God is Everywhere

The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.Then the angel of the Lord told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.”  The angel added, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
 The angel of the Lord also said to her:“You are now pregnant    and you will give birth to a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man;    his hand will be against everyone    and everyone’s hand against him,and he will live in hostility    toward all his brothers.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”  That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:7-14

 Some of us feel that we have done things in life that God will not forgive. Some of us may feel like we are in some situations right now that God will not meet us at.

I remember when I was little I knew that some people in my church had this belief that God didn't approve of the theatre. Because of this, they believed that if we, or they, chose to attend the movies that their guarding angel would stay behind and not enter in with them.

I'm sorry, but I think that this belief just messed up a lot of other believers. It not only was a false truth, but it gave this impression that God left us and wouldn't be there for us in times of trials (if the movies really are "trials"). But the truth is that God will never leave us. He promises that there is nowhere too dark and desolate that He won't enter in to save us or meet us. Just like Hagar's story above, God met her in a dark time and made her promises and showed her that He truly sees His people and loves us.

So, whether you've been in a dark place, or are stuck in one right now, there is nowhere that God will not come to you and show you His love.

Where can I go from your Spirit?    Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there;    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn,    if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me,    your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139:7-10

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

Worry and the Fight

Jesus said to his followers, “So I tell you, don’t worry about the things you need to live—what you will eat or what you will wear. Life is more important than food, and the body is more important than what you put on it. Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or save food in houses or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than crows. None of you can add any time to your life by worrying about it. And if you can’t do the little things, why worry about the big things? Luke 12:22-26

Worry has been a topic on my blog many times before. It seems to be the one thing that I can't seem to shake completely. I'm a worrier...that's that.

Luke talks about worry in his message in the Bible and it is quite famous. However, no matter how may times I read it I still catch myself worrying about the silliest things. I will say that I am getting better at this though....I may find myself worrying a lot but I do end up putting everything into perspective and leaving it in God's hands. That's my coping mechanism now days.

God says that if we spend time with Him we will learn and begin to understand His character and His doing. Now, I don't think we'll ever really know His ways, but I do believe that through spending time with Him we will build our relationship and faith in Him and our lives will be more doable (if that's a word).

Remember that we are all in this together. We are all battling the darkness of this world and are thriving for something bigger, and way better, than this. Our relationship with Christ is vital to living this life and through Him we will be able to fight this fight. Besides, He's already won!

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 

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

Fill Up

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”    Let the light of your face shine on us.
 Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,    make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:6-8

When we spend time with God we are strengthening our relationship with Him and our ability to to have deep relationships with others as well.

Think of it as God being our fuel. Every car can't go unless they have the proper gasoline to get it going. God is like that to us. We need His strength and love in our life in order to function. He fills us up so that we can have a fulfilling day.

In order to fill up, we must spend time with Him. We must learn that the only way to a fulfilling life, or a good day, is to spend some time filling up with God's character.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Revelation 21:23 

God is your Balance

That is because you are the one who helps me.    It makes me happy to be under your protection! I stay close to you,    and you hold me with your powerful arm.Psalm 63:7-8

Spending time with God in the morning is a great way to find balance for the busy day ahead. Think of it as a great balance to life.

When everything seems to bu busy, rushed, all over the place, look to God and He will show perspective and calm.

Life is bound to get hectic. It will feel like a whirlwind at times and it will seem like everything is a big blur. Throughout all this look to God and allow Him to give you focus. Let Him hold you and guide you through the confusion and know that He understands and can see through all the chaos.

Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,    a light that shows the path I should take.Psalm 119:105 

God First

When they came to the place where God told them to go, Abraham built an altar. He carefully laid the wood on the altar. Then he tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached for his knife to kill his son.But the angel of the LORD stopped him. The angel called from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”Abraham answered, “Yes?”The angel said, “Don’t kill your son or hurt him in any way. Now I can see that you do respect and obey God. I see that you are ready to kill your son, your only son, for me.” Genesis 22:9-12

When we let God lead our loved ones and take care of them they will be in better hands than our own.

