A Needed Reminder

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control, controlling worry, details, faith, good start for the week, good start to your day, good thoughts, making great decisions, mission trips, quick devotion, resting in God, short thought, sleepless night, trust, trusting God with the details, vision, worry

I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

I really need this reminder today.

My guy is a visionary. He gets an idea, knows a certain path and that’s it…he’s ready to take the plunge.

I, on the other hand, am a detail girl.

I love the big ideas, but my mind automatically goes to the how.

If we are my moving, I remember every detail that needs to happen to get us there.

If we are remodeling a space, even though I am not a construction person, I seem to be the one to remember to buy the nails.

If we are going on a mission trip, I think of every little detail…over and over again.

That’s what kept me from sleeping some last night…a mission trip we are going on this summer. Details, details, details. Even though details are good, they can also drive me insane.

During my mental list making in the night, the Holy Spirit reminded me of I Thessalonians 5:24. He reminded me that I am called to go and He will accomplish what is supposed to be accomplished. Yes, I need to remember to bring my toothpaste, but He will take care of the details of loving on the people, teaching what needs to be taught, the team’s health and so much more because “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Rest in that this week. Write your lists and use the gift of details that God has given you, but then set the pen aside and trust Him to accomplish the call on your life. Depend on Him for every detail knowing that He is always faithful.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

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No Petting the Snake (Dealing with Fear)

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Christian encouragement, conquering fear, controlling anxiety, controlling fear, controlling worry, destroying fear, encouragement, fear, gaining new ground with God, getting free of fear, getting new terrotory this year, getting rid of fear, getting rid of the spirit of fear, how to control anxiety, how to control fear, how to gain new ground with God, how to gain new territory with God, how to get new life with Christ, how to get rid of fear, how to let our powerful God do His thing, how to not be controlled by fear, how to not let fear control you, how to stop fear, letting go of fear, the real story about fear, truth, walking in victory

As I was reading Joshua 24 this morning, I found Joshua reminding the children of Israel of all the times the Lord had delivered them on their journey to the Promised Land. Over and over and over again the Lord provided, encouraged and conquered nations on their behalf.

It made me realize that seeing victory required seeing mountains and enemies and scarcity of resources. I realized that the Israelites were human beings just like us, so just as many times as God provided for them, just as many times as God defeated their enemies, they had to have had fear to some degree. I only have the proof from Judges 7 where part of Gideon’s original army was afraid and (as stated earlier) they were human. I also have the knowledge of how many times God tells us to “fear not” in the Bible, so obviously it was as big of an issue then as it is now.

Normally, I would be fearful of how many times I’m fearful. You know, freaking out at how many times I’ve disappointed God with my lack of faith when He has cleared obstacles before. But this morning, I took courage from the fact that even though God’s people must have had some fear every time they were asked to clear the way, God still gave them the victory. As long as they were dependent on God alone and His guidance, they continued to gain ground. That’s really encouraging to me!

So, what can we learn from the Israelites? Should we just huddle in our fear and do nothing? Should we stay behind and let the brave few march forward? I think not! We should hand our fear over to God every single time it pops up. Sometimes, fear is so much a part of us that we don’t even recognize it, but we can pray for eyes to see fear for what it really is and then stop playing with it and allow our Savior to stomp it into the ground while we march over it into our Promised Land.

Think of fear as a rattlesnake. Do I know that rattlesnakes will pop up in certain territories? Yes, but that will not keep me from hiking through anyway. So, we simply take precautions and kill that sucker when he blocks our path.

Just like with fear. Do I know that fear will pop up when I am trying anything new, or having a breakthrough with my Lord? Yes, but that will not block my path. I’ll come prepared with my Bible verses and in the name of Jesus allow Him to crush the head of the serpent as only He can (Genesis 3:15).

Fear will come, but let’s not allow it stop us and for heaven’s sake let’s not play with it either. I know with me personally when I allow fear in one area of my life, it breeds into every area. So, it must be destroyed completely. We can’t keep fear as a pet. It will always grow too big to control. Always.

So, be encouraged today. Know that fear does come with conquering new territory, but allow God to destroy it and give you the victory anyway.

