Share!

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice.  And I know that same faith continues strong in you.

2 Timothy 1:5

Who are you sharing your faith with?  At home are you teaching your children and grandchildren the stories and promises found in the bible?  Do you have discussions with your spouse and friends about the great things the Lord is doing in your life?  Timothy was brought up in a divided household.  His father was most likely not a believer but his mother and grandmother were.  They were not afraid to share with Timothy the things they had learned, and the beliefs they had adopted listening to Paul preach.  Had they not, the world would have missed out on a great teacher and friend in Timothy.  We cannot hide our light at home and with the people closest to us.  It is our responsibility to share the good things about Christ in our daily discussions and with our parents, children, siblings, spouses and friends.    

Think back on your own life.  Who was it that shared their faith with you?  How did they impact your faith today? Think on these people and on the impact you are leaving for your loved ones.  God has given us each stories and gifts to share with the people all around us.  What is too good in your life to keep to yourself?  How can you start using the gifts God has given you to help strengthen another's faith?  God can use us to make disciples.  He can use us to encourage new believers.  

This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:6-7

Don't let your flame die.  Fuel that fire!  Get it burning brightly for all your family and friends to see.  Don't be afraid to share your gifts and stories of faith!  

Holy Words

"Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." Isaiah 6:6-7

Isaiah was a prophet of God. He had just seen through a vision, the beauty and holiness of God. In reverent fear, Isaiah expected to die because in seeing God's holiness, Isaiah became more aware of his own sinfulness. As he cried out in fear, a seraphim (angel) touched Isaiah's lips with a hot coal, pronouncing Isaiah's lips as clean and holy. It was not the coal that cleansed Isaiah, rather it was God himself that offered Isaiah cleanliness.

As I read this passage today, I had to think that I too am a woman of unclean lips. When I get upset, I often say things I shouldn't. I repeat things that aren't mine to repeat. I laugh at jokes or comments in which God would find no humor. It is my prayer today that God forgive me for the things I've said or the inappropriate laughter that has passed over my lips.

Ephesians 5:3-4 in the Message Translation says this:
"Though some tongues just love the ease of gossip, Christians have better uses for language than that. Don't talk dirty or silly. That kind of talk doesn't fit our style. Thanksgiving is our dialect."

Dear Lord,
Unwholesome talk is such a part of our culture. We hear it on the radio, see it on TV, witness it in the supermarket and even in the church parking lot. It is my prayer today that you begin a cultural change starting with me. Make me more fully aware of how I talk. When my words are unholy speak to my heart so that I can repent and correct my words. Let my words be praise and thanksgiving! Amen and Amen

Making Tough Decisions

God, investigate my life; 

get all the facts firsthand.

I'm an open book to you;

even from a distance, you know 

what I'm thinking.

You know when I leave and when 

I get back;

I'm never out of your sight.

You know everything I'm going to say

before I start the first sentence. 

I look behind me and you're there,

then up ahead and you're there too-

your reassuring presence,

coming and going.

This is too much, too wonderful-

I can't take it all in!

Psalm 139:1-7 

I'm currently going through a process.  I'm weighing out some facts and making big decisions that will have an impact on my future and the future of others.  I am having difficulty knowing God's plan for my life........taking a break from one good thing to pursue another.  How do we ever know exactly what God is asking of us?  As I have questions for myself, it is clear that my heart is torn, not between good and bad.....light and darkness, but between two good things that will have lasting impact on other people.  As I attempt to say goodbye to one good season of my life I fall into feelings of guilt (which by the way has absolutely no scriptural basis and comes straight from the devil himself) and I start to question whether I am doing the right thing.  What is it that God really wants from me?  Will I make Him mad if I change directions to pursue a dream He has laid on my heart by letting go of another dream that He laid on my heart years earlier?  I can never know, for sure what God is thinking or what His plan is.  I can never fully understand the way He works and the reason behind changing seasons and changing hearts.  I just know that I have a God of patience and second chances.  I have a God who knows my every move before I make it.  He knows the words that will come out of my mouth before I say them.  He knows where I am and what I'm thinking before I do.  God cannot be surprised by my decisions.  He can't be disappointed by what I choose because nothing catches Him off guard.  My God knows every move I will make and so He has planned accordingly.   Obviously there are consequences waiting for me when I make the wrong choice......... when I choose to go against His character and will for my life.  Some will be hard to take and others will gently redirect my life.  But the key is not making the right or wrong choice, the key to God's love and will for us is that He gives us a choice.  He gives us a brain and reasoning skills to make choices that will benefit us and His Kingdom.  When we are walking closely with Him and trying to make do the right thing, whether we choose A or B, may not always matter.  God has a plan for the choices we make, and if we love Him, he promises to make good come from our mistakes and mess-ups.  There is always something for us to learn and ways for us to grow.  Nothing is waisted!  God can use it all if we are willing to let Him.  

