Trust & Wait

 

I don't know about you but I don't like waiting.

I don't like not knowing how something will turn out.

I don't like not having all the answers.

And I definitely don't enjoy it when life doesn't seem to make any sense at all.

I give this advice all the time, and it's a way of thinking that I still struggle to hold onto at times, and took YEARS to learn, but it has been an encouragement to me.

In a lot of life situations, you just have to ride them out. Wait and see. Trust and hold on with a spirit of courage in the midst of your sea(s)

Answers don't always come when you want them, and you don't always have your way in this life. (Kind of goes along with my "don't be too much of a planner" post.)

God doesn't promise us a life without struggles. But He does promise us, that He will always make a way for us to go through them. He is always there. Be of good courage, hold on tightly to Him, and ride out those storms. 

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." (Psalm 27:14)

Follow God's Plan, Not Yours

Being a natural planner is not the greatest thing when serving the Lord. I used to be someone that had to know how something was going to turn out or I always had ideas that never materialized because I couldn't get them just the way I wanted them.

Sometimes, we try to put the cart before the horse...when really life is all about just being along for the ride and seeing what God has in store. We have choices to make everyday, but one I want to encourage you to think about making if you haven't already...is to decide to put your life and its circumstances in God's hands.  Just wait on Him. Don't get impatient and all out of sorts.  Commit to following His lead and just enjoy the ride you're on.

And if it's on your heart to do something for the Lord, let Him have the reins and allow Him to work through you. Don't plan it too much.

We sometimes mess up by letting the act of serving Him become too much about us, when really it's ALL about Jesus!

If you have something on your heart, just share it. If you want to do something for Him, just do it. If you want to say something and share your faith, just say it.

You never know who you might help just by taking a chance and letting Him lead the way. His ways of reaching people are often not what we would plan.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

"Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil." (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Be Kind Anyway

A word and a story for your Monday:  

Kindness 

There doesn't seem to be a lot of that going around at the moment. 

Around the age of four, my mom and I used to make the trip to Ravenswood to pick up my older half brother and older half sister to spend the weekend with us, and on one occasion my mom and I were pulled over en route by a police officer and as he finished giving his warning, my mom cautioned him against waking me up because I would never stop talking once he did.  

Of course, I woke up from my nap and ended up telling the officer my name & whole life story and asking him questions. I made them both laugh. 

As the years went by, the waves of a rocky life experience started to take ahold and I lost my outgoing nature for many years, becoming guarded and more anxious as the cruelty of others instilled a foundation of fear and shame.

In the world we live in today, we need both compassion and kindness. We need outgoing souls who are willing to not only share the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to share a kind word, or a virtual hug to someone whose world may be full of rocky waves. 

It is a priceless treasure to be connected in some small way to everyone you meet, instead of living in fear of what they may be thinking or with a spirit of judgement. It is important to never turn up your nose at someone else...because at any given moment...you could be standing right in their shoes. 

The point of this story and thought is: It doesn't matter how uneasy you've grown to feel about just saying hello, waving, or even asking someone a question and making conversation. 

Be kind anyway. Be chatty. Give a smile and a hug if you can. You may be the light of encouragement that someone needs. 

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."

"Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house."

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."(Matthew 5:14-16)

Eternity Matters

My mother recently retired and we have enjoyed immense peace. I have loved the feeling of security I have experienced by her being at home with me every day.

There's no greater fact than knowing I can always find her when needed or if I just want to spend time with her. 

I have a lot of messages in my notebook for the blog, including an unfinished salvation message that I previously started sharing a few months ago (I finished and shared half of it so far, and will finish it soon)

But..this word kept coming on my heart. 

Peaceful. ❤

Why should someone trust in Jesus?  I think in having the conversation of salvation it is important to not only bring attention to the darkness of this world, but to also share why someone should trust in Him for salvation. 

Trusting in Jesus and asking Him to save you gives you ETERNAL security and a home in Heaven, free from a very REAL and fiery place of torment called Hell. It is a place without peace; only darkness, flames, and gnashing of teeth. 

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." (Revelation 21:8 King James Version)

A place of no hope. And eternal separation from God. 

 "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;"

"And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:41-42)

Hell is the place you DON'T want to go to. And you don't have to. 

 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9 King James Version)

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23 King James Version)

Salvation keeps you from facing an eternity in Hell, and knowing Jesus and trusting in Jesus, and following Him in every part of your life provides the peace that passeth all understanding, as well as a sense of security and joy that is unmatched. 

Life will have its trials and you cannot get through this world without Jesus. 

He will be there to celebrate with you when times are happy. He's often been my greatest encourager.

He will always lend a listening ear anytime you need one, no matter the hour. I've stayed up all night with Him on many occasions. Those late night talks are something special.

 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24 King James Version)

Where God guides, He will always provide. Mom and I have never wanted for a thing, and it is because of Him that I have been able to keep a positive attitude. 

"And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not." (Isaiah 58:11 King James Version)

And most of all, His unwavering presence has taught me some of the greatest life lessons. I've not always been faithful, but God sure has. ❤

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17 King James Version)

I've known a lot of unsaved people who just seem to be without peace. 

Jesus is the greatest source of that peace that is so longed for and needed in the world. 

