Perseverance

You know, life isn't easy. A lot of times, it really does feel like an uphill battle that has no end. While thinking about this can be overwhelming, I have found the greatest source of comfort. No matter how dark my day may seem, The Great Comforter is always there for me. God has never left my side and I take that as a never-ending blessing. Praise his name for the love and support he gives us. I can't just quote one verse for this, though there is a perfect passage to encompass what God does for us. 

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for though art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

God tells us that he doesn't expect us to do everything alone. He understands that we will need help. While we try to stay strong to our convictions and lead a righteous life, God is gently holding our backs straight and catching us when we slip ... or slip up. His love and mercy are endless. Our job is to make our efforts endless. A good friend of mine always says that God knows our hearts. If we really are trying and are being true to Him, God will know and reward our efforts.

God is amazing. What I like best about that is the ending of Psalm 23. No matter what happens on earth, it is the end result of eternity in a painless, hateless and sinless heaven. I have a merciful, loving world to look forward to for ever.

God, thank you for your gift of an eternal life we can receive. Give us assurance and patience as we wait for the day when we will sit in your glory for ever. Amen.

Making a Mission

I've become pumped about God. He is doing amazing things in my life and I'm excited about it. PRAISE GOD!!! Okay, I know that's a little radical, but honestly, I couldn't describe my feelings any better way. With all of the excitement from Him lately, it is easy for me to fulfill my duties as a Christian. Matthew 28:19 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." Of course, this is the Great Commission you hear about. 

What I find fascinating is how easy it is to tell people about God. At one time, I feared even mentioning God's name, worried I might offend someone. But how can I not give credit to the One who blesses me so much? It reminds me of the country song that goes, "I've gotta give credit where credit is due ..." and that is so true. God deserves the credit.

Lord, thank you for your abundant blessings that we are so grateful to receive. Give us the boldness and strength to claim you glory to others. We are servants to you, and only wish to bring you praise. Show us how to capture your wonder in our words so others can see it too. You are amazing and we could never deserve what you do for us, but thank you that it doesn't matter. Give us guidance as we set out on this mission to bring you continuous glory. Amen.

Hearing the Love

For a long time I didn't think God was talking to me. What I mean is, I'd never heard him directly speak to me when I asked him a direct question. I never doubted his word when it said he would always answer prayers and be there for us, but I just couldn't seem to feel it. It wasn't until yesterday at church that I realized I just couldn't see it. A woman sang a special song and her words were encouragement to my heart. I recently subscribed to Today's Christian Woman, a magazine, and each issue seems to address issues that I need help with. It is amazing how each of these nurtured my current needs.

That's when it hit me: God speaks to us through everything. While the magazine was a compilation of writers and their issues, God made it possible for them to be in one place to help the people who read it. That woman at church sang God's words in her song, which is what made it so special. 

All of these things are derivatives of God's Word, the Bible. In each story from TCW, writers quoted scriptures. While their stories were touching, the scriptures were what fed my soul. The singer's song was based on the words from the Bible.  That is why I received such love and blessings from them both. God tells us to read his word. That is how he communicates. Yes, he could whisper to us in person, but he has told us to read the Bible as good children of God, because that is how he wants to speak to us. We speak to him in prayer, and he speaks back in the words written in the Bible.

Colossians 1:4-5 says, "For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of truth of the gospel."

God has spoken to us through his word. God, thank you for speaking to us, even when we don't realized you are doing it. Thank you for nurturing our needs and serving as a great protector and comforter. Your love and affection is divine, and while we don't deserve it, we gladly accept it. Your way is perfect, and we thank you for making us a part of your way. Be with us and continue to speak to us through your word, so we might learn more from you. Amen.

Having a Name

My son's first word was "uh-oh" followed closely by "dada" and "diggy" (his pet name for our dog). I was so proud of him saying new words and learning. I became more and more disappointed, though, with each passing day when he didn't say my name. I wanted to hear him say may name and claim me as his mom.

