God's Goodness

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Psalm 34:8

God asks us to "taste and see" to try His love out - on for size. He then directly promises us that we will find that He is good. We will be blessed by Him when we go to Him.

How awesome is a promise like that? It holds so much confidence! Come to me, you will be blessed.

A lot of times we see things happening in life that we don't understand the reasons for. We see pain and hurt all around and aren't sure why. The human reaction to things like this is to turn away from God and think that He is the reasoning behind all of it. Instead, we must look to God and find that He is only good. This will not only put all things into perspective, it will also deepen your faith and your walk with Him.

Remember that we don't think the way God thinks and we don't work the way He does. God's way goes beyond anything we can ever fathom and His main purpose in all things is goodness!

"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work." God's Decree. "For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think." Isaiah 55:8-9

Every Morning

If you wake me each morning with the sound of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you. Psalm 143:8

There are many promises to us that God will stay with us, is with us, won't leave us. All these promises comfort me and remind me that I am never alone - God is walking this life with me.

This morning I woke up feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, rested - it was great! I went to bed fairly early last night and got the much needed rest for today. Waking up feeling reenergized is such a great feeling! Once I began to read my devotion, I realized the topic fit my current mood perfectly! I immediately thought of the song "Steadfast Love" (not sure if that's the exact title). I love this song and wanted to sing it out this morning. It was a great reminder that all God's promises are renewed each and every morning. They never come to an end!

Yes, the song is beautiful, but the promises are even better!

Thank you, Jesus, for everything you have done in my life and for keeping all your promises - each and every day!

Yes. I'll stay with you, I'll protect you wherever you go, and I'll bring you back to this very ground. I'll stick with you until I've done everything I promised you. Genesis 28:15 

Heart vs. Mind

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

I love the promises that are made to us in the 23rd Psalm. I love the comfort they bring and the peace they portray.

I remember learning these verses at a very young age and not entirely understanding their meaning. I remember having to memorize the words and I think we even put the verses to song. That being said, these words are forever engraved in my mind. I am so appreciative of this, the many school hours spent memorizing and creating, so that I can now recall these words. And now that I'm older, and I hope a bit wiser, I can apply them to my life. I can also now say that they are forever engraved in my heart.

Heart vs. mind. What's the difference? I say it is a big difference. We can know a lot of things, but to feel them is completely different. I know names and faces, but the way those names and faces make me feel is a different story. I know lyrics and pitch and sound, but the way the music makes me feel is a million times better.

Knowing these verses and understanding them are important, but feeling the comfort they bring and the peace they carry is so vital to their meaning for us.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 

Thank You

The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.Psalm 118:24

Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:2

Thank You for the weekend.
Thank You for the sunrise.
Thank You for the gentle breeze.
Thank You for family.
Thank You for friends.
Thank You for the people in my life that love unconditionally.
Thank You for today.

This is the day that God has made. He set it up for each and every one of us. He is present in every moment and He will carry us through this day.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

Time

But me, I'm not giving up. I'm sticking around to see what God will do. I'm waiting for God to make things right. I'm counting on God to listen to me. Micah 7:7

When we wait patiently on God we learn that time is only something of this world.

God never intended us to be slaves to time. We were never meant to be so distracted by the 24-hour periods in the day, the long to-do lists the pressure us every hour, and all the other countless things that revolve around time.

The rest of the summer my work time will consist of timing - down to the "T". Everything, especially on summer orientation days (Wednesday and Thursday) is scheduled to the exact minute and I must abide by this schedule in order to fulfill my duties at work. This is stressful. I like a good schedule, don't get me wrong, but it is tiring and much more demanding when students are rushed and I am feeding them information a mile a minute so that they can succeed. Seems a bit contradicting if you ask me.

This is just a reminder of the many things we come across all the time in our lives that deal with time. It's everywhere! Make sure you are allowing "time" for God in your life. Make sure you are giving Him those precious moments throughout the day. I'm sure when I, and you, look to Him in the times that seem hectic and rushed we will both get refreshed!

The Master declares, "I'm A to Z. I'm The God Who Is, The God Who Was, and The God About to Arrive. I'm the Sovereign-Strong." Revelation 1:8 

God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper. Numbers 6:24-26

Foundation

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

God is a great foundation to stand on. When we put our hope and trust in Him we are sure to prosper.

There are plenty of times when life seems shaken. Life seems like there is nothing firm to stand on and your little world gets turned upside down. Instead of drowning in disbelief and confusion, try looking at a focal point - God. When you find Him in all the confusion everything else will fall into place.

He is  the greatest foundation. He will put everything into perspective. Things will begin to fall into place and life will go on.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25

No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Jude 1:5

Chosen

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love. Ephesians 1:4

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

God chose us. He chose us to be His children. Therefore, we are His chosen children!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart! Make sure you remember that He has big plans for you and He will lead you to them. You may be planning your life but He is placing your feet in the right direction.

Remember these things throughout today. Remember that you are chosen and wanted and loved!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

Blank

The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10

 I'm at a loss for words this morning. I can't seem to think of what to write.

Please send your prayers this way and know that God loves you with an everlasting love!

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1 Peter 2:9

The Spirit

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8

I'm sitting here ready to write as the song "You Raise Me Up" comes on my Pandora. This is the 2nd song this morning that has felt like it was sent just to me by God. the first was on my drive to work. I was so busy thinking of other things when I listened to the lyrics for just a second...they were "you lift me up when I am weak, your arms wrap around me, your love catches me so I'm letting go".

