Hang Tight – (and other marriage advice)

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Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, couples, encouragement, faithfulness, family, family devotions, God in marriage, holding on to a relationship, husband, love, marriage, marriage advice, never giving up, practical marraige tips, staying together, wife

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Right now, in this moment, at this very minute, my marriage is really good. I’m not predicting what it will be like in an hour, but right now I am totally in love with my husband and I love spending time with him. Why am I telling you this? Well, many times that has not been the case. Throughout the years of our marriage the last person I often wanted to deal with was my man. Even when I became resigned to stay no matter what, the last thing I could have imagined was being happy. So, today I want to let you know that things are good and I want to encourage you to hang tight. If your marriage is not so great right now, I want to reassure you that it is worth it to stay.*

For whatever reason, I have been remembering lately a lot of what my husband and I have gone through over the years and been in awe that we are still together. We have been married for twenty-four years in just a few days. I know it’s not as long as some, but I can at least share what I’ve learned thus far and what I know for sure is that every single month of togetherness is a miracle!

I’m not going to get into the gory details of our past hurts because they are Mark’s and I’s alone, but just know from the outset that they have been deep and we know for a fact that our God is the Great Physician. It takes a miracle for a marriage to stay put. Hurts in a marriage run deeper than most. When you are vulnerable enough to promise to spend the rest of your life with someone, the harsh reality is that you are open to being wounded. After so many wounds, anything will die, including a marriage. The truly awesome thing is that even death is not impossible to heal for our God. He specializes in resurrections. So, if your marriage has hurts, gaping wounds, or is completely dead, God can soothe, heal and resuscitate. He is able! Hang tight!

So, let’s get to the nitty gritty of some issues that often come up in a marriage. First off, saying your sorry is worth it, I promise. Are you always wrong? Of course not! But, relationships are always worth the apology. Which is more important, you being right all the time, or reaching a better place with your spouse? There is a time and place to stand your ground, but please listen to the Holy Spirit and ask for His guidance (not your grandmother, mom, or friend, but God Himself). I know He tells you to cave in when you least want to, but I am promising you it is worth it! I understand wanting to be right all the time. You have no idea how much I understand this, but if we apologize often when the Holy Spirit does tell us to stand our ground our spouse will be more apt to listen. They will know that this is serious and not just our pride talking.

Secondly, the physical aspect of marriage is important. We all know this, but let me remind you that small touches throughout the day are super important as well as full on contact. If you are in a bad place in your marriage, sometimes simply having some physical contact can bring you back to realizing that this is the person you married. By touching their arm, holding their hand, giving a hug that lasts more than a brief second, or actually stopping the chaos and looking at them face to face can put you both in a better frame of mind. It helps us remember that we chose them and they chose us. We remember their touch. It’s familiar to our senses and it helps. Holding each other can be a good thing.

Third, (this is for the ladies), when is the last time you cooked for your guy? Before you freak out, or tell me I am crazy and old-fashioned let me remind you that “the way to a man’s heart is his stomach.” I’ve always heard this, but now I know it to be true. I have actually had my guy to tear up when realizing that I was fixing a favorite dish of his. It’s not cholesterol free and I thought he was going to think I was trying to kill him, but he was so excited. On another day, when he came home he stepped in the door and smelled supper (a home cooked meal) and got all sappy because he had had a really rough day.

It’s not just my guy, though. In the past, I have watched reality shows about marriage and one couple completely broke up over the wife never cooking a meal. No joke! In this same show, another couple faced the same dilemma. I can’t tell you why this is so important to guys, but it is. That’s how God wired them, so let’s not ask questions and just go with it. (If you google crockpot recipes, it will blow your mind and not overwhelm your already busy day. Once a month cooking is another great option.)

I know this blog seems like that I think things will be easily mended in your marriage by hugging and cooking, but let me assure you that I know marriage is rough. Sometimes, in our house it’s like two pieces of sand paper living together (loud pieces of sandpaper!). Everything we do seems to rub each other the wrong way. But, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the power of the written Word you can hang tight in your marriage. Galatians 6:9 tells us to not be weary in well doing. If God gives us the command, we know He empowers us to keep that command.

When you think that you can’t go on, remember that Christ in you can. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

When you think nothing can fix your marriage, remember that “Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26).

When you feel nothing for your spouse anymore, ask God to give you a new heart. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” Often times, we just don’t want to work at our marriages anymore, but God can change our wants. He can resurrect feelings that we thought were dead long ago.

You can’t save your marriage and you can’t make your marriage better, but God can. Hold on to Him. Hold on to each other and hang tight! It’s worth it!