I’m leaving you with some verses to read through, meditate on and help to prepare you for those steps into great, new territories that God has for you. He has a Promised Land for you this year. Don’t allow fear to keep you from it. Some of these verses will resonate more than others. That’s the Holy Spirit working in you and letting you know how to prepare for the coming days. Take hold of those, memorize them, write them down and cling to them instead of fear.

Here you go …

Psalm 27:1-3,”The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom should I be afraid? When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell. Though an army deploys against me, my heart is not afraid; though a war breaks out against me, still I am confident.”

Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with its turmoil.Selah”

Psalm 118:6,“The LORD is for me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 118:8, “It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.”

Psalm 56:3-4, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

Psalm 91:5, “You will not fear the terror of the night, the arrow that flies by day…”

Psalm 112:7-8, “He will not fear bad news; his heart is confident, trusting in the LORD. His heart is assured; he will not fear. In the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

Isaiah 35:4, “Say to the cowardly: “Be strong; do not fear! Here is your God; vengeance is coming. God’s retribution is coming; He will save you.”

Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” — How beautiful is that? Put your hand in His as a trusting child.

Isaiah 41:13, “For I, Yahweh your God, hold your right hand and say to you: Do not fear, I will help you.”

Isaiah 43:2, “I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and ⌊when you pass⌋ through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you.”

Isaiah 44:8, “Do not be startled or afraid. Have I not told you and declared it long ago? You are my witnesses! Is there any God but Me? There is no ⌊other⌋ Rock; I do not know any.”

Isaiah 8:12, “Do not call everything an alliance these people say is an alliance. Do not fear what they fear; do not be terrified.” — I love this one because it reminds us that we are not to be terrified like those who do not have the hope of Jesus. I can’t even imagine trying to deal with fear without Jesus!

Jeremiah 17:7-8, “The man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence indeed is the LORD, is blessed. He will be like a tree planted by water: it sends its roots out toward a stream, it doesn’t fear when heat comes, and its foliage remains green. It will not worry in a year of drought or cease producing fruit.”

Matthew 10:29-31, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. So don’t be afraid therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.”  

Luke 12:31-32, “Yet seek ye his kingdom, and these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”

Romans 8:15, “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.”

Hebrews 13:6, “Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears has not reached perfection in love.”

Be blessed this week, dear ones and know that our God does not want us be smothered by our fear, but He wants us to acknowledge it and bring it to Him so that He can destroy it completely as only He can.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

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Getting Mud Between My Toes

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a messy life, being hurt in church, christian journey, dealing with vain tradition, disappointments in church, encouragement, encouragement for the brokenhearted, getting dirty, getting messy in life, God's truth, how can I get past the hurt, I need encouragement, man's opinion, religion, tradition, tradition of men, truth, vain tradition, when life gets messy

 

Song of Solomon 5:3-5 says, “I have taken off my dress. How can I put it on again? I have washed my feet. How can I dirty them again? My Beloved extended His hand through the opening, and my feelings were aroused for Him. I arose to open to my Beloved…”

Lately, I’ve been pretty discouraged with what I will call the “established” church. Not the doctrine, but the implementation of that doctrine through tradition and opinion. I’ve really questioned my place in ministry on a local level and I’ve been anxious about God calling me to another area of service before I’m “ready”…whatever that means. (Imagine the kid on the team who doesn’t think he’s ready to play, white knuckling the bench every time the coach needs another player, cringing in case he hears his name called? Yep, that’s been me.)

As I was reading through Song of Solomon, I came across this beautiful passage in chapter 5 and realized that even though I feel as if I have washed my feet and taken off the old garments and do not want to get dirtied up again, when my Beloved reaches for me, I’ll be ready. Why? Because my feelings for Him will once again allow me to willingly say, “Yes” to whatever He has for me. I won’t be excited because of the assignment. I will be ecstatic because I get to run away with my Beloved. So what if I get a little dirt on my clothes and feel mud oozing through my toes? So what if life gets messy once again? As long as my Beloved is guiding me, as long as I am open to His guidance, it will always be worth it. I’m finally remembering that it’s always better to be a little dirty with Jesus than sitting in a room scared that I’ll ruin my shoes.

Life is messy. Ministry is messy. Family life is messy. You name it and it’s messy, but God has called us to minister, to love and to bless others, not to stay in the chamber of our life too scared of a little dirt to follow Him when He reaches for us.

