God is Holding on to You

Just a little note...something God wants you to know.....

Whatever it is you're going through....God is doing something wonderful in you....He's answering the deepest prayers you've ever prayed. The process that has brought you incredible pain and suffering is being used for good....God has not abandoned you. Know this, God is holding on to you today as tightly as he ever has.

A Nun's Prayer

I thought I'd share this anonymous prayer written by a seventeenth century nun. I can't imagine a more honest, heartfelt, and much needed prayer that would greatly increase one's spiritual growth. Hope you find yourself within the words....and hope you find yourself praying as you read .....if you do, you'll find God drawing nearer to you in it.....it's what we're all longing for.....time spent with God.

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself,

that I am growing older and will someday be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something

on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all,

but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing, and love rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare no ast for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pain,

but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory,

but for a growing humility and a lessening cocksureness when my memory

seems to clash with the memories of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet;

I do not want to be a saint-some of them are so hard to live with-

but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places,

and talents in unexpected people.

And give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so. Amen.

God Speaks....in the Snow

I am amazed as I realize that I have shoveled over 22 inches of snow in the past week. Last year was the worst winter in Chicago in over 100 years...and I shoveled my way through it. But what some see as a major nuisance......I see as an opportunity to spend time with God. When I lived in Seattle, I found God speaking to me through the rain....He spoke to me alot! (haha) I felt Him saying that His love was pouring down upon me.....like the constant rain that fell. Here in Chicago, I go out to shovel snow...and as I step out of the doorway into the frigid cold....it is silent, and the snow covers EVERYTHING. With all the snow that I've shoveled, I now wonder where I will put it all....because it just keeps coming!
This is when I here the still soft voice of God saying, "This is my mercy, this is my grace......it never ends and it covers you....completely." So, as I shovel, I talk with God.....it is my time...alone with Him. The quiet is deafening as each snowflake falls without a sound and God's presence surrounds me and keeps me warm from the inside out. (even in -10 degrees)
So, most people are trying to talk me into getting a snow blower.....I won't do it.....I'd miss out on some pretty important things God wants to say to me. So, know that no matter what you're doing.....even if you're stuck in a traffic jam for hours.....find God in it.....He's there.

Second Guessing God

As I was praying last night, I realized that I'm second guessing God WAY too often. I'm hoping someone will be honest and admit they do too, so I don't feel so all alone on this. : ) The funny thing is, I have absolutely NO reason to second guess Him! If I look back on my life- specifically the last four years-He has done FAR above and beyond anything I could have asked for or imagined. But, the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion.....looking for someone to devour....he never ceases.

So, I've found myself asking God if I'm really in His will?...am I following the path He's designed for me? Maybe I missed something? Maybe I didn't hear Him right? Maybe I got the wrong directions and I'm lost. I imagine that Noah must have had some of these same questions running through His mind- First of all..... it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark- it took him a hundred years to build it! A HUNDRED years of no signs of rain....and continuing to trust God- now that's faith! There are many reasons to give up and many reasons to doubt, but then there's the Cross. And I am instantly humbled as I realize that I must walk forward in faith....obedient and trusting.....when I don't have all the answers and when I can't make sense of anything, but the very next step in front of me.

No one can say God doesn't have a sense of humor...He has made me laugh out loud on many occassions......as we second guess God...He constantly keeps us guessing! It is His way of drawing us nearer...increasing our faith....and preparing us for greater things that He has planned.

"God's call on all of us is to be a light to those who are in darkness, but sometimes He has to take us through our own darkness so we will learn to depend totally on His light."
-Stormie Omartian "Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On"
(If you haven't read this book I would HIGHLY suggest that you do!!!)

