should be am entire season of thanks! We have so much to thank God for and we need to remember to actively thank Him! I need to remember to actively thank Him!

Today I am challenging myself to thank Jesus for something every hour! I know that this will be hard to remember but I am putting a reminder up on my desk now to help me remember to find things to be thankful for throughout the day - I hope that you take this challenge with me!

I will give you a thank offering.    I will call on the Lord’S name.Psalm 116:17 

Thank You Note

If you look to him for help,    he will put a smile on your face.    You will have no need to be ashamed.Psalm 34:5

Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could be right with God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Thank You, God!

Thank You for all that You have blessed me with.

Thank You for your love, grace, compassion, understanding.

Thank You for loving me and for showing me that You are constant.

You are always here. You will never leave me.

Thank You!

Just a quick "thank you" note to express and bask in God's glory!

And our faces are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him. This change in us brings more and more glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 

We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit. Galatians 5:25 

Beauty

Praise the Lord and honor his name!    Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.Psalm 29:2

 I didn't have time to post this morning but i want to still write a quick message...

Find the beauty in the mundane! There is beauty in everything around and it is up to us to find it.

I know that many people are stressed about the results of last night's election. I'm not here to say what I feel about them or whether or not I agree, but I am here to say that God is in control. I understand that He did not skew the results, but I do believe that He knew the results. He knows the beginning from the end. And if we can't find comfort in anything else, find comfort in that!

Find beauty in everything...it is there!

I ask only one thing from the Lord.    This is what I want most:Let me live in the Lord’S house all my life,    enjoying the Lord’S beauty    and spending time in his palace.Psalm 27:4

Close to God

I know how to live when I am poor and when I have plenty. I have learned the secret of how to live through any kind of situation—when I have enough to eat or when I am hungry, when I have everything I need or when I have nothing. Philippians 4:12

“I am with you, and I will protect you everywhere you go. I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised.” Genesis 28:15 

God allows us to get as close to Him as we choose. We can build our relationship up with His or it can have barriers and walls separating us if we allow it to.

I love these Bible verses that surround this post. I find great comfort in their words and I appreciate their message. Philippians 4:12 gives me comfort knowing that others before me knew how to live with just God. They knew that their lives would be complete just by the relationship they had with Him.

Genesis 28:15 is a promise from God that He will never leave us. He has plans for us that He will complete and His promise is so amazing here.

In Philippians 4:19, God is promising that we will never go without anything we need. Our needs will be provided and God will provide everything that is necessary for this life. He has promised this to us and we must trust that He knows our needs.

The last verse, Romans 8:38-39, is so beautiful. It is a reminder that nothing can, or will, ever separate us from God. Nothing. This is a great way to remind everyone that there is nothing we do to be saved. We are saved by grace alone and our actions don't determine our fate; it is Christ alone that saves us and has called us His own!

My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 

Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 

God Knows

The Lord is good and merciful;    our God is so kind.The Lord takes care of helpless people.    I was without help, and he saved me.My soul, relax!    The Lord is caring for you.Psalm 116:5-7

I had one of the hardest days yesterday. It really takes it out of you when you are put through a lot of stress and emotional strain. I'm feeling a lot better today (got a good 9+ hours of sleep).  I'm ready to face the day and leave work at work at 12:30 pm today and head up north to see family! It is going to be a fabulous weekend!

My devotion this morning really had me meditating and concentrating on God. I found myself breaking down, slowly, and realizing that God's promises really come through at all times.

Yesterday I was angry, frustrated, stressed, and so many other negative emotions. I wanted revenge!

This morning I am still those things, but I am giving those feelings to God. I know that He knows all and He sees this situation for what it really is. I know that He will make the good flourish and He will defeat the bad. And I find such comfort in that. I am trusting that God will make things right and He will continue to lift me up and give me peace.

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 

The Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says, “If you come back to me you will be saved. Only by remaining calm and trusting in me can you be strong.” Isaiah 30:15 

Listen and Know

Then God said, “Don’t come any closer. Take off your sandals. You are standing on holy ground. Exodus 3:5

You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don’t own yourselves. 1 Corinthians 6:19

It is easy to listen for God's voice when we are alone and spending time with Him. It become more difficult to listen when we are busy during the day, working or going to school, and conversing with others. However, these are the most important times to listen for God's voice.

The Holy Spirit was sent to speak to us and remain present with us throughout our days. Every time we choose to listen to God's voice we will be blessed with peace.