Well, he finally did say my name. My heart melted and my face could hardly contain my elated grin. He knew who I was! He had called me by name! I know this is something every child does, but my child knew who I was enough to figure out my name. That says something.

It also says something about the way God feels about us. Just like I waited for my son to know my name, God waits for each one of us to call him by name and declare him as our Heavenly Father. Can you imagine how excited he must get? I could barely wait 12 months to hear Blaine say my name, but God sometimes waits decades, even centuries for us to call him Father. How excited he must be that we love him enough to find him and learn his name. Psalm 89:26 says, "He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation."

God wants to have a relationship with us and he will always wait for us, never giving up. But what happens if we don't find him in time? He can only wait as long as we are alive. After that, there is nothing he can do. Don't wait too long. He has so much to offer us, including the free gift of eternal life. God wants to be a father to us, he is the father of the fatherless. When we have no one to turn to, we can always turn to him.

God, thank you for giving us love, mercy and hope. Thank you for never giving up on us, even when we are so stubborn. You are truly holy and mighty. God, we want to know you as our salvation. We want to call on you in our times of need and our time of joy. Show us your way, God, so we can learn to follow you. Help us overcome our stubbornness and heal our broken hearts so we can give them to you. Amen.

Finding Comfort

A lady at my church told a story the other day about a rift between her and her daughter. She asked God to give her the right words so that she could connect with her daughter again and He did! God is a mighty force of love and goodness. When this lady told her story it made me think of how much comfort He brought her by reconnecting this woman and her daughter.

God is our great comforter. Psalms 23 is dedicated to how he leads us every step and is there to catch us when we fall. John 14:16 says, " And I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever." This is Jesus talking about how the Holy Spirit will dwell with us on earth after Jesus goes back to heaven. My Bible's notes say the Holy Spirit is to be here for us every day. Isn't God amazing, to give us a shield of comfort even here on earth. 

When I'm not having a good day or something goes wrong and I need a little love, I turn to God first because he always answers. Whether He offers a blanket of peace to calm my soul or an encouraging word, He is always there. Thank God for his consistent, unrelenting and unconditional love.

God you offer more than we could ever deserve and we thank you for your generosity. Bless you for blessing us and being our Great Comforter every day. We love you and are blessed by your love. Help us show your love and comforting hands to those around us who may need it as well. Be our guide and show us how to live life for you. Amen.

Giving up control

I'm going to hit on a sore subject for me tonight. One of the hardest commands I've had to swallow found in the Bible is about the duties of a wife. Now I love my husband and I'll do just about anything for him, but as he says, I kind of like to wear the pants. So when my Sunday school class touched on the foundations and stipulations of marriage, I cringed a little. Ephesians 5:22 says, "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord." Then verse 24 goes on to say, "Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing."

I have a hard time with this because my pride tells me that I am right. I don't like to tell my husband that he is right and that I'll do what he says. I'm pretty sure I know better than him, or at least that's what I tell myself. You can see why this is so hard from me. 

Even when I walked into my Sunday school class the day of this lesson, I'd convinced myself that this surely didn't apply to all women, especially in this day. I let my pride take control of me and my marriage and it costs me. Rox and I fight more when I don't go with what he thinks is right for the family. At the very least I need to work on giving in and listening to his ideas. Not only does it make me stubborn and argumentative, but he gets the feeling like he isn't good enough, smart enough, man enough to lead our family. I am saddened that I could ever make him feel this way. 

I am working on my attitude and control issues. After all, Proverbs 16:18 says, "Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." I don't want to destroy my marriage because I had too much pride to listen to my husband and follow his lead.

God, once again, thank you for your excellence guidance that you have given to us in your word. Help us read your word and understand your messages so we can be more like you. Give us the strength to change our ways when we error. Bless us Lord, as we strive to do your will. We give you all of the praise for the success we have on this earth and anticipate the day we get to spend eternity in your presence. Amen.