At times, I feel that I'm totally in the dark about what God is doing in my life, He only provides what I need for the moment. And I'm certain His grace is sufficient. So, I'm going to focus more on trusting Him completely, even when I am tempted to say, "God, I don't know if You're aware of this...or maybe You should consider that....Are You sure that this is the best way?.....I think maybe You're timing is a little off..." There's just no such thing as God being "almost Sovereign," so I'm going to keep walking by faith....regardless of what I see, think, or feel.
I'll be praying that you seek Him in your own life.....and do the same.

As I closed quietly in prayer, and God had spoken to my heart about my "second guessing," I was humbled and filled with hope as I heard the voice of God saying, "Trust Me."

There's No Past In Your Future

Many years ago, I faced incredible distress and despair as I struggled to let go of my past. Most people have walked down this same path in life. It may be the result of the sins of others, or it might be your own sins that weigh heavy upon you and keep you bound; regardless, the result is still the same- a burden that drains your spirit and turmoil within that keeps you from entering into the rest of God.

As I struggled to walk forward with God, one day I found myself driving down the road looking in the rear view mirror- focusing on what was behind me. I kept looking back and looking around in my side view mirrors and then, I heard a still quiet voice say to me, “There’s no past in your future.” When you hear words like that, you know right away, you’ve heard from God. I will never forget those words and I hope that whatever it is you’re facing in life today, you’ll accept those words from God as well- “There’s no past in your future.” If we are unable to let go of what lies behind, we’ll never move forward in life. Holding on to the past keeps us from embracing God’s future for us. You see, most of the time God has forgiven us, but we continue to hold on to un-forgiveness in our hearts; we keep bringing up what God has already forgotten. Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) says,

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
I don’t think God could be clearer in His instructions to us. Yesterday is gone- we must learn to live in the present. God has given us forgiveness for the past, faith for the future, and grace for the present moment. His grace that He has given for the past is used up and His grace for our future has not been given - He gives us grace for the moment we’re in and we must learn to embrace it fully.

It’s easy to stay bound by our past. Our fallen nature enjoys throwing pity parties and blaming everyone and everything for our troubles, instead of choosing to rise up and embrace God’s grace in order to completely surrender our life into His hands. When we come to the place of just “letting go,” God begins to work on our past, cleaning up the mess, and bringing us to the place of living by His grace. We can’t make our wrongs right and neither can anyone else- we’ve got to stop holding on to un-forgiveness which is holding us back from God’s greatest blessings in our lives. It’s God’s job to judge, not ours; only He can render justice. It’s not easy, it’s difficult at best. But God’s not asking you to do it on your own. He waits for you to come to Him so He can help you. (Isaiah 30:18) And don’t forget the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion. (1 Peter 5:8) The enemy wants you living a life of defeat and discouragement; keeping you from God’s best in your life. So, don’t be surprised when you find the enemy attacking relentlessly as you walk forward in faith. See your circumstances through the eyes of God- they go much deeper than what is on the surface…. You’re in a fight of faith.

The Apostle Paul knew what it meant to suffer; his advice in the midst of unthinkable adversities should bring strength and encouragement to us as we choose to forgive the past and embrace the future. Paul said in Philippians 3: 13-14 (NLT),

“No, dear brother and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.”
As you embrace God’s will for your life, know that He wants you “focusing all of your energies on forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” One little bit of advice as you do, “Don’t take your eyes off Jesus.”

All For Nothing?

There was 4 inches of ice and about 5 inches of snow underneath and a path had to be dug from our driveway to our back yard so that wood could be delivered. On top of that, the patio had to be cleared so that the wood could be stacked. It was 30 degrees and windy...so it was a cold day. So, I got out and began digging......it was back breaking and exhausting, but I got it done. In a few hours the wood deliverer called and had to cancel and so they would not be delivering until a few days later. UGH! Then, the very next day it turned 55 degrees and rainy and melted every bit of snow that had been on the ground! UGH...again! I couldn't help but feel the aching in my body and think...."ALL FOR NOTHING!" But then it struck me....