Oh how I needed to hear both these songs! I just felt so much comfort and I knew that God was singing to me through them!

Today I want to be born of the Spirit. I want to be changed from the inside out from Christ and know that I can get through this day with Him living through me. I need His strength and I know that He will bless me with the fruits of the Spirit!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Practicing Patience

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

 This morning I had two devotions - one from my devotional book at home and another one that is sent of my inbox at work. They both centered around trust, not being afraid, and knowing that God is near.

Sometimes it is easy to forget that God is constantly with us. It is hard to remember that He is walking with us through life. We go through hardships, struggles, and many things that don't seem like He is holding our hand. We begin feeling alone and abandoned. It is hard to come out of these situations knowing that He has been with us the entire way.

I was reminded this morning of patience. I was reminded that I need to practice this fruit of the spirit - mostly in tough times. I need to practice patience like a muscle so it will continue growing. And the only way to practice it is by using it.

God often assists us in practicing our patience by delaying some of our wants and needs. While we are awaiting His gifts and relief we must learn to use our patience. We must understand that we are growing and learning how to wait. 

"If you're discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience." Rick Warren

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

Some Logic

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31

God never promised that our lives would be trouble-free. He never said that it would and easy ride. He did, however, say that we can have peace in Him. He promises that He has already overcome the world.

This should be such a great thing to hear. We know that God has taken over the world and promises that we can have peace throughout our life.

I love the promises and logic in Luke 12. I love how it tells us why we need to not worry about anything and how God will provide and protect. These verses bring me great peace.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Pressing On

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Psalm 105:4

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

I find so much comfort from these Bible verses this morning. God knew how much I needed to hear His words saying to me, "look to me for strength and seek my face". He showed me this morning that everything around me "declares His glory and proclaims the work of His hands". These reminders seem simple, but the truth is they have a great amount of meaning to me. In the moments I read them I know that He has sent these words to me for a purpose. He knows that I needed to see these promises and assurance.

I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. There is a plan and a purpose to all that is. I know that all things are working together for good, but when times are hard and things don't seem easy, these reminders are sent from above to keep me focused. They keep me pressing on and walking toward that beautiful light that God has shined down so that we can reach it.

See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Isaiah 60:2

 

Go'd Load is Light - Rick Warren

This morning I would like to feature a devotional that I get directly to my email everyday. The information for it is at the bottom of this post. I highly recommend signing up for the daily emails. They are truly a blessing!

God's Load Is Light by Rick Warren

"Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest. For the yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light." (Matthew 11:29-30 TEV) Expectations are a yoke. Some of you are carrying a yoke — a heavy burden — of the expectations that were put on you by your parents, your husband, your wife, your children, your boss, or your teacher. But most of us carry a yoke of burden that we've put on ourselves because of unresolved guilt and unrealistic expectations. We're trying to prove that we matter. We take on a heavy yoke that God never intended in order to prove that we're important, when God says we're already important: He created us to be with him and to fulfill a unique mission in life. That makes us important, not all the things we do (or don't do). God's yoke is that we follow his purpose for our lives, and when we do that, things work out a whole lot better. When we go our own way in life, we hit one brick wall after another. In a sense, God says, "Put on my purpose, my plan for your life." How heavy is God's yoke? Jesus says, "The yoke I will give you is light and easy." You say, "But my Christian life isn't easy. My Christian life is heavy; it's like a duty that I have to fulfill." Then it may be you are out of God's will. You may be doing something that God never intended for you to do. I can't say it any plainer than this: It may be that some of the things you think God is asking you to do, he's not actually asking you to do. Your conscious and your perfectionism are asking you to do them. Jesus did not come to give you a burden but a blessing. Am I saying the Christian life has no problems? No, not at all! We all will have a lot of problems. The Christian life is full of difficulties. The point is this: To live in the center of God's will is a lighter load than to live out of God's will. To live in God's purpose and plan for your life is a lighter, more relaxing, more enjoyable load than for you to live your own life any old way you choose. Talk About It There may be some things in your life that you're doing that God never intended for you to do. You need to get quiet before God and ask, "What do I need to cut out of my life?" Discuss this with a friend: To live in the center of God's will is a lighter load than to live out of God's will. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life. His book, The Purpose Driven Church, was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors. This devotional © 2012 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Trials and Strength

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 When trials in your life arise remember that God is giving you the strength to get through them.

Just like with Job, the devil tries his best to give us reasons to curse God and turn away from Him. The devil continues to destroy us while God is giving us strength to carry through. We must learn to trust God through these times and know that He is right there with us. He will carry us through.

When these times happen, cling to God. Hold tightly to His hand and lean on Him for knowledge and understanding. Know that He will carry you through and He will prevail. 

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

God is in Control

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. Psalm 18:30

God is involved in every moment of your life. His hand is constantly intertwined in your life.

This may be a hard concept for some people to understand. Some of us go through hard time daily and we don't understand why God is allowing, or actually creating, this in our life. Unfortunately, I don't have the answers to that either, but I do know that He has a plan. His purpose is for good.

Some of us just don't like the idea of a God who is so intimately involved in our life. We don't like that we don't have ultimate control over what takes place in our every day happenings. To think that God is in complete control over our lives is scary to a lot of people and is in fact mind-boggling to many.

All I can say is that the Bible promises us that God is in control. We are told that God is holding us up - He is holding our hand and walking us through this life. It is time to let go and let God. Stop fighting His plan and His purpose and allow Him to lead you into peaceful waters.  

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13