Dear God, help me to trust this love you have for me.  I want to believe that you will not be disappointed in my choices as I try to follow your will for me.  When I make mistakes show me the way to fix it, when I get off course, show me the way back to you.  Lord, I want nothing more than to live with you, and for you, the rest of my days on earth.  As I make choices with this brain you gave me know that my heart is seeking the right things and my mind is fixed on doing your will.  Amen  

Freed to Serve!

 It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then? Galatians 5:13-15 MSG

Jesus did not free us to live a life of serving our flesh. Freedom in Christ isn't freedom to do whatever we want, but rather He frees us so that we aren't slaves to our old selfish nature any longer. He frees us to look out for the interests of others: seeing that they know his unconditional love, seeing that they have food on their tables and friendship for the unloved and unloveable. Christ's freedom is freedom to live for Him and be his hands and feet. It's freedom to laugh at simple things and smile because we are loved by Him. He frees us from our old thoughts and habits. He frees us to be who he created to be.... LIKE HIM! The longer we walk with Christ the more we should look like him. Our hearts should break for those who are broken. Our tears should fall for the ones who are hurting and can't find relief. Our feet should rush in to help the widow and the one whose spouse left them alone and rejected. Our hands should reach out to offer love and support to the single parent or the parent whose child is rebelling and lost. Freedom in Christ is freedom to leave this world behind and live a life of serving and giving. 

Sunday Scripture

You groped your way through the murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true- these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what pleases Christ, and then do it! Ephesians 5:8-10 MSG

Sing Along Saturday

I woke up from a very vivd dream that immediately put today's song on my mind.  In my dream, without giving you all the details, I was part of a group of people fighting for God.  We were standing on His promises and preserving His Word in a world of people who just didn't believe anymore.  We made people mad by the things we said and believed and we lost some good friends in the process.  People looked at us as though we were aliens and didn't want to believe a word we spoke.  Some people joined us but others walked away.  And hasn't that been the case since time began?  God and especially His son, Jesus, have been at the center of controversy for years and years.  There are those who live their life completely for God, others who could care less, and then a million others who don't know where they stand.  With all the things happening in the world today, it is time to stand by our God and share His Good News with the people around us.  It is time to step up to the plate and show people who we live for.  It is time to look different!  No more joining forces with society and worldly standards.  It's time to take back our lives and our homes!  

Courageous is a song with very meaningful words asking men to stand up and take back their role as leaders in their homes.  And even though it is addressed to men, there is no reason women can't do the same.  It is meant to inspire all christian men and women to be courageous.  To make tough decisions for themselves and their families that go against what the world says.  It is calling us all to be courageous God seekers and followers.  

Be inspired today with this song!  Sing it as an offering to God as you go about your day.  Seek this courage!  Make a decision to join the battle!

Courageous by Casting Crowns  

Trials Grow Our Faith

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:2-4, NIV).

It's hard to understand why trials come, but this verse assures us that God is watching and knows what we are facing. He will never allow a circumstance, large or small, that he can't use to increase our faith. If life were just a piece of cake, we wouldn't need a strong faith. If nothing ever went wrong, we would become proud and not need to depend on the Lord. However, he created us to love and enjoy us. He also created us so we could choose to love and enjoy him! Our trials should draw us nearer to him. They should teach us to persevere in our faith, continually seeking him so that we develop greater character and a deeper faith. 