There is never a time when I labor for the Lord and it is in vain. I can't point to anything I've done that the Lord has asked me to do that did not have a fantastic result for His Kingdom. For those who are carrying their cross, doing the will of God in their lives, you can rejoice that your labor is NOT in vain. Whatever God asks you to do, He asks you to do it for a reason and you must realize that it might be for reasons of which you will never understand.

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."
1 Corinthians 15:8

At the time, I couldn't see how anything beneficial would come from me digging through all that ice and snow......I looked at it as a real kick in the teeth. But, now I can get out and take my Christmas lights down in warmer temperatures (not BELOW ZERO temps) not having to deal with all the ice and snow....now that's a GREAT blessing! And, even as I write this, I see a little squirrel outside digging up some food he'd buried for the winter....only two days ago I saw him out there walking across about 9 inches of ice and snow, unable to find food. God knows what we need. We have our plans, but He has a master plan which overides any that we might design. We can thank Him that whatever He asks us to do.... it is NEVER FOR NOTHING!

The Centerpiece

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village,

the child of a peasant woman.

He worked in a carpenters' shop until He was 30,

and then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home, never wrote a book, never held an office.

He never went to college,

never traveled more than 200 miles

from His place of birth.

He never did any of the things that normally accompany greatness.

He had no credentials but Himself.

Twenty centuries have come and gone and today Jesus Christ

is the centerpiece of the human race.

It's Too Late For Me

After receiving some disappointing news yesterday, something that would have in previous years consumed me with doubt and despair, I realized something.........."It's too late for me."
What I mean is this, I'm tempted to believe that God doesn't care, but I know He does; I'm tempted to believe He's abandoned me, but He hasn't; I'm tempted to believe that He's not really in control, but He is.....and I am certain of my faith in Him. I think it must be similar to how Peter might have felt after denying Jesus three times in the face of adversity and then after seeing Christ risen, had to proclaim his love for Him repeatedly. At first glance, it feels like you're stuck....there's no turning back..... your flesh wants to......but then, just as Peter learned, dying to self is the greatest gain and it is the only way to truly live.

I've been through many dark valleys in life and I am certain there are more to come; some of which I see coming, some of which I will never anticipate. But, there is one thing I now know, God is with me always. No matter what life brings, He is my strength and my song. No matter what analogy you want to use...."A Potter molding clay, a Refiner of silver and gold, or a Gardner pruning his orchard," the processes are all painful. And God has placed me in all of these places. It doesn't seem fair and it doesn't feel good. But I now realize that it is part of my necessary growth. He is preparing me for what lies ahead...making me ready for anything....and He's doing the same for you in times of testing.

"Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (James 1:3-4)

In the past I believed that I was who I was by the grace of God "in spite" of my circumstances, yesterday I realized that I am what I am by the grace of God "because" of my circumstances. Every situation we face is an opportunity for our faith to be refined and perfected. Each trial is a part of our necessary growth. And there are ALOT of growing pains. As I'm tempted to look back at this year...... reflecting on the joys and pains and the failures and successes, I am reminded that a servant of God does not look back.

“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back
is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)
So, "it's too late for me." I am forever a servant of God....what an amazing gift of God's love....to have a faith that never fails....to walk forward with an assurance that God is with me.....that He's leading and guiding me....in the face of doubt and despair,
I can only hear Jesus' voice saying to me,
"Do you love me?"
And quite frankly, that answer is all that matters.

How Long is YOUR List?

If you compare your life to Christ,

how long would your list be of matching characteristics?

Whew....that's a humbling question....

U Turns

Although this happened a year ago, I will never forget the message that God so loudly spoke to me. I pray it is a reminder in your own life that we should daily seek God's plans for our lives....be aware of opportunties He places before us in which we are able to fulfill His purpsoes.
"We can make our plans, but he Lord determines our steps" Proverbs 16:9


Yesterday, my children and I set out to attend a Holiday event. We had planned our whole day around it and we were REALLY excited. But as we arrived at the park, we found out, it was last weekend. I couldn't believe it! I was let down, my children were let down and we wondered, "what do we do now??"