My professor this quarter is someone who is one amazing woman. She spoke to us last night about an educational proposal that she has been working on for three years. She had just finished writing it yesterday and sent it in. She told us of her spiritual journey throughout the entire time of this endeavor and how in-tune with God she felt. It was amazing to hear her story and to know that God is always present. He was with her every step of the way and really worked through her on this project. She said that she just felt His presence constantly and what an amazing feeling to know.

I know that God is a present God. I know He is here waiting to be felt, seen, heard. Trust Him and know that He is ready to show you His presence.

"If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say.”  Jesus was talking about the Spirit. The Spirit had not yet been given to people, because Jesus had not yet been raised to glory. But later, those who believed in Jesus would receive the Spirit. John 7:38-39 

Quality Time

God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I'm sure that most of us rush through our morning routines. We are doing our best not to be late to school, work, or other life obligations. I tend to snooze my alarm and each time I do I have to cut out something from my morning. It usually is breakfast, actually doing my hair, or making lunch for the day. One thing I don't cut out is my devotional time. I'm sure that even though I'm not eliminating it, waking up later is cutting it short.

It seems so easy at times to cut short our time with God. It seems like we treat is as a privilege we have instead of a requirement. Now, God doesn't require us to spend time with Him, but we should require ourselves to do it! It not only rejuvenates us for the day, but God is our source of life. We need to be plugging in to Him every day, all the time!

Spending quality time with God is a must. In order to live our lives well we need to be living in tune with God. We will wear out faster than you know - so spend some time with your life source and be made new!

Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying. Hebrews 12:3 

You Need God

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything." John 15:5

Our world is constantly telling us that we need to focus more on ourselves and find inner-peace and strength.

God is telling us that we need to turn to Him for peace and strength.

It is hard to live in our world today fully-committed to God. Everything around us tells us we can do it alone and don't need anything but our own self to succeed. It is hard to break away from that mindset and remember that we do need something else: we need God. We need Him to strengthen us. We need Him to give us peace and understanding with the things of this world.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking you don't need any help in this life...know that you need God and He wants you to go to Him for peace and strength.

If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be. James 1:4 

Stop and Rest

The Lord is my shepherd.    I will always have everything I need.He gives me green pastures to lie in.    He leads me by calm pools of water.He restores my strength.    He leads me on right paths to show that he is good.Psalm 23:1-3

I apologize for being absent from this blogging world for awhile. My schedule has been different and I am doing my best to post my devotional thought at least Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I only have time on Tuesdays and Thursdays for my own personal devotional time and not to blog. So I apologize for not making that known earlier. From now on, hopefully only until the end of this year, I will blog 3 days a week....and then hopefully back to 5.

Anyways, speaking of "timing" and "schedules" my devotion this morning was about rest. God created us to need it! He even set aside a special day to rest and rejuvenate. So many of us, being apart of the world we live in, forget to find time to rest. We are always on the go, and even when we aren't our minds are busy watching TV, being on the computer, or talking on the phone. Our bodies might get a rest at those times but our minds aren't.

God wants us to be able to rest in Him and find the peace that we so desperately need. It is vital to understand that we were created to have a time of rest. Our bodies and minds breakdown and need time to rejuvenate. It's okay! Take the time to rest up, find peace, and get control of your mind and body.

God finished the work he was doing, so on the seventh day he rested from his work. God blessed the seventh day and made it a holy day. He made it special because on that day he rested from all the work he did while creating the world. Genesis 2:2-3

It will bring light to those who live in darkness, in the fear of death.    It will guide us into the way that brings peace. Luke 1:79 

Search for Peace

You have given him blessings that will last forever.    You have given him the joy of being near you.Psalm 21:6

We all go through highs and lows of this life but it is important to remember that God is with us through it all!

It is easy to see God's presence when our lives are going well and everything seems to be easy. However, when life gets hectic and hard to handle, finding God is not always an easy task. Remember at these times that searching for God may be your answer to peace. Sometimes the act of looking for God will take your mind off the heartache, confusion, and chaos and bring peace about to your life.

We already know that God does not leave us. He will not fail us and He has a plan for each one of us. Knowing this is easy, but living it out is a different story. When times are tough look for God and in the act of searching you will find God and His peaceful presence.

Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. Proverbs 2:4 

Comfort

Praise the Lord with me.    Let us honor his name.I went to the Lord for help, and he listened.    He saved me from all that I fear.If you look to him for help,    he will put a smile on your face.    You will have no need to be ashamed.As a poor, helpless man I prayed to the Lord,    and he heard me.    He saved me from all my troubles.Psalm 34:4-6

Going to God for comfort is a must in this life. He has promised that He will never leave us but has also promised that He will comfort us.