Right now, God has me in a place of encouragement and excitement and I am able to enjoy simply being in His presence. It’s fun, but I know that there may come a time when He reaches for me to enter the fray once again. Whatever that may look like, however things may play out, whenever He reaches for me to come out of my pristine chamber I will run after Him knowing that He loves me more than I could ever imagine and knowing that when I get dirtied up again He is faithful to cleanse, restore and renew. How could I not run with a God like that?

So, if you’re like me and a little nervous about the next step, (maybe you feel like the kid on the bench not quite ready to be in the game), know that when your Beloved extends His hand towards you to come away with Him, it’s always the right time and even if you don’t know you’re ready, He does. Be confident in who He sees, take His hand and run with Him as you have never run before.

My Story

Seeking Hearts Ministries

(image by seat of my soul)

 

Does God Create Serial Killers?

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all things for good, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, control, devotional, freewill, freewill of man, God, God creating bad, God's creation, serial killers, sovereignty, sovereignty of God, trust

What a question, “Does God create serial killers?” The short answer is, “No”, but if you believe in the sovereignty of God, the answer must also be, “Yes”. What do I mean? The sovereignty of God says that everything is ultimately under the control of God. It says that nothing is allowed in a believer’s life that is not for their good and anything allowed will always allow them to draw closer to their Creator. When we believe in the sovereignty of God, we acknowledge that there is evil, but we also know that God has evil on a leash.

So, again, the question can be raised, “Does God create serial killers?”

While I do not believe that God creates anyone for a sinful purpose, I also believe that God allows us to choose who we become. It’s that whole freewill thing. Most of us have a love-hate relationship with freewill. We like it when it suits us, but when others make a choice that affects us in a negative way, we wonder why God didn’t stop it.

The free will of man is a complicated thing for me. I like it when I’m making the choices, but when others are…not so much. When someone is going to make a decision that will hurt my family, I catch myself wondering why God allowed it? I can’t see the good immediately, so I assume there is no good. I often think God should step in right before something terrible happens to my family, or friends. Do you admit being the same way?

If we really had control over freewill, would it be better utilized? If we could stop and start it, what would we do? When would we rein freewill in? Would it be before someone was born who would make a poor decision? Would you choose to simply not let them be born? What about their parents? Didn’t their parents have something to do with an innocent child growing up to become a serial killer, or a rapist, or a suicide bomber? So, would you not allow the parents to be born as well? What about the grandparents of a serial killer? Didn’t they have some part in rearing a set of parents that would then rear a serial killer? Do you see the cycle? Where would it end?

If we stopped allowing children to be born who would make wrong choices, what would be considered acceptable? If you were going to be a rapist, a serial killer, or a gang banger you’re out? What about a drunk driver, or a drug dealer? What about a gossip, or a thief? Again, I ask, “When would it end?”

Why doesn’t God just stop someone from being born who will make a decision that will hurt others, especially someone who will become a serial killer? Did God not realize they would make that decision? Was He surprised? Of course He wasn’t surprised, so why did He create them? Why were they allowed to be born if He knew they would choose to kill others?

I don’t even pretend to have all the answers to these questions, but this I know, my God is sovereign and He is a good God who has my back. Does that mean I will always like what comes my way? No, but it does mean that I can rest in Him knowing that He is working to produce good in everything that He allows in my life. I may not see it, but I trust that it is there. Romans 8:28 assures me that my trust is not wasted.

After all, who is to say what one life given in sacrifice at the altar of a serial killer wouldn’t end with hundreds coming to receive Christ if it gave the family a platform to proclaim the forgiveness of Christ? Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that God’s ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Can this hold true even in the face of evil? Of course it can and it does.

I think it’s good to think and ask questions that can sometimes shake our faith if we aren’t careful. When the hard stuff comes up, we sometimes sweep it under the rug and choose to think about it “tomorrow”, but tomorrow never comes and then that rug gets swept out from under us when crisis hits. Let’s remember that God can handle our questions. Let’s ask Him to teach us even the hard things. Let’s ask Him to blow our minds with the wonder of who He is so that our faith can grow stronger and not weaker in the face of adversity.

So, now I’ll ask you. Why do you think God allows serial killers to be born? Maybe you don’t even think He has control over any of it, or just part of it. Let me know what you think, so we can learn together.