So as I pulled away I realized I needed to run an errand at the local drug store, so I opted to go to the one that was closest...I proceeded to drive, I was almost there, and for some reason..I took a U turn. Why? well, maybe the rest of the story explains that. So I headed back 4 miles in the other direction to a drug store that is actually closer to my home. As I drove down a busy street...I remained at the 40mph speed limit as hurried people FLEW by. As I was driving, admiring the beautiful snow covering the homes, I noticed an elderly man had fallen in his driveway. I took a second look, and sure enough, he could not get up. He laid there, watching all the cars rush by. I couldn't stop immediately because of all the traffic, so I told my two children who were in the back seats, "Mommy, has to turn around, we have to help someone!" .......so I made ANOTHER U Turn...and pulled into his driveway. He looked at me in such awe! "Who are you, he asked, where did you come from??" His eyes were full of gratitude and you could tell his heart was warmed over. In fact, he didn't even seem to concerned about getting up anymore...he was just in such shock that I stopped! I got his mail for him, (which is what he was after...with no jacket, in dress shoes, in 27 degrees) We chatted, and he continued to look at me in such shock and amazement that I would have even noticed him much less stop to help him. His name was Bob...please pray for Bob.

So here it is, God said, "Be willing to make U Turns in life." You see, my day didn't go as I planned, it went just as GOD planned. I wonder how many cars passed by Bob because they were speeding, I wonder how many saw him, but didn't stop to help because they were too busy. God has plans for our lives, that work in HIS timing. We can't be ahead of Him, we can't be behind Him....our intimate relationship will keep us right in step with Him. Every morning before I rise, I pray that God will use me to be His hands and feet, to be His vessel in order to glorify His name; today He certainly answered that prayer. What if our holiday event would not have been cancelled, what if I would not have made the first u turn (which I still wonder why I did) and what if I would not have been going the speed limit? I would not only have missed be a blessing to this elderly man, I would have missed the awesome blessing that God gave to me....in my heart. I challenge you to look at your own life...are you so busy with your own plans that you fail to REALLY look around you, to see if someone is in need or requires a helping hand. These are our opportunities that someone might see Christ in us. One day, we will meet Jesus (Matthew 25:31) and I wonder what He will say. Did we feed Him, did we offer Him drink, did we clothe Him, did we care for Him when He was sick, did we visit Him when He was in need? Jesus said, "I TELL YOU THE TRUTH, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME." (Matthew 25:40) Don't miss an opportunity to be a blessing, and receive the blessings God has for you, be willing to make U turns in life.

Love to you all!
Cherie

Make Me a Fork

I'm sure you're probably wondering what in the world this post is about!?! Well, I promise you if you'll read on....you'll more than likely deepen your faith and grow closer to God. My guess is.....you'll begin praying the same new prayer that I have begun praying.....
"Lord, make me a fork."

I don't know how many people know of Jim Elliot. His legacy is a Christian missionary and a martyr. (1927-1956) He was filled with the Holy Spirit to reach uncivilized parts of the world with the message of Christ. He devoted his life to it, and he died because of it. As I learned of his life and death, I was awe striken with his passion for the Lord and his willingness to do whatever it took to fulfill God's will. I am amazed at people who have such faith and my prayer is that I would aspire more each day to have that same time of commitment to the Lord...in living and in dying. (John 12:24, 1 Corinthians 15:35-36, Galatians 2:20)

I wanted to share this because there are so very few Christians who will stand in faith and I pray that we should all have a revival of the Spirit to live lives that are worthy of the Lord. Jim Elliot said this,

"Father, make of me a crisis man.
Bring those I contact to decision.
Let me not be a milepost on a single road;
MAKE ME A FORK,
that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me."