Dear Lord,
The trials of this life often catch us off guard. I pray that if this is a time of calm in our life that we are continuing to dig deep in your word and learning your promises. I pray that we are preparing for a day of battle by knowing your truths and resting in your arms so that when trials come, you are easy to find because we are so close to you. You promise to carry us through trials and use them for our good. I am so thankful that you are a God who keeps his promises! Amen

Look And You Will Find

For everyone who asks, receives.  Everyone who seeks, finds.  And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 7:8

This simple verse was part of my devotion this morning and as I read it I was reminded that God always answers.  When I go to Him in prayer, He answers.  When I search His Word, He gives me wisdom.  When I call out to Him, His presence gives me peace.  When I go looking for Him, He is there and opens the door to let me in on His beauty and promises.  

My answers aren't always what I want to hear.  I sometimes find Him in the most unexpected places.  He speaks to me through some of the most surprising scripture passages.  His promises never ever stop amazing me.  God is everything we dream He is.  He is everything we look for in a genuine, loyal friend,  but we must trust that with all our being.  When we are in need, He is there, sometimes easier to find than others.  When we want answers, his answers aren't always the answers we want to hear, but they direct us and teach us.  When the door opens, it may not be the door we expected, but He is listening ever so carefully to our knocking.  God knows what's best for us.  We can rest in Him and trust where He takes us, and what He teaches us along the way.    

Dear God, as I come to you daily, seeking answers and guidance I know that I can trust you.  I look to you with anticipation knowing that you will hear me and direct me.  Help me when the answers aren't what I expect and when the door isn't the door I wanted opened.  Give me strength and boldness to stick with your plan, trusting in you to take me where I need to be, and to teach me what I need to know.  Thank you for loving me in ways I can't even comprehend!  I never want to do this life without you.....Amen and Amen  

Get Over It!

Some days are just hard! I don't understand it, and often I don't want to relive them. But, some days in life are just so difficult! I've had a few of those recently. They were the kind of days that leave your mind reeling, your understanding now perplexed, and the path you thought you were on is now a bit jaded and obscure. These days are not just frustrating, but scary.

But on these days we can't give up or give in! We can't skirt life's trials! We have to get over them! And often the way to get over them is to plow head down straight through them.

Wise King Solomon tells us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Even when we don't understand, even when the rug is pulled out from under our feet and the trials of life hit us so hard we cannot stand, we must choose to look up and see HIs face. God knows what is going on, and where he is leading us. He will never take us to a place that separates us from him, but he will allow us to go to places that challenge our faith, increase our courage and allow us to build our character. It's in the challenges and uncertainties that we find him at his greatest!

Whatever you face today, trust that it is Father filtered. No, He doesn't cause you harm. If you are harmed that's not from God. That comes from the evil in the world, but he does allow you to experience things that will afford you the opportunity to reach out to find him at deeper and deeper levels! So whatever you face today, look up, take his hand, and allow Him to walk you through it!

Dear Lord-
I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don’t let me down! I’ll run the course you lay out for me if you’ll just show me how.    Psalm 119:30 MSG
Amen and Amen

Completed Faith

You see, his faith and his actions worked together.  His actions made his faith complete.

James 3:21

Abraham had faith in God.  His faith was so strong that he moved when God said to move, and he followed all that God asked of him.  He was even willing to sacrifice his son.  Abraham's actions made his faith complete. 

 Is your faith complete?  When you spend time with God daily do you listen to the things He asks of you?  Do you hear God's direction in your life and make choices to follow His leading?  Do your actions prove a complete faith in God and Jesus Christ?

Friends, it isn't enough to know God's Word.  It isn't enough to know the right thing to do or say.  Our faith is only made complete in the things we choose to do for God.  Our faith is completed through acting on God's guidance.  Our faith is made complete when we help the sick and feed the poor........when we take care of orphans and widows.  When we follow the commands God has given through His Word it proves that we believe in what God says.  It proves that we love Him and honor the position He holds in our lives, and deep within our hearts.  Love is an action!  Loving God is acting on all the things He has told us to do.  Our faith is shown through our love and made complete with every action we make in honor of His Word to us.

Dear God,  I want to prove to you that my love is genuine.  I want to act on the things you say and make my choices based on your Word.   Help me to live boldly like Abraham, sure of your promises and direction.  Give me strength to do what my heart knows is right, and to make my faith complete.

amen 

Time For A Spa Day!

