God is Bringing…

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christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, encouragement, faint hearted, faith, future, Jesus follower, present, the is of God, the way He leads

This past weekend I was asked a question about how I had hope through my recent illness. To be honest, my mind went blank and I gave some answer that I can’t even really remember, but afterwards I began to recall all the ways that God had encouraged me. There were Facebook messages, cards in the mail, prayers of so many friends and Scripture verses that would pop into my mind at just the right moment. Honestly though, God wanted me so dependent on Him that I was often alone battling strength for each moment simply knowing that God was there even though things were difficult.

He is not a mean God. He is simply the best Teacher and I had asked for some things that He decided to say, “Yes” to. This time of convalescence was part of the way He could get me to where I needed to be. Wordy, I know, but the only way I can think to describe it.

I definitely remember one very important Scripture for me during that time. It was actually deeply embedded in my spirit before my illness and God kept reminding me of it throughout those months. Here’s what it is:

“For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fog trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; a land where you shall eat food without scarcity, in which you shall not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you.” – Deuteronomy 8:7-10

Did you catch the first part of this? “For the Lord your God is bringing you…” That “is bringing”is absolutely the best part of the passage for me. No matter what things look like around me, no matter what circumstances may appear to block my way, my God is bringing me into a good land.

Many times as I’ve struggled in a friendship, in finances, or with health God often reminds me that He is bringing me into a good land.

Remember that in the days ahead. Look around. Seek Him and see that He is bringing you into a good land, a place that will bring Him glory and a place much better than you ever imagined. Isaiah 64:4 says,“From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened, no eye has seen any God except You, who acts on behalf of the one who waits for Him.” Wait for Him. Seek Him. Focus on Him. He is bringing you into a good land.

My Story             Seeking Hearts Ministries

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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)