As I end my musings of this crazy question, I want to leave you with a few things I know for sure: One, God’s ways are not my ways and His thoughts are so much greater than my thoughts. Two, I am so glad I am not God. I would make a mess of it. Three, my God is sovereign and I trust Him. And four, I am safe in the arms of my Savior.

I am so glad our God is always willing for us to ask Him the hard questions. He is the best Teacher of all. Let’s praise Him today!

My Story

Seeking Hearts Ministries

 

Soar

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Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, devotional, encouragement, family devotions, gifts, smothering, soaring, spiritual gifts

Several weeks ago, I had the honor of singing at our local Association’s annual meeting. Afterwards, we were eating with a gentleman and in our conversation he said, “Wow. You have a really high voice.” It made me smile, because he didn’t know it, but I used to sing alto, not soprano. For many years I thought a soprano was a certain kind of voice with a certain kind of power and so, I covered up my “high voice” and simply sang alto. I had to really work at being an alto. I didn’t hear the alto part readily (that should have been my first clue that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be), so I would take the music home and bang it out on the piano until I could sing it well. I noticed other altos around me could just start singing the part without practice and so I thought, “Well, I’m just not as good as they are. I hope they don’t notice I’m struggling.” I sang, but was quite intimidated. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it just felt like work.

Years later, and I mean years later, I finally started to sing soprano. My husband had several job relocations and the babies were little so I was out of choir for a while. When we got comfortable in our next church, I can’t even tell you why, but when I joined the choir, I just decided to sing soprano. It was so odd. I felt such joy at just letting go. I still have to work at the notes, but nothing like I did being an alto. I thought I loved to sing before, but now…wow…I LOVE to sing!

When that dear gentleman told me that I had a “high voice”, he couldn’t imagine the memories that it evoked. He couldn’t imagine the feelings of thankfulness to God that welled up in me for guiding me to where I wasn’t smothered His gift in me, but soaring. Not to get attention, but to bring Him glory.

So, I encourage you today to stop smothering your God-given gift. We all have gifts (I Corinthians 12 ), so let them soar. Don’t compare your teaching, your writing, your singing, your cleaning, your giving, or whatever gifts you have with others. Just use your gift to bring God glory and who knows, some day in the future a gentleman may help you to remember what you were, so you can give God praise for who you are.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

My Story

Today

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attention, calling, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas season, countdown to Christmas, countdowns, devotional, devotions, encouragement, family devotions, focus, future, future focus, goals, God, God's Kingdom, here and now, Kingdom work, redeem the time

I’m sure you’ve all seen it by now. The countdown to Christmas has begun and while I love Christmas and the whole season that comes with it, I am just not ready to see the countdowns begin. On Facebook last week a friend posted how many Fridays were left until Christmas and then, the flashing sign at my pharmacy told me the exact number of days until Christmas. Every time I pass by…BOOM!… there it is in blinking lights: 75 days, 74 days, 73 days… and it will continue to flash the number until the Big Day arrives.

I couldn’t help but wonder if all of these countdowns (whether they involve Christmas, or something else) are just another tool of Satan’s to keep us pseudo focused on life, instead of really focused on living. If I am so focused on what is to come, maybe I am not focused on the here and now and the here and now is where Kingdom work really happens. After all, does someone receive the Gospel tomorrow, or yesterday, or the here and now? (I know all of the above happens, but I hope you get where I’m going with this.) Everything that happens to us, or through us, happens in the now. Satan wants us to only focus on the future and not the now. The now is where miracles take place. The now is where souls accept redemption. The now is where we actually live. Maybe that’s what the Psalmist is getting at in Psalm 90:12. It says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom.” When we are wise, we are using every moment to give God glory. When we are wise, we are hyperaware of how we can expand God’s Kingdom. When we are wise, we realize that His Kingdom is what this life is all about. When we are only focused on the future, we are no good in the now.

You might be thinking that I must be one of those spontaneous people who have no goals, no ambitions and no future plans. Let me just tell you (after I get up off the floor from laughing hysterically) I most certainly am not a “fly by the seat of her pants” kind of a girl. No, siree. I don’t think I’ve ever lived a week without a major goal list. I’m the master. That might be why this hit me so hard the other day. Goals help me to believe that I haven’t wasted my day, my week, my month, or my year. But, I’m finding in my own life that the goals I’ve set have often kept me from living in the now. I’m so focused on my lists to get done tomorrow that I’m not taking joy for what was accomplished today. I’m often concerned with my agenda instead of God’s agenda for me. I’m so focused on getting to week nine, or fifteen that I lose sight of the here and now. I’m not saying that goals aren’t important, but sometimes goals can get in the way of actually living.

Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, “…do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow will take care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Jesus gives us grace for the day, yet we are trying to live in the tomorrow. Tomorrow’s stress is not supposed to be today’s burden.

Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that His mercies are new every morning. That’s a day by day mercy. If we are aren’t waking up accepting what He has for us each day, what are we missing?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to see today’s miracles. I don’t want to miss them. I want my eyes to be wide open to receive what He has for me today. I want to expand His Kingdom today. I want to worship Him today and not wait for Sunday. I want Him to look at me as He sings over me tonight and say, “Well done, girl. Well done. You used every minute I gave you today. Let’s do it again tomorrow.”
My Testimony

Seeking Hearts Ministries – (link to other blogs)

God’s Faithfulness

A Seeking Heart

Faithfulness

–  I love everything about our God, but His faithfulness blows my mind. Maybe it’s because my “love language” is quality time, maybe it’s because faithfulness is so rare in our world today, but when I meditate on God’s faithfulness, I am overwhelmed with love for Him. He is so amazingly beautiful and His faithfulness reminds me of that.

  I Thessalonians 5:24, says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also bring it to pass.” We also find in Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God…” These are just two examples of many throughout the Word that reminds us of God’s faithfulness. He is with us, always. He is guiding us, continually. He is faithful.

  Hebrews 13:5 tells us to not covet and be content with what we have because He will never desert us. He will…

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Committing Adultery

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adultery, adultery against God, assuming, assumptions, basics, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, devotions, encouragement, faith, family, family devotions, lusts, temptation

The other day I was reading in the book of Proverbs and came across a lot of warnings against the adulteress. I almost skipped over it thinking that it had no relevance to me, but I am so glad I didn’t. As I was reading, I remembered that God often called Israel an adulteress when she turned to other gods. He warns Israel (and us) that when we turn from worship of Him to anything else, we are in fact, committing adultery against Him. The Church is the Bride of Christ and when we act like we are not, we are adulterers and adulteresses.

We must ask ourselves why it is so easy to stray from being true to our Lord. Why is it so easy to commit adultery against Him? Proverbs 5:3 says, “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and smoother than oil is her speech;” We must realize that anything that pulls us away from God seems like a really great thing. We view the payoff as worth it. Our perceptions tell us that the opportunity, decision, or temptation drips with honey. It awakens our desires. It might even look godly on the outside, but at the core it is destructive because it is not God’s best for us.

For example, we have been offered a leadership position at the church, or in our community. It looks like a great opportunity. It would be beneficial to have this position in place. The church, or community, would really benefit. You can see all the good that it would accomplish. You assume it is God’s will because you are excited about it. You accept the position and move forward only to realize that things looked good on the outside (it dripped with honey), but in the end it was bitter because it was not God’s best for you. Proverbs 5:4 says of adultery, “But in the end she is bitter as wormwood…” You thought you were getting delicious honey, but it was wormwood in disguise and you realize you are worshipping a position and people’s opinions more than your God. It’s so easy to fall into a trap like this.

Proverbs 5:8 says, “Keep your way far from her, and do not go near the door of her house, lest you give your vigor to others, and your years to the cruel one;” This verse reminds us that we do not need to go near anything, or anyone, that could cause us to stray. Even if we are aware, we can be easily swayed if we are running too close to the enticement. Galatians 6:1 tells us that when we are helping others to get out of an enticement, we also need to aware. It says that we could be drawn away as well if we are not careful. Why? Because we are getting close to the door of the adulteress. We can smell the honey and be easily swayed. But for the grace of God go us, people, but for the grace of God …

So, I’m keeping it short and sweet this week to allow God to penetrate your heart with any areas that you may be committing adultery in. He is a precious Savior willing to take us back time and time again, (read the book of Hosea), let’s allow Him to make us His pure, spotless bride once again.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

Assumptions

A Seeking Heart

 What is my automatic reaction to trouble in my life? What is my automatic assumption when issues come up? Do I automatically think that something is trouble? Do I assume that the slightest whispering in our church family is going to be a massive fissure? Do I truly believe that God has my back, or do I ASSUME that I must figure things out for myself?