I'm not a mother yet, but there are people in my life that I try and protect and care for. I cling to them, and the relationship we have, and I depend on them for a lot of things. Whether it be my parents, sister's, husband, family or friends, our relationship is important to me and I cherish it.

However, there can be too much of a good thing when it comes to our relationships with others. God wants us to be able to let go of our relationships and allow Him to be the top priority in our own lives and in the lives of others.

He showed us this message with Abraham and Isaac's story in Genesis. We learn that God wants us to respect and obey Him first and foremost and allow Him to take hold of our hands, and the hands of those we are in relationships with, without ourselves getting in the way. Besides, who better hands to be in than in God's?

With God’s power working in us, he can do much, much more than anything we can ask or think of. Ephesians 3:20 

The Lord answered, “I myself will go with you. I will lead you.” Exodus 33:14 

Practicing Faith

So give yourselves to God. Stand against the devil, and he will run away from you. James 4:7

So now anyone who is in Christ Jesus is not judged guilty. That is because in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made youfree. It made you free from the law that brings sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 

Life has been hectic these past few months. And right when I feel as if the waters are subsiding another bit wave comes our way.

I know I briefly discussed our car troubles yesterday morning. Well, God has been working on giving me peace throughout this storm. I know that these trials are strengthening my faith in Him and I need to trust Him through these times. It is true that these may just be "baby" waves and God's preparing me for the big ones to come. Or, these could be the trials of our life and getting through these things is the hard work.

Whatever it may be, I know God is on my side and He promises that He will prevail. So whatever is trying to get in my way out there world - know that God is on my side and will save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid.

God is the one who saves me.    I trust him, and I am not afraid.The LORD YAH is my strength.    He saves me, and I sing songs of praise about him. Isaiah 12:2 

Perspective

“LORD, God of Israel, there is no other god like you in heaven or on the earth. You keep the agreement that you made with your people. You are kind and loyal to those who follow you with all their heart. 1 Kings 8:23

Sorry for the missing post yesterday. We had car trouble again...seems like every time life is "in order" another hit comes our way.

Talking to hubby last night I was quite upset about our situation and the financial burden that was being placed on us. I asked him "why is this happening to us" and his response was "why shouldn't it happen to us?" I was caught off guard and wasn't sure how to respond. He was right. Why shouldn't bad things happen to us? Just because we're "good" people doesn't make us exempt from the bad and ugly of this world. I think it actually makes us more of a target.

I guess perspective was what I needed. I also needed to be cuddled and comforted as well. Sometimes I just need that little pity-party and then I'm good to go. I was thankful for hubby and how he reminded me that bad things are going to happen-it's life.

We prayed about it, I cried about it, and now I'm waiting on God. I know He is a healer...so maybe He'll send some healing to our car.

But the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things. Galatians 5:22-23 

A Prayer

But those who trust in the LORD will become strong again.    They will be like eagles that grow new feathers.
They will run and not get weak.    They will walk and not get tired. Isaiah 40:31

I meet You in the early morning splendor.

I want to draw near to you and seek Your face.

I thank You for the life You've given me and the new day that is ahead of me.

I thank You for my family and friends - the loved ones that surround me each day.

I know that this time is precious to us and to the relationship we have.

I know that the time strengthens me for the day ahead and fills me with peace and encouragement.

Help me to trust You so that I can be strong. Help me to call on You today when I need strength.

Today I will think on things that are true, honorable, right and pure, beautiful and respected.

Please be with me as I challenge myself to this.

I love You!

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 

Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. Philippians 4:8 

A Page is Turned - Happy Anniversary, My Love

I speak to God morning, noon, and night.    I tell him what upsets me, and he listens to me! Psalm 55:17

That is why your loyal followers pray to you while there is still time.    Then when trouble rises like a flood, it will not reach them. Psalm 32:6 

Yesterday I posted about God always being and how comforting that is to me.

Another comfort of mine is knowing that God has the whole picture. He knows the beginning from the end. I know other people may argue this and that's okay. I don't claim to know the "correct" being of God, but as for me and my relationship with Him I love knowing in my heart that He has a purpose, a plan, and knows it all for my life. I find great comfort in this and I'm okay with that idea!