*This blog is not encouraging anyone to stay in an abusive situation. If you are in an abusive situation, do not stay in that relationship. Please contact the local authorities to help you find a place where you can be safe.

http://www.seekinghearts.org              My Love Story

 

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What You Can Know

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basics of Christianity, Christian encouragement, christian walk, clinging to hope, devotional, encouragement, faith, faithfulness, family devotions, family time, focus, God, God's love, hope, joy, knowing, knowing God, life, love, our faithful God, perspective, truth

In a hymn by William Fullerton we see these words:

“I cannot tell how silently He suffered, as with His peace He graced the place of tears, or how His heart upon the cross was broken, the crown of pain to three and thirty years. BUT THIS I KNOW, He heals the broken hearted, and stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear, and lifts the burden from the heavy laden, for yet the Savior, Savior of the world is here.”

This beautiful hymn reminded me that even if life is intense and confusing, even if things around me are murky and unclear, there are many things that I do know. Many things that I can still trust. Many things to be encouraged by. Here are just a few:

God is love.

1 John 4:16 – “And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.”

Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore, I have continued to extend faithful love to you.”

God is good.

Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love is eternal.”

God is light. No darkness dwells in Him.

I John 1:5 – “Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.”

God is my protection.

Psalm 36:7 – “God, Your faithful love is so valuable that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

God is my sanctuary.

Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

Psalm 71:3 – “Be a rock of refuge for me, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and fortress.”

God is my portion.

Psalm 16:5 – “LORD, You are my portion and my cup ⌊of blessing⌋; You hold my future.”

Psalm 119:57 – “The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.”

God is faithful.

Psalm 36:5 – “LORD, Your faithful love ⌊reaches⌋ to heaven, Your faithfulness to the clouds.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you are able to bear it.”

God is present.

Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

God is glorious and righteous.

Psalm 97:6 – “The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory.”

God is sovereign.

Psalm 138:8 – “The LORD will fulfill ⌊His purpose⌋ for me. LORD, Your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of Your hands.”

God is kind.

Romans 2:4 – “Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”

God is peace.

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”

John 16:33 – “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Philippians 4:9 – “Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.”

God is Healer.

Psalm 103:3 – “He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases.”

Luke 6:17-19 –“After coming down with them, He stood on a level place with a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. The whole crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming out from Him and healing them all.”

God is trustworthy.

Romans 4:20, 21 –  “He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

God is incomparable.

Psalm 40:5 – “LORD my God, You have done many things— Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak ⌊of them⌋, they are more than can be told.”

God is greater.

1 John 4:4 – “You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

God is FOR me.

Psalm 56:9 – “Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.”

God is worth it.

2 Samuel 22:4 – “I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I was saved from my enemies.”

Revelation 4:11 – “Our Lord and God, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You have created all things, and because of Your will they exist and were created.”

So, be encouraged. Even when life is bombarding you with situations out of your control and you are struggling to keep your head afloat, cling to what you know. Cling to the God you know. He will not fail.

Fullerton went on to write in his hymn:“I cannot tell how He will win the nations, how He will claim His earthly heritage, how satisfy the needs and aspirations of East and West, of sinner and of sage, BUT THIS I KNOW, all flesh shall see His glory, and He shall reap the harvest He has sown, and some glad day His sun will shine in splendor when He the Savior, Savior of the world is known.”

Trust that today. Trust what you know. Trust in the One you know. God has never failed anyone throughout all eternity and He will not fail you!

Seeking Hearts Ministries      My Story

When You Can’t Find Your Voice

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all things for good, battles, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, control, deep concerns, deep questions for the believer, devotions, encouragement, exhaustion, faith, faithfulness, finding your calling, finding your voice, finding yourself, God, God can so why won't He, health issues, hope, Jesus, mid-life crisis, struggle, struggle in the trusting, trust, why

Millfield Singing Praise My Soul  (BBC.co.uk)

When you’re trying to find yourself again, it’s hard to find your voice.

As many of you have probably realized, I’ve been less active on the blog lately. I’ve been feeling guilty about it, but at the same time I just simply haven’t had much to say. As I’ve been struggling in several areas of my life, I’ve just been needing to absorb some things and I’m learning that that’s okay. I’m learning not to panic over it. I will find my voice again. Actually, I will find His voice again and this I know…He is faithful to call. He is the same God yesterday, today and forever and sometimes life needs to slow down so that I can hear Him.