I have begun praying that prayer everyday now. Our lives must reflect Christ in such a way that when people come our way they will either embrace Christ, or reject Him. I don't want my life to be just another milepost, I want to make a difference for the Kingdom. I pray that God will prune every area of my life that does not bear fruit and that He will continue to fulfill His good and perfect will in my life, regardless of what I must go through to accomplish it. I pray that you will meditate over what this statement means and begin praying this same prayer.
So, do you want to be a fork too?"


Other quotes from Jim Elliot:

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."

"God, I pray Thee, light these idle sticks of my life and may I burn for Thee. Consume my life, my God, for it is Thine. I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you, Lord Jesus."

Walking on Air

I had a dream last night...one that was more unusual than most that I have had. (I think we can all agree that dreams can get REALLY weird!) In my dream, I found myself in a crowd of people, all onlookers, watching me. Beside me, stood (or floated) a woman. I couldn't see her face; I'm not sure who she was, although I remember her being "heavenly" and angelic. And then, without any words, the expectations of me were to step out over a cliff and walk upon air. Okay....I know, it's a little strange...but it's a dream....I remember fearfully looking around me as the expectations of me weighed upon me like a heavy wool blanket. I didn't want to step out, yet I did. So, I felt within me a confidence, a desire to really show my belief in what I was doing, even though I didn't understand why I was doing it and what the outcome would be if I succeeded or failed.

So, I stepped out and I remember myself falling...you know how you fall in a dream...it seems like you're falling forever. Suddenly, I landed at the bottom of a pit. I was okay...and I got up and began to climb out of the pit. Funny, it didn't seem like it was that long to get out and I was right back in front of the crowd, the woman levitated beside me, and they were wanting me to try again. I was so confused....I thought I had faith in doing what I was asked....but yet, if I was honest with myself on my last attempt....I did have doubt. I was fearful. So, as I faced doing it again, I REALLY wanted to succeed. I wanted to walk on air like the woman (or angel) beside me. This time, there was something within me that took hold and I felt it within my entire soul and spirit...this time I was going to do it. And I knew it...completely, without a doubt. And I did. It was amazing and awesome...I walked on air and the crowd looked on with such joy. The angel beside me mysteriously disappeared and I walked for several moments and then....I woke up.

I'm not a dream interpreter, but I have disected this dream a million different ways. I know that it has to do with my faith and the issues in my life. God is daily increasing my faith, asking me to step out continually, even when everything I see contradicts the faith that I cling to. Walking by faith...means falling....and getting up again....ready and determined to try it again. God has made room for our errors and our "lack of faith." He's given us a "helper" (The Holy Spirit). He's given us a measure of faith and His grace that is sufficient.

I'm sure my dream won't mean as much to you as it did to me...but maybe it will invite you to reflect on your own faith. Stepping out......getting out of the boat....fearful....yet faithful. It reminds me of Peter walking on the water......I want to have faith like that- Knowing that Jesus is there to reach out to me if I begin to sink. I pray for each one of you reading this....that you might step out in faith in dealing with whatever it is you're going through.....Know that God is with you always...He will never leave you nor forsake you. EVER.

What Is God Doing?

There are so many times in my life when I wonder, "What is God doing?" Trying to understand God only drives us into a continual downward spiral of despair because we will never fully understand His ways and His purposes until we see Him face to face. What I've learned through trying times is that sometimes it isn't God's will for us to "Get out of that pit" or experience our "Best Life Now." Sometimes, we are right where God wants us....broken, helpless, and in need of a Savior. Now, don't get me wrong....a postive attitude can't hurt, but don't be deceived....it won't change God's will. Often times, there is very little we can do in our circumstances.....most of the time, the outcome of our situations are dependent upon our faith in God; it's all about surrendering our will and embracing His-trusting that God knows what He's doing!