The reason I bring it up this morning is because it's actually the anniversary of our marriage! August 15 2010 was the day we said "I Do"! These past two years have been wonderful and we have grown so much as a couple. Being here today, marking two years off the calendar, just shows me how much God had, and still has, His hand in our lives. I know that a marriage is not successful without God in it. I know that He is constantly working on hubby and I separately, and together as a couple, to grow us.

On our wedding day we had a unity sand ceremony. We asked two of our former teachers to sing a song that I had chosen for this special moment in the wedding. I absolutely love the words and wanted to share it with everyone. Yes, this is a tribute to that special wedding day of ours, but it is also tying everything together with how much God is present in our lives. He is always there and will always lead us into beautiful places!

A Page is Turned

A page is turned by the wind to a boy in curly grin

With a world to conquer at the age of ten

But as history unfolds and the storybook is told

He finds salvation but not at the hands of man

And the God of second chance

Picked him up and He let him dance

Through a world that is not kind

And all this time, preparing him, the one

To hold him up when he comes undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And now a man, here you stand

Your day has come

A page is turned in this world to reveal a little girl

With a heart that's bigger, as it is unfurled

By the language in her soul, that's teaching her to grow

With a careful cover of love that will not fail

And the God of second chance

Picked her up and He let her dance

Through a world that isn't kind

And all this time, preparing her the one

To hold her up when she comes undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And grown up tall, here you are

Your day has come

Beneath the air of autumn, she took him by his hand

And warm within the ardor, she took his heart instead

And high upon the mountain, he asked her for her hand

Just for her hand

A page is turned in this life, he's making her his wife

And there is no secret to the source of this much life

When the grace that falls like rain is washing them again

Just a chance to somehow rise above this land

Where the God of second chance

Will pick them up and he'll let them dance

Through a world that is not kind

And all this time, they're sharing with the one

That holds them up when they come undone

Beneath the storm, beneath the sun

And once again, here you stand

And once again, here you stand

Your day has come

I would love for all of you to hear this song. Click here to enjoy the music!

People, always put your trust in God!    Tell him all your problems.    God is our place of safety.Selah Psalm 62:8 

God Is

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

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

 I love these passages about God and how eternal He is. It is so comforting to me to know that God is. There is no end to Him and His being.

There not much more I need to say about this. God will always be constant. He is never changing.

Long ago, you made the world.    You made the sky with your own hands!The earth and sky will end,    but you will live forever!They will wear out like clothes,    and like clothes, you will change them.But you never change.    You will live forever! Psalm 102:25-27

This God is our God forever and ever.    He will lead us from now to the end of time! Psalm 48:14 

Have a Good Time

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.” (Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23

Today's devotion was all about learning to enjoy life more. Learning how to relax, have some fun, do something fun for yourself. It was a reminder that God wants that personal relationship with us but it can be fun and games too!

There's a big part of me that enjoys celebrating! Maybe it's the big family I come from, but all throughout childhood, my teenage years and pretty much my adult-life I've always celebrated big. Any birthday, anniversary, or even small accomplishment, the family celebrates! I love this! I love having reasons and excuses to get together with loved ones and have a great time!

God wants us to have fun in this life and be the ones we love. He wants us to learn how to celebrate since that's what we'll be doing in heaven! He enjoys the times that we celebrate and have a good time!

A thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I came to give life—life that is full and good. “I am the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11

Find Your Robe

The LORD makes me very happy.    I am completely happy with my God.He dressed me in the clothes of salvation.    He put the victory coat on me.I look like a man dressed for his wedding,    like a bride covered with jewels. Isaiah 61:10 

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

God has robed us with His love and salvation. We are saved because of His grace and only need to choose to accept His love in order to be saved.

I love the Bible verses surrounds this post. They are the ones designated to the specific devotional reading for the day's passage. They are chosen to fit perfectly with the reading in the devotional book "Jesus Calling".