To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.  In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Isaiah 61:3

It is time to hand over those dirty, smelly ashes and claim the beauty that God has for each and every one of us.  Grab your bible and head to His Word for a spa day!  Friend, you can't keep carrying those ashes everywhere you go, thinking of your past mistakes and the ugly person you may have been.  Today is the day you will hand over those thoughts, sweep up those ashes, and throw them deep into the trash.  Don't look back, don't go digging them up........just leave them there for good!  God promises to make beauty from our past, if we are willing to let Him.  When we head to the spa do we want to come home looking ugly, feeling tired and yucky about ourselves?  Heck no!  A spa day is for renewal and rejuvenation!  There we will let someone pamper us, helping us look and feel our best.  So dig in to your Bible, allow God to do the same with His word.  Read his promises of renewal and love.  Let God pamper you with His kind words and amazing grace!  Walk away feeling refreshed and beautiful claiming Whose you are.  Don't look back at your past but schedule your next visit to go deeper with Jesus Christ.  Make the Spa part of your daily routine and feel beautiful everyday!  

Dear God, thank you for your promise of beauty from ashes.  Thank you for loving me so much you would give me many chances at renewal, and have so much patience with me.  I want to follow your ways and I want to be beautiful again!  As I go to your word speak to me in ways that move me.  Show me the things I need to work on and reveal to me the great promises that you have for me.  Help me to manage my time so I can fit a spa day into my routine daily.  In Jesus' Name    amen

  

Sing Along Saturday

No matter what fear or trouble you are facing right now I want you to know that God is with you.  When you are tired, sick, sad or mad the source of your strength lies in the One who picks you up and places you on His shoulders.  When you just can't go on or when you are confused and paralyzed by your situation God can lift you up and carry you.  Keep trusting that your life will get better.  Believe that he has something special just for you and count on Him to give you strength when you are weak.  Enjoy this song today, and over and over give thanks, acknowledging the Big Strong Shoulder on which you rest.  

Shoulders by For King and Country

Choose Joy

Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;  Let those who love Your name be joyful in You.

-Psalm 5:11-

Recent circumstances in my life have given me plenty to be sad about, like saying good bye to a foster child.........and scared about, like welcoming a new foster child.  Earlier this summer I was disappointed when my daughter broke her leg, sad for the things she would have to miss.  I have experienced moments of anger when someone in my life was hurting at the hand of another, and confusion stirs in my heart over recent news stories of hate, abortion and same sex marriage.  So many hurts and pain in this world, it really is impossible to avoid any of it.  This is why we must put our trust in the Lord.  This is why even in the hardest situation we need to find our place of joy, in Him.  Choosing joy over our circumstance doesn't always come easy.  When we lose something, or someone we really love it is hard to be joyful.  When our pain is so fresh and deep, finding joy is near impossible, especially if our trust is in the world, in other people or man made devices.  Being joyful when all we ever hear about is pain and destruction gets very difficult.  But God defends His children and He is forever working out His plans to benefit those who love Him.  So today, no matter what your circumstance, can you choose joy?  Can you look at your pain or fear and say, "I choose joy over you, today, because my trust is in Jesus Christ my savior"................"I choose joy because any other feeling will cause me more hurt and despair..........Any other feeling of negativity will cause me to move farther away from God in this time when I need him most.........Any other feeling is not what God wants from me."  God has equipped us to stand tall over our situations.  He gives us the ability to be joyful in the midst of trial, but only if we go to the source of this strength.  Hand over the problems and choose wisely..............choose joy!