I have to remember that when I really want my kids’ attention, I usually have to whisper. Yelling just doesn’t seem to get their attention like a whisper. When I yell, they continue on with whatever they’re doing because they think they can still hear me, but when I whisper, they stop, they come closer, they lean in and their attention is focused on me. That’s what God’s been doing with me. He’s whispering and as I am pressing in closer, I can hear His sweet voice once again. He has never left me. He is still speaking to me. I just needed to attune myself to His volume. I still have no idea who I am right now, who I’m going to develop into, but I have confidence in the God who does know, my God, the one Who is Faithful and True.

For example…I have no idea who I am without sugar being key in my life (or flour for that matter), but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without two boys at home, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without intense exercise in my life, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without the concentration to have long, intense devotional times with my Savior, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without being involved in EVERY single activity at church, but my God knows.

I have no idea who I am without being able to sing for as long and as loud as I want, but my God knows.

My God knows who I am and who He is developing me to be and I trust Him. I. Trust. Him.

As He is teaching me who He wants me to be in this season of my life, I’m starting to hear His whisper once again. I’m finally getting close enough again to hear. I’ve been a little mad and He knows that, but I’ve missed His arms. I’ve missed His voice. I LOVE His voice and now He is telling me that it’s okay if I give 30 minutes (or less) to Him each morning instead of longer. I find myself questioning this. After all, don’t you get closer to Him, don’t you become “better” the more time you devote to Him? I’m learning though that in times of fatigue, when you are simply trusting Him for the next step (literally), He actually likes that just as well. That knowing His presence is strengthening you, the minute-by- minute trusting, He’s really into that. I’m finally starting to rest in that knowledge, that whisper.

I’m also learning that it’s okay if boxes at church for a “good” pastor’s wife go unchecked. That’s a struggle…the wanting to be “the best pastor’s wife ever”. Good grief! Can you hear the pride? I finally can.

I’m learning that it’s okay if I have to lay in bed instead of walk some hills in order to reserve my energy to make supper later that day. I love exercise, but I’m learning that my priority is my family. I need to show it, not just say it.

I’m learning that it’s okay to feel His grace cover me when my concentration simply isn’t there to focus on Bible studies as before.

And, I’m learning that it’s okay to struggle with the want of sugar (and flour), but it’s also okay to know that He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond whatever I could ask or think in the area of my food choices.

I’m also learning that God places people in my path who are there to strengthen and encourage and it’s okay to be vulnerable. They aren’t the usual sources and I am continually amazed, but His kindness through others has been astounding. Most don’t understand and don’t want to know what’s happening and I’m learning that that’s okay; it just makes the ones that do reach out shine like the treasures they are.

So, as I find my voice through Him once again, I pray that you do as well. I pray that if you know exactly who you are in Him today that you will shout it to the rooftops, but I pray that if you are struggling to find yourself, you will press in closer to Him. He has not forgotten you. He has you in the palm of His hand. He is Your Resource, Your Hope, Your Future. Hear His magnificent whisper to you today.

Seeking Hearts Ministries          My Story

When God Doesn’t do what you Want

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I’ve said for some time now that there is a certain crisis of faith that comes to every human when deciding whether they believe God can do what He says He can do. Can He really save me? Can He really heal? Can He really drop manna from the sky? And then, there is the crisis of faith that comes when you know without a doubt that God can move mountains, but He’s just not doing it for you. I mean, what is more frustrating than knowing that someone, anyone, can help, they’re just choosing not to? When that happens, a whole new crisis of faith occurs. Your mountain is looming large and you know your God can move it, but He’s choosing not to and you are left floundering with questions. Is my God really good? Can my God really be trusted? Does He really have a plan for my good? Do I really matter to Him?

I’m not going to pretend to know all the answers to why God is allowing certain things in your life. I’m not even going to pretend to know why He is allowing certain things in my life. I’m not going to pretend to have the answers as to why God would allow children to have cancer, rapists to go free, or even why food can’t be put on every table this week? But, I can tell you (and me) what to focus on when God doesn’t do what we want Him to do.

Let me start by assuring you that you do indeed have a good God. You have a God who does choose to move mountains for you. You have a God who wants you to look like Him and act like Him and love Him as He loves you. You have a never failing, never ceasing, never forsaking God who has a detailed plan for you since before the first molecule was on this earth. Know that because it’s true.

Lamentations 3:17-26 says, “My soul has been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is. Then I thought: My future is lost, as well as my hope from the LORD. Remember my affliction and my homelessness, the wormwood and the poison. I continually remember them and have become depressed. Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! I say: The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him. The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for deliverance from the LORD.” Verses 31-33 go on to say, “For the Lord will not reject us forever. Even if He causes suffering, He will show compassion according to His abundant, faithful love. For He does not enjoy bringing affliction or suffering on mankind.”