There are going to be plenty of times in our life that we need comfort. We will need to feel a warm embrace and someone telling us that everything is going to be alright. Some of those comforting times will come directly from God, while other times will be from God through another person.

It is important to know that God can use us a a comfort for others. At times well will need His comfort, and at others we will be the comfort to someone else.

Let God comfort you. Let Him also use you to comfort others.  

Depend on the Lord for strength.    Always go to him for help.Psalm 105:4  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Father who is full of mercy, the God of all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble so that when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

He is There

Teach them to obey everything that I have told you to do. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will continue with you until the end of time. Matthew 28:20

God is with you always! Knowing this and staying conscious of this throughout your day is a must.

 I think we can all read and know that God is with us. We have read the promises and have been told that he is always present and will never leave us. However, we seem to only remember this when it is convenient to us.

Being continually conscious of God's presence is important. Reminding yourself throughout the day that God is there is helpful to you in your daily life and will bring peace to you. God has promised His presence to us always and we can turn to Him at any time and remember that He is there.

We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Hebrews 12:1-2

God's Opinion

Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him. Hebrews 11:6

It is hard not to turn to other people for advice and to look at ourselves through their eyes.

This world is all about judging. There are other's who judge, television that judges, teachers, leaders, children, everyone judges. And just as much as we are judge, we are guilty of judging other as well.

Sometimes we think that the perception people have of us is true and we believe it. I find myself allowing others' opinions of me get in my head and bother me. Hubby is always telling me, "who care's what they think". (I hate it when he's right!). God actually takes offense when we listen to other people's opinions and begin to believe them.

God has already told us that He made us in His image. He already promised that He is working on us constantly and that we are His own. Let's not fall into the idolatry trap of taking other's options of us and putting them above God's.

He has the ultimate say in who we are...He has the best opinion about our lives!

But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. John 4:23-24

Just a Thought...

I must calm down and turn to God;    he is my only hope. He is my Rock, the only one who can save me.    He is my high place of safety, where no army can defeat me 

My victory and honor come from God.

     He is the mighty Rock, where I am safe. People, always put your trust in God!    Tell him all your problems.    God is our place of safety. Psalm 62:5-8

The Lord God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega. I am the one who is, who always was, and who is coming. I am the All-Powerful.” Revelation 1:8

It is easy to get attached to things of this life. Some of these things may have even been given to you by God. But the truth is that all earthly things will perish. Do not cling to any of them. Instead, cling to God and know that He is the source for all of these things.

I love hearing, or reading, the verse that God is the "one who is, who always way, and who is coming". I find comfort in this knowing that He is all. Once we can grasp that concept and understand His ways we will blessed abundantly.

Remember that everything good comes form God. Everything you have in your life is sent directly from Him. Remember to thank God today for the things in your life - they may not be here tomorrow.

But you are his chosen people, the King’s priests. You are a holy nation, people who belong to God. He chose you to tell about the wonderful things he has done. He brought you out of the darkness of sin into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 

Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. James 1:17 

 

Trust and Receive

So trust in the Lord and do good.     Live on your land and be dependable.
Enjoy serving the Lord,     and he will give you whatever you ask for.Depend on the Lord.       Trust in him, and he will help you.He will make it as clear as day that you are right.    Everyone will see that you are being fair.Psalm 37:3-6

Trusting God can be a tough thing to do. Especially if you like to control things like I do.

I never like admitting that I am a control freak....it just sounds so terrible. But, I know it's true and I do like to controls a lot of things. I don't mean to. It's just a part of me that comes out from time to time...

When it comes to my life I tend to plan ahead. I always plan for the worse - that way I'm always prepared. I know that this is not God's intention for my life and I have to say that I've been a lot better with this.

Today's devotion reminded me once again that it is insulting to God when I over-plan and try to control everything. He has already got it under control and I don't need to worry about it! Like the two verses here this morning - Trust God. He will certainly provide everything you need.

My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 

Bad Vibes

I will give rest and strength to those who are weak and tired. Jeremiah 31:25

When we go through struggles of this world it is important to remember that God is with us. It is important that we are walking with Him and that we are able to go to Him with all of our needs and worries.

