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

Stop Comparing

Even if I walk through a valley as dark as the grave,    I will not be afraid of any danger, because you are with me.    Your rod and staff comfort me.Psalm 23:4

 time and time again I look to others to see how I compare to the world. I find myself comparing myself to other's lives and their relationships. I tend to pace myself according to other people's steps. Well, God says not to do this! He wants us to look to Him for all these answers and for the right path we should be taking.

God wants us to not judge ourselves, or others, since we all have our own path we should be following. He has unique plans for each and every one of us and does not want us to be discouraged, or discourage others, with comparisons.

So instead of looking to your neighbor and wishing you were in their shoes, or judging them for not being in yours, remember that God has a plan for everyone. Your plan doesn't match mine and vice-versa. We are all to live our purpose God has in store for us. He knows what each one of us needs and what will suit us the best.

Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. If you judge others, you will be judged the same way you judge them. God will treat you the same way you treat others. Matthew 7:1-2

Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe. Proverbs 29:25

Remain in His Presence

Lord, your loyal followers are happy.    They live in the light of your kindness.Your name always makes them happy.    They praise your goodness.Psalm 89:15-16

The more we live in God's presence, the more we will be able to understand His calling for us.

I know I've been absent from the "blogging" world. This last week was hectic and I didn't have much time to do anything! So blogging sat on the sideline of life. I thought about it often and wished I had the time to post but life was crazy and I didn't get to it. I'm hoping that this week will be a little less hectic and I can catch up on all my life's events!

This morning's devotion was simple. It was all I needed to hear and I felt calm afterwards. I didn't sleep well last night so this morning was hard to wake up anyway and was blessed when I read about spending time with Jesus and remaining in His presence. I found myself refreshed and rejuvenated!

Remember that remaining in Jesus' presence will strengthen you. He will provide energy for you and a hope that you will not know any other way!

I always remember that the Lord is with me. He is here, close by my side, so nothing can defeat me. Psalm 16:8

Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because now you know God and Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 

Focus on God

 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

The one who sent me is with me. I always do what pleases him. So he has not left me alone. John 8:29 

When we strive to make others proud we tend to fail often. It is hard to please others. When we are trying to always be perfect for everyone else life can be exhausting.

When we strive to live for God we will succeed. As long as God is your goal and our eyes are kept on Him, we will live a more full life. Knowing that our goal is God and living a life doing what He wants from us is what we must strive for.

In everything you do, do it for the glory of God. When your priorities are straightened out you will begin to filter out that bad in your life and start living a life full of purpose.

In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, who will give you what he promised his people. Yes, you are serving Christ. He is your real Master. Colossians 3:23-24

Plans, Plans and more Plans

So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Today's morning devotion was all about how we need to set aside our plans and trust in God and His guidance.

This is something that I have "struggled" with. I have always enjoyed planning out my life and knowing was is coming - at least planning for it. I have come up with plan A, plan B, and plan C. This has brought comfort to me and the way I live my life. However, my hubby is quite opposite. He is more of the "whatever comes around we'll deal with it". I have learned from Him that this is really the way to go. More times than others my plans don't work out (even plan C). I end up getting frustrated, irritable, and confused. I mean I planned it, why didn't it happen?

God wants us to depend and rely on Him. When we plan excessively (which I have) we are showing God that we don't trust His ways. Instead of planning, planning, and more planning, we should take our cares to God. We should let Him know what we want and what we need and trust that He will provide and give us the desires of our hearts. If He knows what we'd like our plan A to be, who knows maybe we will get it? Or better yet, maybe He will have a plan BEAUTIFUL that we could never have imagined!!

People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps. Proverbs 16:9 

Depend on the Lord. Trust in him, and he will help you. Psalm 37:5 

What Do I Know?

Don’t judge others, and God will not judge you. Matthew 7:1

And this is eternal life: that people can know you, the only true God, and that they can know Jesus Christ, the one you sent. John 17:3 

Going to God with judgments and preconceptions will only defeat the purpose of going to Him. We have to always keep in mind that He is our creator and we are not worthy enough to question Him, or try to do things our own way.

I love these Bible verses this morning. I especially like Romans 9:20-21. It really puts into perspective how we as humans should know God. He is our creator.He knows the timing and what needs to take place in our lives. He knows the right thing to do and we don't have to question it.

As I write this post a familiar song came on....."What Do I Know of Holy" by Addison Road. I absolutely love this song! It is amazing! And it really puts into words what I'm trying to say this morning. So take a listen here!

Here are the lyrics as well:

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

Don’t ask that. You are only human and have no right to question God. A clay jar does not question the one who made it. It does not say, “Why did you make me like this?” The one who makes the jar can make anything he wants. He uses the same clay to make different things. He might make one thing for special purposes and another for daily use. Romans 9:20-21

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. 1 Timothy 6:15 

Finding Peace

“I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid." John 14:27

God wants you to receive His peace that is always available to you.

When God is in every area of your life you will become more at ease and the trials of live (which will still be present) will seem easier, more doable, with God on your side.

Some of us aren't sure how to receive God's peace. It really is in the quiet moments that we spend with Him.

In our society quietness is awkward. We like to go, go, go and not stop for anything. Sometimes the stop and silence is strange to us so we fill it with nonsense. But it is in these moments that you need to fill up with peace and reassurance. Allow God to fill your time with quietness, rest, silence. He will rejuvenate you for the craziness that is to come. Let these moments become more frequent and peace will find you!