There are a few things we can be certain of as we take each step of faith. First, whatever God is doing is going to take some time. God is in no hurry, He's more concerned with fulfilling His good and perfect purposes rather than our temporary pleasures and comfort. During this time of waiting, He has given us His grace. And as He works withing our circumstances, He's purging all the graceless characteristics from our lives. God is not only powerful, He's persistent, and He is faithful to His Word.

Second, we can almost be assured that we are going to experience some pain as God works within us. He prunes us.....and most of the time that hurts. It's part of the process because most of the time, whether we want to admit it or not, we need to be broken. It's when we are upon our knees that we have a greater desire within us to look up!

Third, we're going to experience change. Things will not be the same once God begins to work. You'll see it, you'll feel it, and you'll notice that things are different. It may mean losing a friendship, it might mean losing a loved one, it might mean going through an illness. We must understand Truth and Truth says that sometimes it's not God's will that people are healed, that relationships are rescued, that loved ones are saved, or that our wants and desires are fulfilled. God is concerned with His plans for our lives and our greatest fulfillment will come from trusting in Him and living according to His perfect plan. Although we cannot understand His every move, He has given us His Word so that we might trust in His character and faithfulness. God's greatest desire is that you know Him, walk with Him, and trust Him completely through every step of this journey.

One thing we can be sure of as we "wait" on God......God is VERY busy! I pray that as I reflect upon these same truths in my own life, you too will find encouragement and strength from knowing that God cares deeply for you and He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!

What are You Preaching?

We've all heard the saying, "Practice what you preach," but as I spent time with God yesterday, I realized that it doesn't work that way. We've got it all wrong. It's what we "practice" that is our preaching. If we're "preaching" and our "practicing" isn't matching up...then we're preaching alright...but what are we saying.....what message are we preaching? Our message to the world through our lives comes not from what we say, but what we do. It comes not from saying that we "believe God," but by living like we do.

As I thought about the current situations in our lives and the countless emails I receive from people going through tremendously difficult times, I became saddened as I realized that most of these were people of faith who had very little, if any, faith in God in their circumstances. And their lack of faith sends a clear message to those around them. Many people who have declared their faith in God throughout the years are caving into the lies of the enemy.....giving in to doubt and despair....tempted to believe that God has abandoned them. We must never forget that we have no testimony without a test; those tests transform our lives into incredible testimonies to God's constant presence and unlimited power.

So, as I dug deeper, I realized that this was an issue I needed to address in my own walk of faith each and every day. Asking myself, "What am I preaching?" Not examining so much what I'm "saying," but what am I doing. I have always been a BIG believer that actions speak louder than words. I'm sure you've discovered that truth for yourself in your own life. There were some questions that came to mind as I pondered this who issue:



Is Christ being preached in my present trials and tribulations?

Does my family see the gospel at work in me? (or do they see panic, doubt, and despair)

How do I respond in times of affliction?



These questions reveal what we're preaching. The Apostle Paul found it the greatest joy to "fight the good fight." At the end of our lives, everything will be revealed to us, beginning to end. We will have the opportunity to look back and see which opportunities we called upon God and which ones we looked Him in th eyes and walked away. We'll have the ability to see those things we should have left behind, those things that kept us from moving forward in faith, clinging to the flesh instead of living by the Spirit. Paul said in Philippians 3:13, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." It's the one thing we must do....it is impossible to trust God with our future if we do not first lay down our past. And that may simply mean laying down "yesterday." We've got to "leave it behind," even if it was just a situation a few minutes ago. So, even if we're not pleased with what we've been "preaching," God says, "leave it behind," and walk forward. Start today to trust God in ways that seem "unnatural." He is more than able to handle whatever you give Him.

We can preach our faith in God as we look forward to tommorow with confident assurance that God cares, that He keeps His Word, that He works all things together for good, that He is with us and will never forsake us, that His eye is on us, that His thoughts towards us are good, and that His Promises cannot fail. We've got to trust God with all of our tommorows.
He's given us forgiveness for the past,
faith for the future,
and grace for the present moment.
That is what our lives should be preaching!

