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3.30.2011

Discouraged turned to Joy!

I am continually encouraged by the Proverbs 31 Ministries. What a wonderful thing the Lord is doing through this ministry, He deserves all the honor and glory for how they have reached people for Christ and encouraged many!

My day began in discouragement and satan had a plan to keep me there. The Lord had a bigger plan, He knew that I would feel discouraged but He wanted to bring me great joy. He blessed my day with coffee with an amazing sister, which brought great encouragement. I am so thankful that I can be honest and express my true feelings without fear. Just the simple reminder that the Lord is on my side, waiting for me to turn to Him daily, sometimes in every moment. To die to myself every day and yield to His will in each moment. As Psalm 86:15 says ... He is slow to anger, compassionate, gracious, and always faithful and true. His mercy is new every morning! (Lamentations 3:22-26). His desire is our faithfulness to Him!
2 Corinthians 12:9 talks about boasting in my weakness because in it I am strong. When I am weak, His power is used in me, I have strength because of His Holy Spirit that lives and moves in me. We all have those days that we are so discouraged and overwhelmed by the situations in our lives, but we can find great joy in Christ. He knows my hurt and the pain I must endure, He desires to take those burdens from me. Will I give it up? Will I let Him free me from the sin that holds me down and discourages me? Is it keeping me from being used by Him?
I can be honest with my God, He already knows my heart and He wants to bring me freedom. I'm trying hard to let Him lead and carry me though this time. Each day brings something new, a new somthing that I have to surrender, ask for His help and strength to get through it (Isaiah 43). He is always faithful to answer me!

My day has ended with joy! Joy of knowing that my God is with  me! He cares and He has a great things planned for me! He loves me for who I am, His creation!

3.29.2011

Freedom in Fasting

Today I read a devotional on Proverbs 31 Ministries website. It talked about the importance of fasting and how there is power when we sacrifice something.
Resently I have given up Facebook, not because it's a sacrifice but because there were so many things on there that satan was using to attack me. Also it can become a meaningless distraction from some other important things. So far I've done well. It's very freeing to not have the distraction. At first I thought it might be extremely difficult to keep myself away from clicking on the link and scanning the page for news/drama in other peoples lives. Surprisingly it wasn't that hard not to click on it. I started sending cards and using other ways of communication to contact friends. Yes I may be missing the happy moments on facebook, like my friend Abby who just got engaged. But life goes on, my life doesn't only exist on facebook. My value isn't found in facebook.
My value is found in Christ, my Creator! He has so much more for me than what Facebook can offer. I has carried me through one of the most difficult places I've ever been, He has healed the most wounded parts of my heart, showed me that I can trust His plan. Even though it seems like it's crazy and doesn't make sense to me, His plan is whats best; in the end, when it's all over I will see and know why His plan is best. Yes I'm not perfect, I have my days that I doubt and begin to question, but He quickly reminds me of His power and purpose in my life. What about you? Where do you place your value? Are you listening and obeying the calls that the Lord gives you? You can do it! His ways are best!

3.23.2011

My Jesus

MY JESUS!

I love the sound of it! He truly is mine, and He is yours too! My mind can not fathom the deepness of His love. Even in the midst of my great trials and frustrations, even the consequences I face for my sin, He is right there with me, inside me, giving me strength to carry on. This might sound like a jumbled mess but it's whats on my heart tonight.

He is my Rock, Comforter, Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Healer, Creator, Refuge, Sustainer! Holy is He! There is no one greater, no one higher, no one like our God! Mighty to save! Redeemer, friend, unchangable, always faithful, trustworthy, and leader! He is always speaking, moving, healing, and leading. He desires for me to trust and obey him, let Him lead, to let Him be the Lord of my life, and to lean on Him.

When I am so weak He wants to fight my battle, when nothing is left and I'm empty He wants to fill my cup and give me joy. He saved my soul and sacrificed everything for me, to free me from the guilt of my sin and proclaim His name to all the world! I am free! He is able and willing to help me! I am so undeserving of the love and healing He brings. He is the One that keeps my going each day, He will never leave me, always staying right by my side. When I feel completely alone, He is right there to keep my company. When it feels like I've lost it all, He is my everything, what I cling to. I am His, my soul belongs to Him and one day I will be in Heaven praising His name. He has plans for me far beyond anything I know, He has started a work in my life and He will complete it. I will remain faithful and true, I will walk with Him daily and remember the promises He has for me. Satan can not devour me... the Lord is my protector! I will sing His praises, I will rejoice and embrace His teaching.

He is My Jesus!!!!

3.01.2011

Forever My King!

Do you ever have a day where all you want to do is curl up on the couch, turn on Klove radio and dig into your Bible? Today is one of those days for me. I would much rather spend the day, praising, reading, and praying. Instead of going to work I would like to share with friends, talk about the Lord and how AMAZING He is.

Even though satan has already tried to make his way into my day, the Lord has blessed me and kept the evil one from discourageing me. I'm so blessed to have a Father who is always watching out for me. He is... almighty, knows all, sees all, speaks all, powerful, gracious, merciful, healer, unchanging, eternal, compassionate, redeemer... just to name a few.
These a few verses I read today.
Psalm 71:19,20 - For Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? You who have shown me many troubles and distresses Will revive me again, And will bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
12 - O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!

Hebrews 10:35-36 - Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

In the midst of a great trial and learning to trust in God a completely new way, I am constantly reminded that my God is my healer and will restore my soul. When I am so down and feel completely hopeless, if I simply ask for His help, for I am completely incapable to do this on my own, He will come to rescue me. He holds me in His hands and His protection is so much greater than my own. He reminds me of the blessings I will have once I surrender and let Him lead each step of my life. And all the glory goes to Him... I don't deserve any of it. I am only able to realize these things because He chose me as His daughter, and He chooses to speak to me.