There is a big difference between going to God with your needs and going to others. So many times we try to go to others to meet our needs and the needing turns into complaining. It is so easy to discuss the difficulties of this world with others. Discussing tough times is important; complaining about them is unnecessary.

When we complain to others about our situations, or our life in general, we tend to have a negative vibe that we give out to others. First of all, I don't think anyone wants to give a negative vibe out, and second, it isn't good to go around complaining and questioning God.

We've learned in life that we must go to the source of a problem or question. It is no good to use talk about it to everyone - that's just gossip. When we go to God with our problems and worries He will listen. He hears them and wants to go through them with you. He will change your perspective on the things worth complaining about and show you how to be content with your life.

Go to the source - Jesus will show you how to be a light, not a bad vibe.

Do everything without complaining or arguing so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world. Philippians 2:14-15 

Loss and Pain - Remembering Our Loved Ones

From far away, the Lord    will appear to his people.The Lord says, “I love you people with a love that continues forever.    That is why I have continued showing you kindness.Jeremiah 31:3

I was beyond saddened to hear the news that my Kindergarten teacher's daughter passed away in her sleep Saturday night. I had just seen my former teacher at church on Sabbath morning. We talked for a brief moment and went our separate ways. I can't wrap my mind around the fact that at that very moment neither of us new that pain and devastation was just around the corner.

I don't understand God's ways. I'm not supposed to understand - and neither are you. It is hard to let go of the people we love on this earth. It is so hard not to wonder what God's plan was for this girl's life. She was very young and had her whole life ahead of her. I can't seem to come up with a "good enough" reason for this loss. All I can assure myself with is that God knows all. He understands our pain and He wants us to go to Him with it.

I can sit and think of many "reasons" why maybe her life had to end early...but it's no use. It may just be that my mind is too consumed with this world. I am hurting for her family and the loved ones she left behind that are mourning her loss and want her back. I can feel their pain and I can understand their selfishness. But maybe it isn't about all that. Maybe it's about understanding that this world is just about over. It's about realizing that just around the corner we will be going to our new home - heaven.

In these times we must remember that God told us this was not our home. He promised us a perfect place. When our loved ones are taken from this place we have confidence that the next thing they will see is Jesus' face. Those we lose may be done with this life here on earth, but they are awaiting Christ's return like the rest of us. They are waiting peacefully for Him to wake them up and call them home.

But with your kindness    you led the people you saved.And with your strength    you led them to your holy land.Exodus 15:13 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 

 

Find Your Joy

Figs might not grow on the fig trees,    and grapes might not grow on the vines.Olives might not grow on the olive trees,    and food might not grow in the fields.There might not be any sheep in the pens    or cattle in the barns.But I will still be glad in the Lord    and rejoice in God my Savior.The Lord God gives me my strength.    He helps me run fast like a deer.    He leads me safely on the mountains.To the music director. On my stringed instruments.

My morning devotion was all about joy. It reminded me that having joy does not depend on the circumstances that are surrounding you - it comes from inside.

There are plenty of bad situations that people find themselves in, but still choose to be happy. There are lots of content people who don't have the most perfect life. It comes from within, and from having an understanding with God and knowing that He has plans for you.

A co-worker of mine offered devotions for us in our staff meeting yesterday. He shared a poem he created. It was all about how we can be confident in ourselves because we have God behind us. We don't have to question our circumstances because God placed us where we are in our life for a reason. He has a purpose for us and we don't have to worry about it. We can find joy in life because we know that God has a plan for us and He is leading us to "greener pastures" and a beautiful life.

He lives in the presence of glory and honor.    His Temple is a place of power and joy.1 Chronicles 16:27 

A Little Craziness and Lots of Thanks

But I trust in your faithful love, Lord.    I will be happy when you save me.Psalm 13:5

I needed this morning's devotion. The first two lines were:

"When many things seem to be going wrong, trust me. When your life feels increasingly out of control, thank me."

My life feels just a little bit out of control! My week has been hectic (to say the least) and I felt as if I was rushing back and forth all day, hurried along to meet deadlines and appointment times, and not much time was spent to just breathe.

Last night I found myself complaining to hubby about how the next 10 weeks were going to be craziness at work.

Now, I'm known for crazy. I love the busyness of work and the tight schedule. I like to be doing something at all times and to know that I'm working for a reason. But, I also like those moments of clarity and moments to myself. They seem to be absent in this new schedule of mine. And when I do get a lovely one I feel like there is always something else to squeeze in.