 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 

The weapons we use are not human ones. Our weapons have power from God and can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 

Finding Happiness Now

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:12 

"Bring your moments to me, and I will fill them with vibrant joy. Now is the time to rejoice in My Presence!"
   ~Jesus Calling

This was the last line of my devotional reading this morning. I found it encouraging, inspirational and motivating.

Just last night I was walking with a friend and we came about the subject of being happy in life and not always "waiting to be happy". What we meant by this was that there have been times in both our lives where we thought "I can't wait until happiness comes...or the time when we are "worry-free"". Talking about this, we both knew that we had to find happiness in the present time. We couldn't just wait around for another time and hope that happiness would be found there.

Last year I spent a lot of time wishing for happiness. I wasn't content with my current circumstances and all I was doing was waiting for happiness. I finally decided that I had to make my own "happy" in my current situation - it wasn't until then that I found happiness, contentment, and felt free from all those negative feelings.

God wants this for us. He wants us to know that we can be happy now! We don't have to wait for circumstances to change, or negativity to go away, we can have contentment, peace and happiness now. He is waiting for you to call out to Him, rejoice in Him, and finally find the peace and happiness you deserve! Don't wait around until you think happiness will com along - find and have it now!

But you remain the same,    and your years will never end.Psalm 102:27 

He is Always with You

"Though the mountains be shaken    and the hills be removed,yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken    nor my covenant of peace be removed,”    says the Lord, who has compassion on you.Isaiah 54:10

God is with us always. There is nowhere that we can go that He will not follow.

I know that I have shared this song with you before, but I couldn't help but think of this song this morning as I read my devotion. The song is "He is with You". I love this song! I find such comfort in it! Please take a listen and read the words below.

Click HERE to listen.

There's a time to live
And a time to die
There's a time to laugh
And a time to cry
There's a time for war
And a time for peace
There's a hand to hold
In the worst of these

He is with you when your faith is dead
And you can't even get out of bed
Or your husband doesn't kiss you anymore
He is with you when your baby's gone
And your house is still,
And your hearts a stone
Cryin' God, what'd You do that for
He is with you

There's a time for yes
And a time for no
There's a time to be angry
And a time to let it go
There is a time to run
And a time to face it
There is love to see you
Through all of this

He is with you in the conference room
When the world is coming down on you
And your wife and kids don't know you anymore
He is with you in the ICU
When the doctors don't know what to do
And it scares you to the core
He is with you

We may weep for a time
But joy will come in the morning
The morning light

He is with you when your kids are grown
When there's too much space
And you feel alone
And you're worried if you
Got it right or wrong
Yes He is with you
When you've given up on ever finding your true love
Someone who feels like home
He is with you

When nothing else is left
And you take your final breath
He is with you

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”  Genesis 28:15

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20 

Feeling Joy

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 

Today is a good day.

I'm so happy and filled with joy this morning.

This morning I got to talk to both of my sissy's. I got to talk to bestie on my way to work. I heard from two other bestie's - and one of them has some big news to tell me in just a few minutes!

I'm so excited! I feel overwhelmed with joy today and so blessed.

This is the kind of day that God loves to share with us. I am thanking Him for all the wonderful He has given me. I am praising Him for creating me in His image. I now have the ability to feel joy and experience emotions just like Him.

Thank you God for your love and care. Thank you for sending me happiness today.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”     So God created mankind in his own image,    in the image of God he created them;    male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:26-27

Our Friend

The greatest love people can show is to die for their friends. You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do. I no longer call you servants, because servants don’t know what their master is doing. But now I call you friends, because I have told you everything that my Father told me. John 15:13-15

Those in Zion who mourn. I will take away the ashes on their head, and I will give them a crown. I will take away their sadness, and I will give them the oil of happiness. I will take away their sorrow, and I will give them celebration clothes. He sent me to name them ‘Good Trees’ and ‘The LORD’S Wonderful Plant.’ Isaiah 61:3 

God is our friend. We actually are best friends with the King. Isn't that a cool thought?

I can't say that I've ever been friends with someone who is "special", as in royalty, or even has lots of money or what not. All my friends have been in the "normal" range and I've been completely content with that - and still am. I've seen plenty of movies where the friend has status, money, reputation, etc. I haven't thought too much about it but I'm sure it's crossed my mind a few times how awesome if would be to have them as my friend. Well, turns out my best friend is the King!

While reading today's devotional, it pointed out pretty clear that Jesus is our friend. He longs to have relationships with us and be in constant communication with us. When we accept this, we are given many things - joy, riches, peace. Just to name a few.

When we have a relationship with God we are opening ourselves up for a lifetime of goodness. Now, I'm not promising no hardships or anything, but know that with God as your friend you have already conquered everything. With Him by your side, nothing can stop you!

We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing. We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith. We have nothing, but really we have everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10 

Be His Light

You are my hiding place;    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.Psalm 32:7

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9

I wish that I could rewrite my entire morning's devotion for all of you to read. It is so beautiful.

It reminded me that I am safe when I am close to God.

It promised that I will be energized in God's intimacy.

And no matter where in the world I am, I belong to God and am near to Him.

When we spend time with Christ we receive a direct blessing from Him. When we allow time for God we are allowing Him time in the world - through us. How awesome is that? We are His source. Him living through us can touch the world and we can shine His light through our own self.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12