Getting Through Today

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an encouraging word, anxiety, depeding on the Lord, dependence on God, encouragement, getting through the day, how to depend on the Lord, in this together, worry

John 15:5 says, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”

In Andrew Murray’s book Absolute Surrender, Murray says that the branch’s only job is to stay connected to the Vine. In other words, the branch doesn’t have to worry with where its nourishment will come from. It doesn’t concern itself with how much fruit it’s producing. It doesn’t even have to fret over what the future will look like. The branch’s only job is to stay connected to the Vine. In Scripture, this state of being connected is also called abiding.

Watchman Nee, in his book Sit, Walk, Stand, describes abiding as sitting in a chair. When you sit, he explains, you have faith the chair will hold you up. Your whole weight is depending on the chair.

I love that picture! It sounds easy. After all, I sit in chairs all the time. But, I confess, spiritually speaking, sitting, abiding, staying connected to the Vine does not come naturally. In this season of my life though, I am learning that this truly is the best way to live.

When I am connected to the Vine, to Jesus Christ alone, when I am abiding in Him, I am not filled with stress, I am filled with Him – His strength, His joy, His love.

So, whatever results happen (or don’t) I’m great with… because it’s all up to Him. If He decides I need lots of strength for what He has for me today? No problem. I’m attached to Him already, so I already have what I need at my disposal.

If He decides it’s time for me to forgive? No problem. His forgiveness is already flowing through me.

Need some love today? No problem. His love is already in me.

See how simple it is? Yet, most of the time, we make it so complicated.

Jesus says in Matthew 10:28, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest…” He goes on to say in verse 30 of this same chapter, “…For My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Let’s choose the easy path today, the less complicated perfect will of our Father and simply stay connected to our Vine, Jesus. Let’s sit in His presence, breathe Him in and de-stress knowing He’s got it all and simply abide as He has called us to knowing that all the branch has to do is stay connected to the Vine. He does the rest.

Seeking Hearts Ministries

My Story

** Photo by Kerry Vale Vineyard  “Adopt a Vine”

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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

My Story

 

What if I don’t get it Right?

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breathing, chillin, Christian encouragement, christian journey, christian walk, Christianity, devotional, devotions, diappointing God, disappointing others, encouragement, exhaustion, family devotions, getting your breath back, God's got this, no worries, stress, trying to get it right, worry

                                                      *image by odysseyonline.com

I was in Bible study a few weeks ago and was asked the question, “What do you most fear in your relationship with God?” The writer gave the examples of God not loving us, or that we’re not saved, etc., but what came to my mind was I am so scared that I will not be who He wants me to be. The last thing on this earth I want to be is a disappointment to the God of the universe, the very One who designed me for such a time as this. I’ve heard all the verses about Him loving me no matter what and that He is never disappointed because He is never surprised, but I’m just telling you what I thought in the moment.

So many times in my life I will have a doubt that will pop up and I cram it down thinking that “good Christians” don’t think things like that when in reality God’s Spirit just wants me to bring it to the light and let Him deal with it. So, that’s what I’m doing today.

The next part of the study I was doing asked us to get a Scripture that combats that particular fear. I thought to myself, “If I had a Scripture, I wouldn’t be having this issue.” I didn’t even really know how to find the Scripture. I mean, what kind of word study could you do on the fear of not being who God wants you to be?

Not even an hour later, I was reading through some Psalms trying to hear what God wanted me to say for the family blog I write on Mondays when I came across this gem – “The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Thy hands.” – Psalm 138:8

As I read this verse I took a deep breath and remembered once again that as long as I am saying, “yes” to Him continually, everything else takes care of itself. I don’t have to worry with whether I get it right. He gets it right. Every.Single.Time.

Why do I forget that it’s all about resting in Him? Why do I forget that when I abide in Him He takes care of the rest? He will accomplish whatever needs to be accomplished. It’s all up to Him, not me! Praise you, Lord! As I walk daily with my God, as I abide in Him, all that He wants accomplished through me will happen. He will not be disappointed in me because He will accomplish what concerns me.

Rest in that today. Remember, just keep saying, “Yes”. Keep abiding. Keep falling back into His arms. He will never leave you, or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). His love will never fail. His Word is true. No worries on getting it right every time, just peace that passes all understanding. Breathe today. He’s got you.

My Story     Seeking Hearts Ministries