Dear God,

Help me to look beyond my problems today.  Let me hand over my fears and hurt because you defend me.  I love your name and who you are.  I put my trust in you and choose to rest in joy today.  Amen

      

"My Thoughts and My Ways"

"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord.  "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55:8-9

Are you like me when it comes to trying to figure God out?  When things happen, good or bad, do you try to see God's purpose for them?  Do you look at your situation and try to find God's hand in it, and do you search for answers to its outcome?  Today I was reminded that no matter what I come up with I have a very good chance of being completely mistaken.  I am gently put back in my place as God tells me to stop trying to figure everything out.  He says, "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts" as though to say......"stop trying to always figure Me out and just trust that I know best".  Is it wrong for me to see God's hand in my life?  Absolutely not, but I am finding it is wrong to assume what He is doing or where He is going with my situation.  God works in ways we can never understand.  He uses things to benefit us that we could never imagine.  He allows things to happen that no human could ever turn to good even if we had superpowers!  When we try to figure God's plan out we are laying aside our trust in Him.  We are trying to take over and get the answers before God is ready to give them to us.  When we look at our situation that is all we see.  We don't see God's big picture, and the many missing pieces that don't directly involve us.  We don't see that he works things our for all creation that started the day the world began.  He holds the master plan that began at creation and continues to the day Jesus returns.  Our God is a good God.  He is the only God!  He loves us in a way no one can!  He knows us in a way that is impossible to comprehend!  Let's leave the plan in His hands.  Let's sit back and watch Him work without getting too far ahead of Him.        

Prepare For Battle

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Proverbs 21:31

What battles do you face today and what have you done to prepare?  It is true that God fights our battles.  The glory is His when we come out a winner, but it is still our job to prepare.  He uses our skills and our preparation to fight the battle.  It may be a mental fight that you have within, a fight with illness, an uphill battle against a busy schedule, or the fight to get out of bed in the morning.  Everyone experiences a battle, sometimes on a daily basis. Preparing for our battle is what gives us the strength to stand patiently while God fights for us, while we put our trust in his amazing ability to carry us through, even in the toughest of fights.  Having the skills and wisdom we need to succeed will make the fight less tiresome.  How do we train, like the horse, to be ready for battle?  Trusting God is the most important tool in our fight, and training our mind to trust is the most important thing we can do to prepare and assure that we stand firm during the battle.  Training our minds requires us to know God's promises.  Spending time in God's word will help us to call on scripture when the battle gets heated.  Knowing what God says in times of fear and despair can calm our worries and strengthen our hearts.  So let's take control of the outcome of our battles.  Yes, God will bring us victory, but let's give Him something to work with!    

A Letter Of Refreshment

Like a cool drink of water when you're warn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.

Proverbs 25:25

Just imagine how good it feels to get a letter from a friend in the mail, a personal letter asking you how you've been, showing great concern for your well being, wishing you love and blessings.  It feels good to know that someone cares about you.  It warms your heart to feel love through a kind letter or card sent by a friend.  God created us all for relationship and although friends come and go, the healthy relationships are never to be forgotten.  So often I get caught up in the close friends I have currently, and I forget all the special people who walked me along my journey leading to where I am today.  I want to encourage you to remember the special people you have shared memories with and pick one or two to send an encouraging note to.  God says hearing from a long lost friend is like taking a drink of ice cold water on the hottest day of the year.  It renews the strength of a weary worn out soul.  We may not be able to do much but we all have paper and a pen.  

God Our Partner

God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and every groan.

Psalm 34:15

It is usually easy to read when a friend is in distress.  We can see it in their eyes, or in the way they talk, that something is bothering them.  If the friendship is close enough we may even be asked to help them through a difficult situation.  When we see our friends hurting it is only natural to want to help them feel better.  We want to fix their hurt and make sure the next time we see them, their smile has returned.  But what if those feelings are masked?  What if we haven't seen the friend in a few days and he has hidden his true feelings and thoughts?  What if the hurt is so deep that we can't see it, it has never been exposed?  

We can trust God with our friends at all times.  God is our constant guard.   He knows everything about His children and the pain that they carry deep within them.  He knows every distress signal and every warning sign.  He picks up on every moan and groan!  I am encouraged today knowing that some things aren't for my fixing.  That some things are meant to be only seen by God.  I can't take away all the pain and hurt my friend's experience but I can trust that God will.  Knowing He is watching when I can't, or providing when I am far away gives me peace.  I will never stop keeping a close watch on my friends, but I am at peace knowing that I have a partnership with God in my friendships.  I know He is watching over my friends way better than I could ever do on my own.

