God Knows What We Need

"When God places people in your life who are in need, He is aware of what they lack, and He knows He has given you the resources to meet those needs."*

These were the first words I read this morning after I had just poured out my fears and anxieties about welcoming a baby into our home, again.  With each child we bring I tend to get more anxious about my ability to provide for them and have the energy and time to manage a house with 4 kids.  I think ahead of the moment and tend to feel anxious over things that haven't even happened, nor do I know will happen.  I usually have to hand over my thoughts a million times and trust that God is in control.  

He came to my rescue, again, with these perfect words to calm my fears and remind me that whatever situation He puts me in He also provides a way to succeed and even lead those in my path closer to a relationship with him.  God knows what we need whether we are the providers in a situation or we are the ones needing help.  He follows us every day knowing our weakness' and strengths putting us in situations that either provide us with the things we lack, or where we can share the things we have.  Everything falls under His provision!  Today He gave me renewed strength and hope!  I am so blessed to get to talk with Him and feel His presence in my life every moment I choose to put my trust in Him.  Friends, if you are facing uncertainty........pour your hearts out to God.  Give him all your doubts and fears and wait for His answer.  Listen for His encouragement and provision in your situation and trust that everything will be okay.

Dear God, thank you for giving me peace this morning; for talking to me through my devotions and showing that you are listening to my cries for help.  You are my rock and I will count on you to keep me grounded and at peace with your will.  In Jesus' Name.....Amen    







(Pg. 181, June 29th entry of Experiencing God Day By Day)

Sunday Scripture

"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the hearts." Hebrews 4:12

Sing Along Saturday

Sometimes our cries for God's help are better than a Hallelujah.  We pour out our miseries.....God just hears a melody........

Nothing I can say will compare to the words of this song and so I leave you with these beautiful words sung by Amy Grant.

Better Than A Hallelujah

Go ahead take your fears and frustrations to God and cry out to him in your desperation.  He loves to hear His children in need cry out for him......He dreams to save you from your pain and show you His amazing love and provision.  

But Do You Know Jesus?

John 3:16-18 MSG  “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.


A few days ago I blogged about going to Niagra Falls, and how I felt overwhelmed by God's power and tender love. I am still smiling about that experience and peek back at my pictures frequently to see the beauty and relive the moments in his majestic presence.

It was so easy to believe in God when you experience him in nature. However, as I praised and prayed this week, I had to wonder how many people believe in God, but do not know his son in a personal relationship. As Christians, our faith is not in God alone. Even satan believes in God, but that will not save his soul. We place our lives in the hands of God's one and only son, Jesus Christ. We are forgiven and made righteous before God because of Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus is our Savior, our Redeemer and friend.  As we study the scriptures, it is Jesus that shows us the way to the Father. It is also His Spirit within us that convicts and directs us in our lives. We believe in a triune God- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is through a real relationship with Jesus- talking together, crying together, learning the intimate details of one another, responding to His commands in love- that we work out our salvation.

I'm not sure where you are today in your faith walk, Dear Friend, but belief in God alone is not enough. He longs for you to have a relationship with him through his son, Jesus Christ. If you need encouragement or support, please email us. We would love to pray with you and support you in your journey.

email: godfirstfriends@gmail.com

Through Suffering

Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

2 Corinthians 4:10

Our moments of suffering and difficulty are the times when we can show Jesus in us.  When we hide those sufferings and keep our pain and trials hidden,  no one can see God's ability to bring forth healing and restoration.  When we always pretend that things are okay and try to keep up a picture perfect life then no one will see God working in our life.  It is when we share in Jesus' suffering by admitting our fears and hurts; through our weakness people can see the power of God that gets us through our painful circumstance. When they know we can't stand on our own they will wonder what helps us stand.   From our weak body people around us can see Jesus' body rise and give us hope, strength and the energy to stand tall.  When they know that our bodies are fragile and weak then they will see Jesus holding us together.  Friends, don't be afraid of weakness.  Don't shy away from sharing your pain and struggles.  Instead, embrace them.  Let God show you were you are weak and be glad to share in the sufferings of Christ in order to presence of Jesus in you.

Dear God thank you for being my rock and my source of all hope.  You give me strength when I am weak and you are always faithful to help me.  When I suffer let it be with great hope in you that I can share that suffering with the world.  Give me boldness to admit my weakness and let your light shine when I am tired and unable to go any further.  Let people see Jesus in me.  Amen

God's Mighty Power

 

Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens.

You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God! Psalm 68:34-35

In a recent trip to Niagra Falls, I stood in awe of our amazing God. We stood at the side of the river and listened to the roar of the water as it crashed over the edge. We literally had to shout at one another as the water roared. It was incredible and made me smile instantly thinking about hearing God's mighty voice and that the sound of this fall was nothing compared to the magnified thunder of his voice! Yet, right next to this mighty fall, tender flowers bloomed and called out to the gentle nature of a loving God.

We proceeded to go down to the base of the falls. Decked out in our yellow ponchos we headed down the path to stand beneath the waterfall. The water was a mist at first, but the closer we got to the base of the fall the more the wind picked up. Not that it was a windy day, but the rush of the water created a forceful, mighty wind. Then we arrived at the base! I stood facing away from the fall and let the freezing cold water crash against my back. I had to brace myself against its force. It pounded against my back threatening to knock me down. I couldn't stop smiling! I was getting just a tiny glimpse of the power of MY GOD! 

Why do I worry? Why do I doubt? My God is mighty. He has already provided me with a path of righteousness though his son's death and resurrection. He has already gone before me and will not leave me abandoned. My God is mighty in power! 

Lord, 

Forgive me for doubting your power. Forgive me for doubting your love and care for me. Help me to never forget this day. Help me to live in a holy fear of you, responding to your call and direction for my life! Amen

God First

But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

A God First person does just this, or at least tries.  He or she chooses to seek God first thing in the morning for prayer and to start the day off acknowledging that he or she is not in control.  When something unexpected happens a God First person will go to God's Word for guidance and say a prayer for help.  As the day progresses and things are going well, a God First man or woman will take time to thank God for the blessings in his or her life.  When he or she has a break in the day they might take more time to study God's Word and find ways to apply it to their life.  Putting God first in your life will bring you blessings and wisdom and guidance that only comes from God.  Putting Him first says you trust Him with your whole life and you believe that life without Him is not worth living.  Wanting to know God more and apply His principles and commands to your everyday life is what it takes to be a God First mom, dad, sister, brother, spouse or friend. 

Dear God, I want to live my life God First.  I want to spend every day in your presence seeking you first above the world and living by your Word instead of what the world would suggest.  Help me to be a devoted God First Friend who not only puts you first in my life but encourages others to do the same.  I offer my will to you and ask you to guide me today into your presence, and will for my life.  

In Jesus' Name   Amen