March 6, 2024
That desire to live differently; the small glimpses; the hopes and dreams...
We all have them, don't we? I'm not sure exactly what it looks like or even how to get there, but I'm stepping out on FAITH. I'm trying something different. God is sovereign. He knows it all. He sees the big picture. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) states, " '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.' " I believe God. He has given me dreams and hope for the future. I'm counting on him to work out all of the details.
Do you trust God? I mean really trust Him with your whole life? Past, present and future?
April 5, 2024
Reflecting...How does God want me to live today?
Wow! It's good to be back here with you. Almost a month has passed since I started this blog. That was not my intention when I started it. I wanted to post at least once a week, if not daily. Then the busyness of life set in. The doubts came. Lies from the devil swirled in my mind. As time passed, I felt like such a failure. I wondered if anyone even cared to read what I felt God was leading me to share.
Other Christians face similar struggles too. So often these struggles are not talked about. They are hidden; behind the scenes so to speak. It is easy to look at others and compare; to diminish ourselves to the point that we think we have nothing to offer. However, that is far from the truth. We are all valuable in God's kingdom.
1Corinthians 12:12-27
"For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: and those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
After having some time to reflect, I have been reminded that I have a purpose. My purpose is not the same as yours. Yours is not the same as mine. However, all of us have an important part as members of the body of Christ.
I choose not to let my failures or shortcomings keep me from obeying God. He has called me to this. God is in the process of sanctifying all of his children. We will not reach perfection on this side of eternity. When I fall, he picks me up. I must be willing to take a step forward to move from where I am to where he wants me to be. Just one step at a time. I choose to trust God's timing and not my own as I continually surrender to his will.
Are you willing to take one step at a time in obedience to God?
June 1, 2024
Rejoice in the Lord
Philippians 4:4
" Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say Rejoice."
This is my true desire; to have pure joy regardless of circumstances.
I was blessed to have not one, but two vacations this year. My daughter and I returned home late last night after a very relaxing week. I refrained from packing multiple books that I might have read on vacation. Instead I downloaded a book onto my Kindle App and thoroughly enjoyed hours of reading. Oh how I've missed getting lost in a book!
Upon waking this morning, I was tempted to go back to sleep. As I lay there feeling tired, I pondered on what to tackle first. Unmotivated to do anything yet, I took a relaxing bubble bath. Honestly, I was feeling a bit down, but I have no reason to feel that way. My blessings are many and my cup is full.
After making myself a creamy protein smoothie, I decided to come outside to spend some time with God. The swing I wanted to lay on has a puddle of water on it. My other swing that I'm currently sitting on is covered in some type of unknown growth. My first reaction was to run to the store for lawn furniture. What better reason than to enjoy time with God outside, right? But, I decided against that for now. So I'm sitting on this swing, feeling very grateful. As always, God has given me exactly what I need for this moment.
" Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. " Philippians 4:4"
" casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; " 2 Corinthians 10:5
Every day we have many choices. I am learning to choose better; to choose God. I will not allow a momentary feeling or thought to distract me from what God has called me to. Satan will use anything to distract us from God, even a moldy swing...lol
1 Timothy 6:12
" Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. "
Will you fight with me? Fight the negative thoughts and distractions?
- Choose joy
- Stay focused on God
- Do not allow Satan to distract you