This passage is so great. We get to see the struggle that Jeremiah had with what was happening all around him and to him. He couldn’t understand it and he became depressed. He even admits in this passage that he lost his hope in the Lord. Then, he decided to remember who His God is. He decided to think about God’s faithfulness, His love and His mercies. He decided that The Lord was his portion for this life and his hope. He decided to rest in God knowing that His God would come through. God’s deliverance obviously wouldn’t look like Jeremiah thought it would. It obviously wouldn’t come at the time that Jeremiah thought that it should, but Jeremiah decided to look up, remember His God and trust. That’s the kind of faith I want, don’t you?

First John 1:5 tells us, “Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.” You can trust that. Our God has no ulterior motives. He has no dark side. He is good. He is holy. He is true and He. Is. In. Love. With. You.

Song of Solomon 7:10 says, “I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me.” God’s desire is toward you. God wants to be with you. He wants to be so melded with you that all people see is Him being uniquely displayed through your personality, your giftings and your sweet face. He has fashioned you for such a time as this and will not stop pursuing you until every fiber of your being is His. He is obsessed with you. Hebrews 13:5 says He will never leave us and Zephaniah 3:17 says He sings over us.  That is not a God who fails. That is a God who loves. Believe that today. Know it with every fiber of your being. If you have to be like the father in Mark 9:24 who said, “I do believe!” and then, quickly added, “Help my unbelief,” so be it, but keep pressing in to your God. He can be trusted. He will come through. He will strengthen you for the task and He is worthy of every fragment of faith you place in Him. He has you, precious one. He has you. Rest in that today.

Seeking Hearts Ministries          My Story

 

 

 

 

Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

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burdens, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, clinging to the altar, clinging to the horns of the altar, don't stop praying, encouragement, exhaustion, faithfulness, family devotions, horns of the altar, our faithfulness, perseverance, prayer

The other day I was scanning through Netflix trying to find something to watch while waiting for my man to finish up with a project. Of all the great things for me to choose from (ahem), I started to watch Galaxy Quest. It had been years since I had watched it and I was astonished at some of the actors in it…but I digress. If you will remember, Tim Allen played the part of an actor who acted in a T.V. series like Star Trek. He was the captain and whenever their “crew” hit a rough patch, he would say, “Never give up! Never surrender!” I literally watched ten minutes of it, my man finished his project and off we went about our evening.

The next day as I was praying and thinking about some “hard cases” that were on my list all of the sudden I heard that crazy motto from Galaxy Quest: “Never give up! Never surrender!” Isn’t that a great mantra for Christians? How many of us have people on our prayer lists that have been shuffled to the side of our minds because we have just become negligent, or we have given up? We would never say that out loud, but that’s the truth of it. After a few years, or months, or days, we have simply stopped praying. We expected things to happen quicker than they did, so we relegated that job situation, or relationship, or person who needs Jesus to the category of throwing a prayer at it every now and again just in case God still wants us to pray about it.

I’m here to tell you that God does want you to keep praying about it and I want to encourage us (and by us I mean me) to never give up and never surrender!

In First Kings 1 we see a man who would not let go of the horns of the altar. He was there to save his own life, but we can definitely use the illustration to remind us that there are situations and people who are worth clinging to the altar for. First Kings 1:50-53 says, “Adonijah was afraid of Solomon, so he got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar. It was reported to Solomon: “Look, Adonijah fears King Solomon, and he has taken hold of the horns of the altar, saying, ‘Let King Solomon first swear to me that he will not kill his servant with the sword.’” Then Solomon said, “If he is a man of character, not a single hair of his will fall to the ground, but if evil is found in him, he dies.” So King Solomon sent for him, and they took him down from the altar. He came and paid homage to King Solomon, and Solomon said to him, “Go to your home.”

When we never give up and never surrender in prayer we are clinging to the horns of the altar like Adonijah. We are refusing to give up for the sake of our friends, family, neighbors and even those who don’t like us very much. We need to be like Adonijah and cling to the horns of the altar. We need to be willing to never let go and never surrender for the sake of those who need Jesus. Jude 23 says that we can actually “snatch them out of the fire”. I want to be a fire snatcher, don’t you?

We need to cling to the horns of the altar for our job situations that we have given up on. We need to cling to the altar for our marriages. We need to cling to the altar for our country, our church and our communities. We need to cling to the altar when things seem bad and when things seem good. When Jesus comes to take us home to Glory, may He find us clinging to the horns of the altar for someone, somewhere.  May He find us never giving up and never surrendering.

