Wait

There are times to move and there are times to wait. It's easier (for me anyway) to move than to wait. I learned a big lesson in waiting when I was 17 years old. I had to be in bed for almost a year, with the exception of the occasional car ride or walking to the end of the driveway.

I used to be such a driven individual--even as a child. It's been 12 years since my healing took place. He takes us and transforms us into something new, if we are willing and obedient!

I'm still learning to wait. Yesterday I had an errand to run, but after I got dressed and ready to go, I felt the grace lift to do it. Instead, I felt like some other things needed to be done. In addition to that I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Don't go". I don't look for a word from God on every little detail of life, so I kind of brushed it aside and went anyway.

After a 15 mile trip one way, I got to my destination only to find that the office was CLOSED!!!

I read this morning in Psalm 106:13-15, "...They did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls..."

I am learning to give myself grace in this area. We are all learning to hear His voice. I chalked yesterday up to a learning experience. Today, I make the 15 mile trip again, but I think I'll call first to make sure they are open:)

Thanks

I am reminded today of how important it is to maintain an attitude of thanks. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus."

As human beings, our natural tendency is downward (think of gravity). Our thoughts will spiral downward too, unless we consciously decide to keep a positive attitude. Reading the Word of God is the best way to keep a good attitude.

I thank the Lord today for breakthrough (personally, financially, and otherwise). I thank Him for prosperity, because His Word says that He delights in the prosperity of His servant. I thank Him for provision for every need. I thank Him for all the little blessings that I experience every day.

Begin to lift your eyes toward Him and His goodness today. He responds to our faith. Keep your thoughts positive!

The Glory of Kings

Proverbs 25:2 says,"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a thing."

I love to search out things. In the woods, in a new place, and in the kingdom of God. I believe that God likes questions, because He loves to answer them. I would encourage you today to ask Him some things. See if He may surprise you with His answer. He is hiding some things so that we may find them.

Sometimes I like to "hide" from my husband just to see if he thinks I'm worth finding. He usually does:) We are made in the image of God. How bad do you want to know Him? If we seek Him, He will reward us (Hebrews 11:6) and we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).

The Best Is Yet To Come

We buried my Grandmother yesterday, but it is even more important to realize that she left us a few days prior. I picture her dancing in His presence, free from struggles and oppression. Going through this time of loss, I realized some things. First, death is not as scary as I thought. If what I believe as a Christian is really true, then I ONLY have things to look forward to, not to dread.

Secondly, I realized that the only things in life that really matter are those people in whom we have invested, and the things we do for God. In front of my Grandmother's casket were her three children. Behind them, her grandchildren. In my heart, her words of wisdom and her legacy.

Brian and I are also planning on moving very soon. During this season, I have realized that we have to let go of the old things in order to step into the new. Philippians 3:13-14 comes to mind. It says, "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

It is an upward call, not downward. Anytime I start thinking "downward"--thoughts of not moving forward, hanging on to the past...It's like God says "Upward and Onward!"

In times like these, we come face to face with the reality of our faith. Do we really believe the best is yet to come? I choose to believe that today.

Looking Forward

Earlier today I just kept thinking about the good things God has in store for all of us. The word "Promises" came to mind. As I was checking my in-box, I got a devotional from Joel Osteen talking about that very subject.

We can look forward to all the good things He has for us. In His word He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He says we have a hope and a future. He says that He will withhold NO GOOD thing from those who walk uprightly.

But what about our own personal promises. Perhaps a word from someone older and wiser, or even better...a word about our future from God Himself. You may ask, "Could that really be God?" If it keeps coming back over and over it is probably God:)

Meditate on His promises to you today. If you have been going through a difficult time, this should lift your spirits!

Maintaining Peace

I am learning a lot right now about maintaining peace. It's so easy to want to demand our way, to focus on our "rights". The other day I was asking the Lord about a particular situation and I seemed to hear Him say, "You have to lay down your rights."

Jesus was the servant of all. He considered others first. I don't have many pet peaves, but since this is my own personal blog, I will ramble a bit about one in particular. Lack of integrity!!

My parents always taught me to return a phone call. They always taught me to consider the needs of others before my own needs. As I've stepped into the kingdom of God, I realize that simple practical things are VERY MUCH a part of being in the kingdom. I like what Joyce Meyer says, "You want to cast out demons, but you don't have authority over a sink full of dishes!" My favorite is when someone says, "I'll be there" then doesn't give enough consideration to make a call, send a text or whatever to say their plans have changed.

There will be times we get busy, distracted and forget to make that phone call. That's not what I'm talking about here. I'm talking about patterns in life that can hinder our ministry.