It's funny...just this past week my family was able to hear Pastor Keith Grey speak at our home church. This was the pastor that hubby and I met while on our mission trip to AZ. This pastor truly speaks from God. His messages are powerful. On Friday evening we heard him tell the story of Joseph and the many different coats (or robes) he wore throughout his life. Pastor Grey used the robe as a symbol of different personalities, or roles, you will have in your life. We tend to grow out of them, or not ever fit them quite perfectly. It isn't until we find the robe of righteousness from God, the life that God has planned for us to live, that we will live fully and feel comfortable in our own skin.

I love this idea. I love knowing that God has a plan and I will feel comfortable, safe and sound in it once I decide to wear God's robe that He made just for me.

You were taught to leave your old self. This means that you must stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self gets worse and worse, because people are fooled by the evil they want to do. You must be made new in your hearts and in your thinking. Be that new person who was made to be like God, truly good and pleasing to him. Ephesians 4:22-24

God's Calling

I hear the roar of the water coming from deep within the earth.    It shouts to the water below as it tumbles down the waterfall.God, your waves come one after another,    crashing all around and over me. Psalm 42:7

Come, let us sing praise to the LORD!    Let us shout praises to the Rock who saves us. Come and worship him with songs of thanks.     Let us sing happy songs of praise to him. Psalm 95:1-2 

God is constantly calling us. His calling surrounds us at all times. Whether or not we can hear it is up to us. Those of us who do are blessed. This is a gift that we must cling tight to and praise God for the ability to be so in-tune with God. Those of us who can't always hear Him - we must pray continually and seek God. He is out there. He isn't hiding from us. It is up to us to find what is keeping His calling away from our lives.

Pray about this. Know that God is wanting to be found. His calling to you is something that needs to be heard continually. When you do finally get it praise Him! Know that you have a blessing from heaven and you must remain faithful and understand how great a gift you have.

Never let it go.

Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Cast Your Cares

I will continue to trust God even if he kills me. But I will defend myself to his face. Job 13:15

He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling. Psalm 18:33 

There have been plenty of times in my life when things felt as if they were falling apart. Nothing was as I thought it should be and I felt as if life as I knew it was failing.

God promises us that He will be there to turn to when life feels like this. All we need to do is give all our worries to Him and trust that He will steady us.

When I was little I would singe the song "Cast All My Cares" for church. At the time I wasn't aware of the power of that song. Today I can understand the deeper meaning of the lyrics and I find great comfort in it.

I cast all my cares upon you.

I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. 

And any time I don't know what to do

I will cast all my cares upon you. 

The story of Job is also a great reminder of trusting God when everything is falling apart. It's a great example of the trust and relationship we should have with God. 

Give all your cares to God. He will take them and keep you steady!

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.
- Habakkuk 3:17-19

Be Still - Allow Time

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

All God wants is to be near you. He wants to have your time, your attention, your energy. He longs to hold your heart in His hands and be able to spend time with you.

Life is so busy and it can get in the way of any relationship. It seems that more than all the other relationships time gets in the way of our relationship with God the most. When is the last time you really spent time with God? I'm guilty of this too. I feel that my devotional time is spent reading, praying, thinking and contemplating - never listening. God tells us to "be still". This is something I need to practice. I need to learn how to sit comfortably in the silence with just God.

Don't let the busyness of life distract you from the precious time of spending time with God. Allow yourself to let go of everything and listen - be still.

If anyone believes in me, rivers of living water will flow out from their heart. That is what the Scriptures say. John 7:38

His love for his followers is
    as high above us as heaven is above the earth. Psalm 103:11

Accepting His Love

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

 Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you. Joshua 1:5 

When life feels a little crazy and you are running here and there, remember that God is with you.

There is nothing in our lives that can take God's love away. It is a hard concept to understand since everything in this world can be stolen from us. We can lose things, break things, get them stolen from us - all sorts of things can happen. However, God's love is different. It is promised to us each and every day no matter what. All we have to do is accept it and know that God is with us. 

But the Lord says,“Can a woman forget her baby?    Can she forget the child who came from her body?Even if she can forget her children,    I cannot forget you.¹⁶ I drew a picture of you on my hand.    You are always before my eyes. Isaiah 49:15-16