So many are blinded by the temporary things that surround us. 

Jesus can be security in a life that is filled with chaos. 

Jesus is a source of hope for those who feel hopeless. 

He is the most wonderful counsellor, and the most loving friend. 

He is a parent ready to give whosoever trusts Him the best guidance they will ever receive.

It is important to trust Jesus because tomorrow is never promised. When He comes, we need to be ready for Him. 

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14 King James Version)

A lot of people aren't interested in Jesus, because they've never known of the wonderful ways He can transform a life. 

But the peace He gives and His constant presence every single day and knowing I can call upon Him is truly one of the best parts of it all. 

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3 King James Version)

Eternity matters.❤

Your Attitude Is Your Aptitude

A lingering thought on attitude has given me something to share with you today. 

Attitude really IS everything. While combing through my Bible the other day, I found a sentence that I jotted down for some unknown reason, and it said this: 

There will always be inevitable uneasiness.

How true that statement is!

Your attitude will determine your aptitude in life. Your problems will never seem as big as long as you simply make the choice to live with an attitude that focuses on Jesus and running strong for His glory! 

If you ever find yourself with an the least bit of a complaining spirit, let this be a reminder to you to always make the choice to run your race with patience, resist the devil and his silly little tactics, and to rejoice in every day, for it is God's gift to you. Each moment is precious and should never be taken for granted. 

Remember that the walk of faith is full of spiritual warfare. Make the choice to lay aside what is weighing you down. 

"Wherefore, seeing that we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)

This point is short and sweet, but it's also crucial to stand guard when it comes to your thoughts. That is the first avenue that Satan will attack IF you let him do so. Resist him and he will flee. If there is something in your life that doesn't need to be there, remove it. If you feel an emotion or have a thought that doesn't need to be around, pray about it immediately. Don't let it grow roots. Nip it in the bud. Fight it. Resist it. 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you". (James 4:7)

Lastly, making the choice to rejoice and be grateful for every day will help you to handle those circumstances that cause that inevitable uneasiness. Jesus will always carry you through those valleys. He will move the mountains that you aren't able to climb on your own. 

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Your attitude is your aptitude. May you choose to rejoice today and everyday, never forgetting to remember the gift of life that God gave you & the sacrifice that He made for you and me. 

A Blanket In The Cold

 One of my all time favorite must haves that I keep with me during these cold (and occasionally snowy and windy) winter months is a trusty warm blanket. 

I have a whole linen closet full & feel you can never have enough. 

You can also never have enough Jesus.

In the bitter coldness of this world, He is a blanket like source of warmth and comfort. A place of rest when our souls become weary; the armor that serves as a shield during those particularly windy storms of life. A source of guidance and truth through it all. 

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him". (Proverbs 30:5)

I would never be able to sleep comfortably at night without at least one blanket at night, sometimes two on those REALLY cold nights.

Who are you relying on to pull you through those long dark nights? Where is your source of comfort and warmth to be found? Who do you turn to for guidance?

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

" For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)

The greatest source of comfort and warmth you will ever find is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Please don't spend another night without placing your faith in Him for salvation. This world is too dark and cold for you to try and walk alone. Jesus is waiting for you with arms wide open. 

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."(Romans 10:13)

Refocusing Your Lens (New Years 2022)

We're already a few days into the new year; even so, may right now be a moment to rememeber what our eyes need to be focused on. 

The pandemic and life in a general sense has changed for everyone. The past two years have tested the strongest of souls & well, life just isn't as happy as it used to be. Circumstances have grown to be more difficult. 

It can be so easy for us to find ourselves drifting away from the One who loves us most. The One who died for us. It can be hard to trust in Jesus through so much heartache, sickness, and sadness. 

This has been on my heart for several days and I just wanted tonight's post to be a reminder to all that this year should be utilized as a time to really REFOCUS your mind on God. No matter what you're traveling through or what storm you've already passed through. 

In order to keep your eyes on the Lord, it is important to: 

Reconfigure Your Surroundings: We can often become to comfortable with what's around us. We can quickly befriend spiritual clutter. Make a commitment to rid your life of unhealthy habits that may be keeping you from a healthy relationship with the Lord. 

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10)

*This is also an important thing to do if you are not saved and do not know Christ as your Savior. 

Refill Your Heart: God's Word is full of wisdom, truth, and understanding. It is absolutely necessary to read your Bible in order to grow in your faith & grow closer to the Lord. We must continue to fill our hearts with the truth of His Word. It is lamp unto our feet in the ever growing darkness of this world. 

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."(Psalm 119:105

It is imperative to rely on Christ & the power of His precious Word alone to refresh our thoughts as a new year and another chapter begins. One single thought is a foundation for anything, and it holds only as much power over you as you will allow. Choose to surrender all over to Christ right now & allow Him to give you a fresh beginning of thoughts anew. Don't allow this world to pollute your mind & steal what God has in store for you.

 "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

Lastly, I hope you will use the year ahead to regenerate your life and trust in Christ as your Savior; if you have already done so, may you use this year to regenerate your  your commitment to serving Him with all of your heart. He is the only hope found in the darkness. Let 2022 be the year you choose to refocus your lens on Christ.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)