As King Solomon had to send people to take Adonijah down from the altar, I want Jesus Himself to have to remove us from our places of prayer when He returns. And then, as Adonijah did, we will come before our King, pay homage with great joy because He is so worth it and then He will say to us more than just, “Go to your home”. He will tell us things like, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” “Look what I’ve prepared for you,” and “You are home.”

He is so faithful. Let’s be faithful to Him and cling to the horns of the altar for someone today. Oh, and remember … Never give up! Never surrender!

Go be with Jesus today!

Seeking Hearts Ministries         My Story

Overworking the Dough

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American Dream, baking bread, bread, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, contentment, devotional, devotions, encouragement, Faithful is He that calleth you, faithfulness, making bread, trust

Contentment is something none of us like to talk about, (or maybe it’s just me that doesn’t like to talk about it). It is definitely not part of the American Dream and is often seen as a lifestyle with no goals, no ambition and just going with the flow of things like that not too smart surfer dude we’ve all seen on T.V.

Biblical contentment is so different than this picture. In fact, I think that the Biblical rendition of contentment is some of the hardest work we are called to do. There is nothing lazy about it. The apostle Paul says in Philippians 4 that he had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he found himself. He says in verse twelve, “I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.” Notice he says there is a secret to contentment and he had to learn it. He admits to us that contentment does not happen naturally. It takes work. He doesn’t leave us wondering though. In the very next verse Paul tells us how he has learned the secret of being content. It says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul willingly admits that only through Christ’s strength can contentment be a part of who he is and who we are. That doesn’t sound lazy to me. In fact, contentment sounds like hard work if it can only be accomplished through the strength of Christ.

We see that contentment is not defined by laziness, it’s defined by resting. There is a big difference. Laziness is simply sitting on your bum and not doing the work you are called to do. Resting is completing your tasks and then, well, resting. It reminds me of baking bread. You get your recipe out that the great recipe creator of all time designed (Betty Crocker). You get your ingredients out. You mix all of the ingredients at their proper time and in their proper way, checking your recipe continually. Then, you work the dough. You knead it until your wrists are going to fall off. Then, you let it rest. You might go to another task, or you might read a book for a while, or even watch T.V., but you leave that dough alone. Are you being lazy? No! You are content with letting the bread rise. When the time is right, you will go back to the dough, work with it some more and once again allow it to rest. At the proper time, the dough finally gets put in the oven where once again you will rest while the bread is doing its thing. The awesome aroma of baked bread fills the space and you are content knowing that the recipe you followed has helped you produce the results you want.

Just like making bread, in our spiritual life, we get the recipe out (the Word of God) and we get the ingredients together for the task He has before us. As we check the recipe continually, we are sure to mix the right ingredients at the proper time and in the right amounts. Then, we work the ingredients until His Spirit in us says to let it rest. That’s when it gets hard. We look at the lump of dough and then back at God and say, “But, it’s not finished.” We try to work the dough more and finally He has to stop us in some way knowing that we will ruin the dough if we don’t allow it to rest. This is what contentment is all about. Trust. We have to know that even though we aren’t “working the dough”, He is.  Second Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” This verse tells us that we are called, but ultimately, He does the work. He is completing the perfect work while we rest in Him. Are we lazy? No. Some of the hardest work we will ever do will be resting in Him, learning contentment and not over-working the dough.

I might just nail that phrase to my forehead: “Don’t overwork the dough!” If there is something that drives me to distraction, it is an uncompleted task. Learning contentment is knowing when to step back and let the dough rest in Him. That doesn’t mean it’s unfinished. It just means He has it handled. Contentment is remembering that if I keep working the dough it will become unusable, but when I allow it to rest in Him, it will turn out perfect every time.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

My Story

Remembering the Lord

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Christian encouragement, christian walk, Christianity, deliverer, encouragement, faithful, faithfulness, fights our battles, God, God fights for us, help, help in need, meditating, meditating on the Lord, present help, refuge, remembering who God is, shield, who God is

I just need to be reminded a few things today and I thought I would take you along on the journey.

First off, I need to be reminded that God is my Shield! Psalm 3:3 says, “But Thou, O LORD, art a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.” I know from this verse that nothing can get passed my God without His allowing it. I also know that He is my constant source of protection and while His shield is about me, He reaches down and lifts my chin up so I can focus on Him.

Secondly, I need to remember that God is my Refuge! Psalm 62:8 says, “Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.” He is my safe place. I can say anything to Him. He gets it. Psalm 91:2 says, “I will say to the LORD, ‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’”

I’m also reminding myself today that God is my Strength! Isaiah 12:2 says, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” If God is my strength, how can I possibly think of myself as weak? When the God of the universe is my muscle, well, all I can say is, “Wow.”