Dear God, thank you for being my partner when it comes to watching over the people I love dearly.  When I can't be with a friend, you are there watching her every move.  When things are hidden from me, they are always revealed to you.  I can rest knowing that you are in control of every person I hold dear to my heart and you have a plan to help them and take care of them.  I give you my life and the people in it, Lord.  In Jesus' Name.......Amen   

  

Sunday Scripture

My child, pay attention to what I say.  Listen carefully to my words.  Don't lose sight of them.  Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 

Proverbs 4:20-22

Show Me Who I Am

But Moses protested to God, "Who am I to appear before Pharaoh?  Who am I to lead the people out of Egypt?"

Exodus 3:11

I have a lot on my mind today and I am sorting through many things.  I am seeing God work in amazing ways, though, and I am encouraged in my faith to keep going forward on my journey to know Him intimately.  So many times in my walk I have asked God who I am.......who he wants me to be and today is no different.  I ask Him, who am I to head up a ministry for women,  who am I to write a blog or encourage a friend in her faith, who am I?  Like Moses, I sometimes doubt the strength of God in me, and I forget that all the good I do comes from Him.  I need His reassurance that I am on the right track, or that I have what it takes to accomplish His plan for my life.  There are days I am willing and excited to take on a specific role, and then there are days I am scared to death to move forward.  I can see an unknown future ahead and I get scared of what is to come, I question my worth, my identity and my ability to follow through........today is one of those days.  Chances are, some of you are having a day like mine, and I want to encourage you that you are not alone.  You are not the only person scared of the future God has planned for you.  You are not the only person wondering how this mess you are in can ever come out good.  You are not the only person questioning your identity and doubting your abilities to carry on such a huge mission.......raising young children to know the Lord, caring for an elderly parent, quitting your comfortable job, moving to another state or country.......place your fears here________________.  It is okay to question who you are as long as it takes you deeper into trusting God and finding your identity lies in Him alone.  God is many things, He takes on many roles for all people and He lives within our hearts!  Through Him we have the power to be amazing and do amazing things!  As I question how I will ever deal with what is on my plate, I will always find my way back to Him and know that all I am lies in who He is.

Dear God, you gave me more than I can handle this morning and I need time to sort it all out.  I don't want to doubt the strength you give me and who I am in You, but sometimes Your great power and magnitude scare me.  I want to hand over my fears, once more, and find who I am in you alone.  Show me that I am smart enough, pretty enough, strong enough, patient enough, only enough, and ready for this next journey.  Give me your peace and courage to continue moving forward.  Amen     

Depend On God And Search For Him

The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.

Lamentations 3:25

To depend on someone means to rely on him.  When we depend on God, we need Him, or require Him for support in our daily life or in a specific situation.  To search for God means that we look for Him, seeking carefully and thoroughly until we find His presence in our daily life or circumstance.  God says, in Lamentations, that He will be good to those who depend on Him and search for Him.  Search your heart and answer these questions:  

1.  Do you depend on God and search for him in all areas of your life? 

2.  Do you need Him to plan your day or make a decision?

3.  Do you examine what He says about your situation and the things that concern you? 

4.  Do you carefully search His Word daily and apply it to your life?

Friends, yes, God loves us and wants what is best for our life, but if we aren't interested in Him, then why would we ever expect His goodness to fall on us?  We must be willing to give more than we take from God.  We have to be active in our relationship with Him and be aware of His teachings and call on our life.  It isn't easy finding time to search God, and it can be uneasy and difficult relying on God, but it is the only way He will shower goodness on us.  If you want to experience His goodness in your life then you must let go and depend on God and commit to searching Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.  We must be willing to let go and give Him full authority in our lives!

Dear God, life can sweep in and take over in a blink of an eye.  Help me to stay focused and committed to relying on you and searching for your help in my daily life.  I want to feel your goodness in my life and share it with others.  Guide me today into a deep relationship that gives you full authority in my life.  Teach me to search you first in all I do and to rely on your guidance.....to trust in your plan.  In Jesus' Name....Amen              

A Cord of 3 Strands

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

(‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9-12‬ NIV)

Sing Along Saturday

July 4th in America brings fireworks, hotdogs, family and friends.  We thank all the people who have served to give us freedom since the birth date of America many years ago.  As we celebrate our great country's freedom, let's not forget the freedom we have in Christ.  We thank our founders and our soldiers who fought for our freedom to do great and amazing things to further the Kingdom of God.  Jesus Christ, our savior, died a horrible death for us to have an amazing free life in Him.  This song give me chills today as I realize the price paid for me, when I was still a sinner.  I lift up all the soldiers who fought for me, who didn't even know me, whether I was a sinner or saint......they served me and gave me freedom.  Praise God!  Thank you!  Amen and Amen!

