“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV 1984)
I often find myself worried about tomorrow...worried about next month...just worried in general. I try to remind myself that I am not alone.. that I don't have to face this by myself ... that I don't have to rely on myself to fix everything. But yet every time the life lesson comes my way, I take it on by myself...I rely on my strengths to fix it. It isn't until it is out of control that I take it to God...in a panic!!!! Needing an immediate fix...knowing that sometimes that immediate fix may not happen...that there is a lesson in the waiting...that there is an opportunity for growth in the waiting.
My devotion this morning was from Proverbs 31 ministries and it included the verse referenced above. In the devotion I was reminded that so many times I focus on the trial instead of the ONE who is going to carry me through it. I know that God is calling me to a renewed dependence and surrender. He is calling me to Him. In Deutoronomy 31:8 He reminds me that He will never leave me or forsake me. He reminded me that just because my prayer isn't being answered immediately or at all doesn't mean that He isn't listening, acting on my behalf or at my side but instead that He has something for me learn and something better in store for me than what I want or am asking for. Maybe it's time that I stop just claiming Jeremiah 29:11 as my life verse and start believing it!
Dear Heavenly Father,
You know the struggles we face today. They are not new. They are the same struggles we have had for 13 years. Lord, I bring them to you today because I am so tired of being in the same place. I seek your guidance and your will. I don't seek my fix for this situation any longer but yours and I ask that you would give us the strength we need to walk thru this valley and get to the mountain top. Help us to have discipline and will power to change the things in our behavior that need to change. Lord, see us to financial peace. Forgive us for not being good stewards of your many blessings and help us to change that starting today. Thank you for the trials that have brought us to this place..that are bringing us closer to you and to one another. Lord, continue to remind us daily that we do not face these challenges alone and that Your love for us is CONSTANT and that our circumstances are not a reflection of a changing love or Your absence. Help us to wait on You, to trust in You and to depend on You. I love you! In Jesus Name, AMEN
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
Well, here it is January 1, 2012! I started this year worshiping God with my whole family...which is an answer to prayer. I took so much away from this mornings service...here are a few of the highlights.
1. Don't carry the baggage from 2011 into 2012.
2. Worship EVERYDAY, in ALL things.
3. Worship isn't something we attend or something we do...it's who we are.
I'm saying goodbye to a lot more than just a year. I'm saying goodbye to my home of almost 14 years, to my church of 5 years and in the past couple of years I've had to say goodbye to people I thought I would never have to say goodbye to. In all these things, I can still look back and see where God has been faithful. I say I can "look back"...in the moments I couldn't see what on earth He was doing. I have to remember He doesn't ask me to understand...He asks me to have FAITH in the One who is able :) So here we go...moving forward in faith. I will not sit here and mull over all the bad the last 2 years has brought..I will look to 2012 with great anticipation of the wonderful things coming our way. It truly is a year of new beginnings. It reminds me of
1. Don't carry the baggage from 2011 into 2012.
2. Worship EVERYDAY, in ALL things.
3. Worship isn't something we attend or something we do...it's who we are.
I'm saying goodbye to a lot more than just a year. I'm saying goodbye to my home of almost 14 years, to my church of 5 years and in the past couple of years I've had to say goodbye to people I thought I would never have to say goodbye to. In all these things, I can still look back and see where God has been faithful. I say I can "look back"...in the moments I couldn't see what on earth He was doing. I have to remember He doesn't ask me to understand...He asks me to have FAITH in the One who is able :) So here we go...moving forward in faith. I will not sit here and mull over all the bad the last 2 years has brought..I will look to 2012 with great anticipation of the wonderful things coming our way. It truly is a year of new beginnings. It reminds me of
Lamentations 3:22-24 "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
Isn't that wonderful? Every day that we are given is a day where His mercies are new and we can start fresh!
So here's to the new and the beginning chapter of Journey 29:11!
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