So I'm changing perspective. God wants me to thank Him for the "out of control" in my life. He wants me to go to Him when life feels all out of whack. I think the change of pace and mindset will bring me to a better place and I will be able to tackle the rest of my day (or at least a few more hours until I need to thank Him again).

So I've decided to use my moments of clarity and "breathers" to thank Him. I want to put everything into perspective and to go to God when life feels crazy and to take a moment to allow Him to change my perspective and show me that I can do this.

Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

His Ways

God will make that happen at the right time. God is the blessed and only Ruler. He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. God is the only one who never dies. He lives in light so bright that people cannot go near it. No one has ever seen him; no one is able to see him. All honor and power belong to him forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15-16

The Lord says, “My thoughts are not like yours.    Your ways are not like mine.Just as the heavens are higher than the earth,    so my ways are higher than your ways,    and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts.Isaiah 55:8-9 

God's ways are much higher then our ways. He knows what is best for us and it is our duty to trust Him. When we choose to trust His ways we begin to live in peace and our relationship with God strengthens.

It is easy for us to want this things we want and to hope that things go the way we want them to go. This world is all about getting what you want - fast. Our society has taught us to plan, plan, plan and to hurry everything along. But God is saying, "Trust me. No that I have something beautiful planned for you and all you need to do is trust me".

Let's begin our day by trusting Him. Let's know that His ways are not ours and He knows what is best for us.

But I have this against you: You have left the love you had in the beginning. Revelation 2:4 

Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 

He Understands

I ask the Father with his great glory to give you the power to be strong in your spirits. He will give you that strength through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. I pray that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide, how long, how high, and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with everything God has for you. Ephesians 3:16-19

The above Bible text says it all. I encourage you to read it and really let it sink in!

Don't you know that Jesus experienced all that we go through? He knows how we are feeling. He knows the burdens on our hearts because He felt them too. Go to Him knowing that He understand and cares. Go to Him knowing that He will love you and wants you to belong to Him.

Many of us know how to except God's love for us. We know that He loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. Others don't know how to do this. They feel unworthy, unlovable. They think that god is far from them and can't imagine how He would, or could, love them. It is our duty to let them know that He already loves them! He is waiting for them to realize it!

We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. Hebrews 4:14-16

So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. You are sinners, so clean sin out of your lives.You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. Make your thinking pure. James 4:7-8

Fall onto Him

God lives forever.    He is your place of safety.His power continues forever!    He is protecting you.He will force your enemies to leave your land.    He will say, ‘Destroy the enemy!Deuteronomy 33:27

In our moments of weakness God is showing us just how strong He is.

I can think back on a few times in my life when I felt the weakest. I felt despair, sadness, and faced the unknown. It was in these times when God really showed me His true colors and proved to me just how powerful and knowing He is.

It is in these times when we learn our strength in Christ. It is through Him that we learn strength, joy, contentment, and just how far we can be stretched and persevere.

Remember that God wants you to fall into His arms. It is the act of falling that shows we are trusting solely in Him. He will hold you up and strengthen you! Remember: when we are weak He is strong!

But I really believe    that I will see the Lord’S goodness before I die.Wait for the Lord’S help.    Be strong and brave,    and wait for the Lord’S help.Psalms 27:13-14

Knowing Royalty

The Lord God gave me the ability to teach, so now I teach these sad people. Every morning he wakes me and teaches me like a student. Isaiah 50:4

Why waste your money on something that is not real food?    Why should you work for something that does not really satisfy you?Listen closely to me and you will eat what is good.    You will enjoy the food that satisfies your soul.Listen closely to what I say.    Listen to me so that you will live.I will make an agreement with you that will last forever.    It will be an agreement you can trust, like the one I made with David—    a promise to love him and be loyal to him forever.Isaiah 55:2-3

Out of all the royalty in the world we have the ability to be closest to the ruler over all!

Have you  ever thought about that? I haven't even met anyone famous (I know this isn't even royalty but still). I have never talked to anyone of "great importance" here on earth. However, we are able to not only communicate with God and be in His presence, we are able to have a relationship with Him.

I think this is an amazing concept. If we wanted to go any farther - He calls us His children! What an honor!

Get to know Him. Build a relationship with Him and know that He wants to spend time with you! He loves you and wants that intimate relationship with you. Look at everything He went through to make it happen!

When he tasted the wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died. John 19:30

Again Jesus cried out loudly and then died.When Jesus died, the curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces. The tear started at the top and tore all the way to the bottom. Also, the earth shook and rocks were broken. Matthew 27:50-51