Fourth, God is my Deliverer! David says in Psalm 18:2, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” My God will deliver me! The deliverance might come in unexpected ways and it may not look like I want it to. It might not even be the time I think it should be, but my God is my Great Deliverer!

Another thing that I need to be reminded of is that God is here with me! Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” I need not worry over anything if the God of the universe is present in my situation and this verse assures me that He is. He is here. He is always with me.  Hebrews 13:5 assures us of this as well. It says, “…He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

Sixth, God is faithful! Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” I need not be concerned with whether God remembers His promises to me. He is faithful. He remembers and He will do what He has promised on my behalf.

Seventh, God is my help! Psalm 121:1-3 says, “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; from whence shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.” I need not look to my husband, my sister, my best friend, my children, or my own mind to figure things out, my God is here and He has it handled.

Another great reminder is found in Second Chronicles 20:15. It says, “… ‘Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.” Verse seventeen of this same chapter says, “You need not fight this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf…” So, not only is God with me, not only is He shielding me, He is also fighting my battles for me. He wants me to see His salvation and the only way I can do that is by getting out of His way. I need to stand where He tells me to stand and let Him do His thing. He’s got it and just in case you are wondering…He wins. Every. Single. Time. My reminder for the day? God fights my battles!

Psalm 16:8 says, “I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” That’s what I am choosing to do today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I will set the Lord continually before me. I tried this yesterday and it ended in epic failure, but His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) and I’m giving it another go because He is worth it. I’m going to print these verses and stick them on my forehead if need be because my God can be trusted and He says He’s got this. I’m believing Him for that.

I just needed these reminders as encouragement today and I pray that they helped you in some way as well. Isaiah 35:3 and 4 tells us to, “Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage and fear not. Behold, your God will come…” So, if you know someone who needs these reminders, please pass it along. Oftentimes, we know these things in our heads, but God has to drive them deep in our hearts and we need brothers and sisters in Christ who are ready and willing to encourage us in that journey. Remember each other, but above all remember that God is your shield, your refuge, your strength, your Deliverer, your help; He will fight your battles. He is here and He is faithful…always.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

We Didn’t Mean for it to Happen

Tags

assumptions, battles, bitterness, burdens, calling, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, devotions, encouragement, exhaustion, faithfulness, fertile soil, God, laziness, overgrowth, sluggards, thistles, thorns, unkept fields, weeding, weeds

Proverbs 24:30-32 says, “I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked and received instruction.”

When I read this the other day, I couldn’t help but think of a lot of areas in the lives of Christians today. I thought of the state of our families, our personal testimonies and our churches. We didn’t mean for things to become this chaotic, it just somehow happened. We didn’t mean for our lives to become so busy that the thorns and thistles of life took over, but now we look around and so many minor things have become major. We didn’t mean for our church fields to become fallow and weedy, but that’s exactly what they are. We didn’t mean for it to happen, but it did.

This passage in Proverbs tells us that the people involved didn’t mean for things to get as bad as they did, they just weren’t paying attention. They were tired. They were idle and the weeds grew. I’m sure the sluggard would have much rather the field still be ready for a harvest, but he had rested too long and things had gotten out of hand. He didn’t actually go out to his field and sow the thistles. He just didn’t do anything, or if he did anything, it sure wasn’t enough. Thistles took over and one day I’m sure he looked at his field and was shocked to see the work that it would take to remove all the overgrowth. He must have thought, “Is it worth it? Do I even need to bother to try to get this mess fixed? Is there still hope for a harvest?”

I think a lot of Christians feel this way today. We didn’t mean for a standard to fall. We just didn’t stop the progress of the weeds. We got tired of pulling the same stinkin’ thistles over and over again. We wanted to rest, but just for a little while. After all, that video game isn’t really that bad for our kids. That book is supposed to have great educational properties, so we’re sure it’s okay this time. We got tired of always being the parent that says, “No.” Or, we got tired of always being the one to apologize, so we decided that relationship was finished until they apologize. Unfortunately, they never did, so we allowed a root of bitterness to grow (Hebrew 12:15). We didn’t mean for it to happen. We were just too tired to continue the work.

Do you see how easy it is? How easy it is to simply do nothing? When we do nothing, the weeds come quickly and in abundance. The nettles grow and the next thing we know our wall is tumbling down due to the pressure from the weeds. Our ancient landmarks simply vanish (Proverbs 22:28) because we forget that our strength is in the Lord. We grow weary in well doing because we forget that God makes our feet like hinds’ feet to make us walk on our high places (Habakkuk 3:17-19). We forget that He is our Source and our Deliverer (Psalm 37:40). We forget and the weeds grow.