I began asking myself these questions as our Sunday School studied through II Samuel some time ago. In chapter 4 of II Samuel, we find the story of Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth was one of Jonathon’s sons. You remember that Jonathon was one of King Saul’s sons and heir to the throne of Israel according to man’s law. God anointed King David instead, but God gave Jonathon and David a deep friendship where no jealousy erupted. Jonathon agreed with God that David should be King. He…

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Mourning a Friend

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choices, hope, joy, mourning, weeping

                                        Mourning a Friend

I saw a friend slit her own throat today. Not physically, but spiritually speaking. You might think I’m being dramatic, but I’m not. That is truly what happened. I have a dear friend who had some choices to make. They were hard choices, I admit; choices that required a trust in God beyond the superficial. Choices that were life defining. She chose to leave God behind. There are very few times in my life that I have known the will of God for someone else, but I did for her. I knew it in the marrow of my bones. I prayed with her and for her. I gave her Scriptures. I let her talk everything out and she simply walked away from God. The many blessings that she has been given she chose to think she accomplished for herself. The encounters with God that she has had, she viewed as her due. At times, I wanted to scream at her, “When did God fail you?” But, I did not. I knew at that point it was no use. I was left watching her back as she walked away knowing that her choice was the poorest one that she could have possibly made.

My heart is so heavy for her. I feel as if I am in mourning. No, I am in mourning. She chose her own spiritual death today. What do you do with something like that? When my husband drew me into a hug later that day, I told him my very soul was hurting. There was no other description.

I went to sleep in exhaustion only to wake up still grieving. I still hurt for my sister and she is blissfully unaware. She truly believes that her choice was okay. I tremble for the direction that her life has taken, but she seems to have no fear. On days like this, I feel alone. I know it’s not true, but the feeling is there. In 1 Kings 19, Elijah had these same feelings. Verse 10 says, “…I have been zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”

God answered Elijah starting in verse 11, “So He said, ‘Go forth, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. And after that the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. And it came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold a voice came to him…”

That’s what I’m waiting for. I am waiting to hear my Father’s voice. I feel the gentle blowing beginning and I am straining to hear His voice. I need to be reminded by God Himself that He is my hope and that He is my help. I need to be reminded that when my face is turned towards Him, I am revived. When my face is looking at His face, I can remember that My God specializes in restorations and that becomes my focus. I need to be reminded today that God is a God of resurrections. In fact, it’s His specialty.

Luke 7 relates to us the story of Jesus encountering a widow mourning the death of her only son. Verse 13 tells us that He felt compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep.” He then touched the coffin and the funeral procession stopped. Jesus spoke to the dead son and said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” Verse 15 says, “And the dead man sat up, and began to speak…”

God can still bring the dead to life today. Hebrews 13:5 assures us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the same Miracle-Worker today as He was in the book of Luke. He is the same Resurrection and the Life as He was in John 11:25. Our God is the Great Resurrection!

That’s what I’m praying for. I’m praying for resurrection in my own life, but I’m also praying for resurrection in my friend’s life. Hope is never gone until the grave. Hope is never gone until the grave. Hope is never gone until the grave. So, I’m choosing to stop mourning through the power of Christ in me. I’m choosing to hope. I’m choosing to believe Psalm 71:5. “For Thou art my hope; O LORD GOD, Thou art my confidence from my youth.”

I’m choosing to believe Psalm 38:15. “For I hope in Thee, O LORD; Thou wilt answer, O LORD my God.”

I’m choosing to believe Psalm 30:11. “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.”

I’m choosing to remember Lamentations 3:22-26. “The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore have hope in Him.’ The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. It is good that he waits silently for the salvation of the LORD.”

I’m choosing to go to God and His Word and receive the resurrection that He has promised. I’m choosing to believe Romans 15:13 where God is called the God of hope. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of The Holy Spirit.”

I’m choosing the “now” of Romans 15:13 and I’m choosing the power of The Spirit. I’m choosing the God of hope. I’m choosing to believe in His resurrection. I’m choosing to believe that God can raise the dead, dry bones once again as He did in Ezekiel’s day and I’m choosing to believe what Psalm 30:3 says.  “…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”