Well, I'm really soapy now from sliding around on my box, so I'll conclude with Romans 12:18. "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Obedience

Psalm 32:7 says, "You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

Verses 8-9 are the KEY: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you."

None of us hears God perfectly. 1 Corinthians 13:9 says that we know "in part". But we can do our best to obey what we believe He is speaking to us. We must take the first step and obey.

Here is the promise in verse 10b: "He who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him."
His mercy is there to catch us when we fall. His mercy is there to cover our mistakes. All he asks is that we obey.

Solomon Says

I really like this verse, because it brings the supernatural to earth. "There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink and make himself enjoy good in his labor. Even this, I have seen, is from the hand of God." Ecclesiastes 2:24

Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the big picture, that we forget to enjoy the little things in life. It is the little things that truly make life enjoyable. Personally, I hate to be in a rush. I like to take my time and enjoy whatever I am doing. As Vanilla Ice said in the 1990's "Anything less than the best is a felony." :)

I hope that you will pause today and enjoy whatever it is that you are doing. I will certainly try to do that myself, remembering that it is all from the hand of God!

Life Abundantly

One of my favorite verses is John 10:10, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." In Psalm 30, David says, "What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth and faithfulness to men?"

I believe that God wants us to have an abundant, victorious life. I read just last night, "Victory, by its very definition, overcomes every circumstance, every challenge and every obstacle."

God will give us what we need, and help us. This shows others around us that He is an awesome God!

Move

Yesterday when I was working, I heard a song playing in our office and today it came to me as I was waking up. The lyrics that spoke to me are as follows, "There's a dead end to my left
There's a burning bush to my right...

Or am I standing still?
Beneath the darkened sky
Or am I standing still?
With the scenery flying by
Or am I standing still?
Out of the corner of my eye
Was that you that passed me by?"

To me, the dead end represents the past--we can't go any further that way. It's over.
The "burning bush" represents the presence of God and what He's calling us to. It is scary sometimes! But if we don't move with Him, His best will pass us by. His love remains, but the choice is ours.
I pray that we can find strength to step out of our comfort zones when He calls us to--not to stand still, but to move.

Trials

I've been going through a trial recently, and the Lord reminded me of a verse I read a few weeks ago. Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. 5) Fear not for I am with you..."

Trials will come, but He will be with us through every one of them. I like the comment Joyce Meyer makes about trials, "I do know they are intended to strengthen you, to develop your character, to cause you to persevere, to sanctify you, to purify you, to teach you the unique lessons of suffering, to teach you the benefits and disciplines of sacrifice, and to make you a better person. You may cringe as you think about these things, but if you really want to fulfill your potential, you simply must be prepared to go through them.

In all these things, it is comforting to me to know that He is with me, the rivers will not overwhelm me, and I won't be burned by the fire. I feel the Lord strengthening me by His words today and I hope you will be strengthened as you reflect on this verse.

He's Got the Whole World...

In His hands. "For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills or upon the mountains where thousands are. I know and am acquainted with all the birds of the mountains, and the wild animals of the field are Mine and are with Me, in My mind. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine." -Psalm 50:10-12

It's amazing to know that God says even the animals are "in My mind." I am reminded of Romans 8:32 which says, "He who did not withhold or spare [even]His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?

He owns it all. Whatever you may be needing today or whatever I may be needing today--He has it available. Getting out of debt, paying the bills, relationships, healing-whatever we may need, He has it all. I am also reminded that he says in Matthew 6:33 that we are to seek FIRST His kingdom and righteousness and all "these things" will be added unto us. May God's abundant provision be lavished upon you today.

Security

Psalm 25:2 says, "O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. Let me not be put to shame or [my hope in You] be disappointed; let not my enemies triumph over me."

This past year I have had to learn where my security is truly found. I know we've all experienced disappointment in our lives at some point. I sense the Lord saying, " Will you give me a second chance?" Not that He has failed us by any means, but that WE must dare to put our hope in Him all over again. Perhaps before our hope was in a person, but we became upset with God when that human being failed us. At our conference a few months ago, Bill Johnson said that insecurity was only mis-placed security. Today I'm choosing to hope in God, and I know that I will not be disappointed. I hope you find the courage to do the same!

For a moment...

Psalm 30:5 says, "For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Trials are seasonal. I don't think the Lord meant for our lives to be one big trial. We can have peace in the midst of the storm.

Joy comes in the morning! Keep holding on. Brian and I were talking about the song by Third Day that says, "There's a light at the end of this tunnel for you...so keep holding on!" Keep holding on.