Let Go and Let God

Time after time, I find God speaking to me through the ordinary things in life...maybe it's because I make it a habit of looking for Him. Today was no exception. My 9 year old son, who loves building things, found himself frustrated over a Lego piece that he just could not put together. I told him to PLEASE not get frustrated,... but just bring it to me, if he needed help. He sat, and remained frustrated...then He called out to me, "Don't you want to help me?" I replied, "Yes, I do, I told you to bring it to me." "Oh," was his reply. When he brought it to me, I snapped it together and He was stunned and amazed at how quickly I was able to resolve his issue! Before I knew it, not one second had passed and he had run to bring me another piece, and then another. He continued his building in delight, and I think he learned to just come to me for help, over anything, no matter how important or unimportant he might think it is to me.

Now, is it just me, or do you hear God speaking here. We cry out, "God, Don't you want to help me?" "Bring it to Me," He says. What is it in your life that you are struggling with? He wants you to bring it to Him. Why do we fail to hear Him the first time? WHATEVER it is, we must bring it to an awesome God who loves us and has supernatural power to "fix things." Once you see His awesome power work in your life, you'll find yourself running to Him over and over as fast as you can....and as a little child, saying, "Can you help me, can you fix this?" Didn't Jesus say unless we come to Him as little children we will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven? He was speaking literally here. WE are God's children and our help should ALWAYS come from Him, our Heavenly Father.

I look up to the mountains- does my help come from there?
My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!
Psalm 121: 1-2

How Will You Be Found?

When Jesus returns, how will He find you?

It's a question I've been constantly asking myself.

"When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8

The way this world is going...even those who are not believers, believe that the world must be coming to an end. And even if the whole world isn't, people's own personal worlds seems to be crumbling underneath them and they are struggling to even survive. It is so heartbreaking. Yet, through it all, we're told to continue to have faith.

For those who know me well, you know that I love to share ways in which I've heard God speak to me through my daily walk of faith. Today, as I sat in church, I heard God speaking to me about how much we limit Him in our lives. As we face adversities and overwhelming challenges, we tend to declare our situations "impossible." We forget that we worship a God who DOES the impossible. He makes ALL things possible! If we really believed that....why would we ever give in to doubt and discouragement? If we go to the book of Acts, Chapter 16, we find Paul the Apostle....who had just been stripped, beaten, and flogged. (These days, many people feel they've endured these same sufferings.) After Paul was physically beaten...He was thrown into jail....and they fastened his feet to the stocks. But here's the clincher....most of us would have found a million and one reasons why God let us down, why He didn't show up when He was supposed to, why He didn't keep His Word, but Paul did the opposite. At about midnight, Paul began praying and singing hymns to God!!!!! Then something amazing happened...there was a sudden violent earthquake and the foundations of the prison were shaken....the prison doors flew open...and everyone's chains came loose! Okay, the end of the story is that Paul ended up bringing the jailer and his family to salvation....isn't that CRAZY!

So, as we look at our situations, the trying times, and overwhelming uncertainties, what are we doing as we sit in despair? Are we allowing ourselves to remain chained to the stocks or are we praying and offering up praise to God? I'm certain Paul didn't "feel" like praying and singing hymns...He had to make a conscious effort to do so. How he did it through the unbelievable physcial suffering he endured, we'll never know....we can only assume it was by the grace and strength of God. This is the kind of faith I want to have....what about you? If Jesus returned today....would He find faith in YOUR life? I don't know about you, but I'm going to focus on doing alot more worshiping and ALOT LESS worrying....(I want God to move in my life and keep all chains from binding me!) Know that He'll move heaven and earth to show Himself strong to those who have faith in Him.
Besides, what's there to worry about.....Jesus will catch you when you fall!