I’m sure all of us remember the famous quote: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” Well, in the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah decided that he was going to stop doing nothing. We read that the Lord told him to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. We see that Nehemiah was granted favor from the king, but of course, he had quite a bit of opposition throughout the process.

This is our plight as well. We have the favor of our King to rebuild our walls, but the opposition is great. When we start pulling the weeds of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness, it is going to get Satan’s attention and the opposition will be strong. We have to be determined to not give up. I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” When you are willing to start pulling the weeds, the Holy Spirit’s rain will fall and soften the soil. Hosea 6:3 says, “…His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.” The Word also assures that He will be pulling right alongside you and He will refresh your spiritual muscles when things get too rough. He is so faithful!

Satan will be an opposing force, but so will those we affect. If we have let our standards come down with our family, (our walls if you will), they will be a forceful opposition as well. If you have allowed a television show, a video game, a song choice, a book, or anything else in your home that shouldn’t be there and now you are pulling those weeds out….watch out….opposition is headed your way. Be sure and explain your stance and pray together about the situation. You may even need to ask their forgiveness for letting those particular weeds in, but don’t grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Keep pulling the weeds. Nehemiah said to the Israelites in Nehemiah 4:14, “… ‘Do not be afraid of them; remember the LORD who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.’” I know that nothing can cause more fear in the heart of a parent than a confrontation with a child about removing something they have fallen in love with, but it will be worth it. It may feel like you are fighting with your children, but remember you are really fighting for them. They are worth the work.

Another opposing force will be yourself. Weeding is hard work! And, the longer the job has been left unattended, the harder it is. Everything not of God must be cleared out and then the boundaries must be reset. Not only that, but once everything had been re-established, things must be maintained, or you are right back where you started. It sounds exhausting, but remember this is your calling. We are called to fight for our fields of influence. We are called to protect the land the Lord had entrusted to us. We are called to keep our fences up and our weeds out. But, we are not alone in the endeavor. We are never alone. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that our God will never leave us or forsake us. He never gets tired, or lazy. He never sleeps. Hebrews 13:6 goes on to say, “…we confidently say, ‘The LORD is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?’”

So, no matter how bad the prospect of weeding looks, God is calling you to get to it. Your fields are at stake. Your family is at stake. Your church is at stake. Your life influence is at stake. Determine not to be a sluggard. Determine to be the workman that He has called you to be (Ephesians 2:10) and know that the day you look at the garden of your life and just see beautiful, pliant, fertile soil that you will know that your God can do exceedingly, abundantly whatever you can ask, think, or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Then, you will be able to sing at the top of your lungs, “To God be the glory great things He hath done!”

Seeking Hearts Ministries

Even Though

Tags

faithfulness, false gods, idols, manna

 

 

Even Though…

 

   Exodus 32:1-5 says, “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people assembled about Aaron, and said to him, ‘Come, make us a god who will go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ And Aaron said to them, ‘Tear off the gold rings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, your daughters, and bring them to me.’ Then all the people tore off the gold rings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf; and they said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.’ Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and said, ‘Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD.’”

   Familiarity with this passage can sometimes lead us to pass over nuggets that the Lord has left for us. Over the last few hours, I have literally seen five or six new things in this Scripture that I have never noticed before. I love that about the Word of God. God’s Word never changes, but it is alive and active. It is like a diamond in that when the Holy Spirit shines His light upon it, a new facet is discovered. How can we tire of something so amazing?

  In Bertha Smith’s book “How the Spirit Filled My Life”, she says this regarding the passage above, “Not only had the calf been made, but sacrifices had been offered to it. The Israelites, who were daily eating the bread from heaven, gave God’s glory to that calf.”

  I confess I had never thought about the fact that the Israelites were STILL receiving manna during this extreme act of idolatry. Was this true? Was God still providing sustenance to the Israelites while sin was running rampant through the camp?

  In Exodus 16, we read where God began to provide manna for His people. He states clearly that manna would fall from heaven each morning as dew. The people would gather enough for the day every morning, except on the sixth day. On this day, they would gather twice as much in order to observe the Sabbath. At times, God provided meat, but overall, manna was the constant provision of the LORD God.

  In Joshua 5:12, we see where God stops the manna. Was He tired of providing? No, the Israelites had started eating the fruit of The Promised Land so manna was no longer necessary. He was still providing, but in a totally different way. Their time in the desert was over.