I Am Free by Newsboys

Teaming with Fish

And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day. Genesis 1:20-23

I had the joy of meeting my daughters and the grandbabies at the zoo yesterday. It was a delight to watch the kids as they looked at the variety of animals. We talked about their names and how they were alike and different. But it wasn't until we were in the aquarium that God's creativity hit me once again. I am often amazed at the diversity with which God created the world. As we looked in the aquarium we saw dozens of fish. Varied colors. Varied patterns. Varied fins. They all had similarities, yet had their own uniqueness.
But what made me smile was that God created them by simply speaking. He created them from nothing and there they were! And he did it all in a day!
I am reminded of the power of His spoken word in the Bible. I don't know how it is done, but I know that reading the Bible creates new people. It transforms them, maybe not completely in a day, but in one day God can turn a heart around and head it back home. I just love that about him!

Dear ,Lord,
You're so creative and powerful. Thank you for your creation. Thank you for your gift of nature. God as I so often do I pray that you will draw us into the word so that we can learn to see your hand in the world around us.
I love you!

Forgiveness Is Not Acquitting

Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent - both are detestable to God.

Proverbs 19:19

So often we think that forgiving someone is forgetting the hurt they caused us.  Society has us to believe that forgiving means we have to forget all that happened and accept the person back into our lives and forgetting or even overlooking the hurt that took place.  Without writing for hours I want to explain just this little part of forgiveness, a part that goes a long way in freeing someone to forgive.  I believe so often that aside from not accepting forgiveness in our own lives and seeing our own sin, the thought of wiping away the hurt that someone caused us, and forgetting it didn't happen, makes our willingness to forgive almost non-existent.  Friends, I want you to know that forgiveness is more for you, realizing your own sin and need for forgiveness should lead to seeing that same need in the sinner's eyes.  You should only forgive because you are forgiven and you are a christian seeking to be Christ-like in all you do.  We should forgive as God forgives and that means no strings attached, but it also means there are still consequences for the sinner that hurt you.  David still lost his son after he repented of his sin, murdering Uriah (2 Samuel 12:14).  There will still be human consequences to sin and it may just be that consequence is not being friends with the person who hurt you, leaving the boyfriend who hit you, divorcing the husband who had an affair.  (Only God can tell you what to do in these situations.  Seek his Word and the help of a professional to know what is best in your specific situation.)  Even if these people are repentant you still don't have to jump into mending your relationship.  Especially if it is toxic and unhealthy for you or others involved.  We will all run into people or friends, in our lives who hurt us and lie to us or put us down and it is our choice whether that friendship continues or if it needs a break.  Forgiving isn't pretending the offense didn't happen.  Like in the verse above......acquitting is freeing someone of the criminal charge and with that you free them from the consequences of their actions.  If you free someone who is guilty they will never learn from their wrong and they will have a much harder time changing and turning away from their sin.  When we overlook someone's sin against us then the person will never be held accountable for his or her actions and will not be given the choice to change.  Only when they are confronted will they need to make a choice.  Letting the guilty off without punishment is as harmful as punishing an innocent person!  God detests both equally.  We must check our motives first!  If we are after revenge then our hearts aren't ready and we must spend time with God offering up our pain and hurt.  Revenge is different than natural consequence.  Revenge is sin and God says to let Him be the final judge and let Him get revenge (Romans 12:19).  But if we truly can say we love the person who hurt us and we want what is best for him, if we care about his salvation, then we must be willing to allow consequences and set new boundaries.  All can be used to redirect the sinner from his sinful choices and help him to get back to God.  

Friends, this isn't an easy topic.  There are so many situations that make forgiving hard but we want to help you understand it and apply it in your life.  There is so much more to know and learn about forgiveness.  If you are interested in the whole study please email us at godfirstfriends@gmail.com and we will be glad to send it to you.