My Burning Bush

(This is a photo of my burning bush)
When we first moved into our new home, my dear aunt told me we had a "Burning Bush" in our back yard....I laughed, thinking, "yeah right!" Well, she was right. And it sits right outside the back window of my office room. I look at it from my desk and everyday I laugh at loud at God's sense of humor in my life. For those who know me...this is really funny, that I would move into a home, and everyday be looking out at a burning bush! Okay, so I haven't heard God's voice coming from it yet...although, knowing God, I better be expecting it. :) Just had to share this little snipit of my humorous walk with God with all of you!

I'll let you know the moment I hear God's voice....

I'm sure it will be something pretty important if I do! :)

When Your Faith Is Tested

Just when things couldn’t possibly get worse, they do. Just when we set our expectations in life, the unexpected happens. Whether storms in life come out of nowhere, or we saw them coming all along, we struggle to hold on to our faith. When we have no strength to carry on, when disappointment and discouragement take hold of us, we find that our only way through it all depends upon our faith. We find our faith being tested as we endure suffering that may be physical, mental, social, financial, or all of them combined.

“If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem to be against us, we do not believe Him at all.” –Charles H. Spurgeon

So what are we to do when our faith is tested? Will your faith pass the test? The testing of your faith is an opportunity, not an obstacle. God’s purpose for allowing the trials in your life is to strengthen you, not destroy you. He has promised that His plans for you are for good; He has promised to complete the work He has begun in you; He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you; He has promised to be a ready help in times of trouble….believe what He has promised, God is not a liar.

“Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.” James 1:3 (AMP)

So, how do we pass the test? How can be we stand strong in our faith when our world is falling out from under us? When there’s nothing we can do, when it all lies in God’s hands, we can remain steadfast in our faith by:

*Focusing Forward. When we become discouraged by the struggles we face, we tend to spiral into despair by focusing upon the past. We walk down memory lane with the enemy and revisit all the times that we have failed in the past or times when we feel God let us down. We find ourselves facing greater distress when we begin doubting that God cares; it seems questionable when we’re in the midst of great suffering. God has given you forgiveness for the past, grace for the present moment, and His Promises for your future. There is no past in your future! But, don’t get overwhelmed by the future either; God has only put this day in front of you. Remain focused on the moment you are in. Live each moment for Him; remain focused upon Him and He’ll give you all the strength and grace you need.

*Focusing on God’s Promises. If there’s one thing we must grasp about the Word of God, it’s that It is filled with supernatural power. It is a power to do immeasurably more than we can hope for! (Ephesians 3:20) Whatever you’re going through in life, God has something to say about it. AND He has made promises to you in order to give you the hope and strength you need to see you through to victory. Along the way, He’s drawing you nearer, He’s increasing your faith, and He’s creating a steadfast spirit within you, so that you will be complete, lacking in nothing! (James 1:2-4)

*Focusing on God’s Presence. Not only is God sovereign, but He is with you at all times. With each step you take, He is there beside you. At times, He’s leading you, at others He’s walking with you, and often He’s carrying you. You must have a confident assurance that God is in control and is overseeing every area of your life. You must trust that if He has allowed a trial in your life, He has found purpose in it and it is for good. Although you might not be able to understand it all, although by your human reasoning you cannot make sense of it, everything looks different from God’s perspective…..trust that He knows what He’s doing. When you don’t know what to do, keep your eyes upon Him; confidently trust Him to take care of you and all that concerns you. Draw your strength from Him and remain in His presence through it all; when you do, you’ll find yourself walking forward in life with a faith that will never fail.


Prayer:Lord God, I come humbly to Your throne of grace and I come seeking Your strength to help me through this fight of faith. Father, help me to consider it all joy, whenever I face trials of many kinds, knowing that the testing of my faith develops perseverance. Help me to see that it is my perseverance that must finish its work so that I can be mature and complete, not lacking in anything. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.