  Obviously, Exodus 32 is between these Scriptures. So, manna is still on the ground. The people of God are still being provided for during Moses’ absence. I have always thought that there must not have been a word from the Lord during this time, but there clearly was. Every time the manna fell each morning, God was assuring His people that He was faithful. He was assuring them that He was still in control and had their needs met before they woke up each day.  He was assuring them that even without Moses, they still had a relationship with Him. They were His people.

  As they came up with their plan to create a new god we have to wonder, “Where did they think the manna had come from that very morning?”

  Exodus 32, verse 6 tells us that the people sat down to eat and drink in celebration of their new found god. What did they eat and drink? They were literally drinking and eating what their true God had provided. Mind boggling, isn’t it? They were plainly holding in their hands the provision of God Himself yet, they were worshipping an idol. Not any idol, but an idol they had created themselves. They literally saw it formed before their very eyes, but they still served it.

  It’s astounding, truly, until I stop and think about my own life. I confess that I have done the same. I have prayed for ministry opportunities and when given those opportunities I have, like Aaron, taken God’s provision into my hands and “fashioned it with a graven tool into a molten calf” (verse4). I have crafted things into my image instead of the image of Christ. I have wanted things to look a certain way, be a certain way, and feel a certain way (and by certain, I mean my way). I have molded and crafted and shaped things into gods in one hand while eating from His provision in the other.  

  I have created other gods as well. False gods like fear, when all around me the one true God has provided perfect safety.

  Another false god has often been self, even while acknowledging any talent or skill has been provided by my Father.

  I have created the god of pride while quoting Scriptures about how there is nothing good in me.

  I could list god after god against provision after provision.

  He is ever faithful. He is ever Provider. Even when I choose to use that provision as a god, He is still Sustainer. He still provides sustenance when I am clearly following my own god. He is still the ever present Helper in trouble. He is still the Great I Am. He is still the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is still God alone.

  As we go about our day today may we be ever mindful of what we are worshiping; may we see clearly that everything we take for granted is provided by God alone.  

 Remind us, Lord. Remind us that You alone provide ALL things. You alone sustain and are ever faithful. Bring us to repentance where needed and fill us with You, replace us with You. May our every thought be of You, in Jesus’ Name.

 

God’s Faithfulness

Tags

faithfulness, God, Jesus, lovingkindness

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 never leave or forsake us. This verse assures us that when we have the Lord (and if we want Him, we have Him) we have no need of anything else. When we have the Lord, He comes with all His power, all His provision and all His character. Of course we can be content with that! His faithfulness allows us to live in freedom of covetousness because we know if it’s what we need in the moment; it is already there with us through Him.

  Another passage that shows us God’s faithfulness is in Luke 7. Here we read about a man named Simon who invited Jesus to his home for a meal. A “sinful woman” barged in, broke a box of expensive perfume and anointed Jesus’ feet. You remember she wiped His feet with her hair and continually wept over Him and kissed His feet. Simon’s response was poor and Jesus lovingly corrected him, forgave the woman of her sins and continued on with His ministry.

  As I have been studying this passage lately, what has really stood out to me has not been the woman this time, but Jesus Himself; more specifically, His faithfulness to go wherever He is invited. In Jesus’ response to Simon, He pointed out that Simon did not provide for Him common courtesy in his home. Simon provided no water, no welcome kiss, and no real hospitality. But, Jesus came anyway. Jesus knew these courtesies would not be provided, yet because Simon invited Him, He went. This is our God. If He is invited, He is FAITHFUL to come. I wonder if the other guests were provided water and kisses. Was Jesus the only one ignored? Were others being welcomed in the customary way, but He alone was not? We really don’t know, but what we do know is that Jesus was given nothing for His basic comfort, yet He chose to come anyway.

  This has led me to wonder how often I have invited Jesus somewhere only to not give Him the honor He deserves. How often have I invited Him to a church service only to ignore His prodding? Have I just wanted a miracle and not the Savior? How often have I invited Him to work in a certain area in my life only to disengage with His Spirit at the earliest possible convenience? Have I wanted a show, but not the redemption? How often have I invited Him to ride along with me in my car when all I really wanted was protection, not conviction? But, He was always faithful to go with me, because I invited Him. He knew that I would ignore Him, but he still came. Why? It’s who He is! He is faithful, always. 

    II Timothy 2:13 tells us, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.”

   II Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and GOD IS FAITHFUL, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”

   Revelation 19:11a says, “And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True;”

   Lamentations 3:22-23, says, “The LORD’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.”

Let’s meditate on His faithfulness today and praise Him that His faithfulness does not depend on us. It’s totally Him.