Life on earth is full of trouble. It just is, but when these things pop up into our lives we have some choices to make. We can attempt to hide them away or we can be honest and bring them to Lord and Savior. We stay distracted and focused on the problem or we can turn our gaze to Jesus and praise him for being lighter than the difficulty we face. This post may contain some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. While journeying Quietly Through the Psalms I’ve […]
My God and My Coffee :: This Girl’s Struggle with Obedience
I have a confession to make. This girl has been having a serious struggle with obedience. So much so that I’ve been arguing with God. Yes, arguing. With the living God! Have you ever done that? Known that God was telling you to do something, and you, in all your “infinite” wisdom, attempted to explain to Him why His idea was not the best? Well I hope you haven’t, but I have. And I’ve been doing it a lot lately. Sad. I know. Thank goodness for His mercy! Anyway, the argument, was (in mind) over […]
How Does God Use All Things For Good?
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 This verse has been on my mind quite a bit lately. A few weeks ago I experienced something not so pleasant, and rather than focusing on the circumstance I asked the Lord to bring to my mind a verse to help me deal. All things work together for good to those who love God immediately showed up in my head. First, let me just say that I loooove when […]
Is God’s Grace Really Enough?
His grace is enough. I’m sure you have heard this a thousand, maybe even a million. God’s grace — His favor, His long-kindness, His good will — toward us is simply enough. That believing in His grace shown through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ will carry you through this life and into eternity far from the demand to live perfectly and sin free. His grace is enough. It paid the debt you owe for your wrong choice, decisions, actions. His grace says “it is finished!” And it is. But… But I keep […]
Go All Out or Don’t Bother :: Is That Right?
Once upon a time, long, LONG ago I was a gym rat. It was ridiculous. I spent most of my free time there and when I wasn’t there I was planning my workout for my next visit. Warm-up. Cardio. Abs. Free weights. Stretch. I probably knew a whole lot less about exercise than I thought I did, but I still went all out. All. Out. My philosophy was that if I wasn’t going to workout hard, I might as well not even workout at all. Then life changed. I got married and had my first […]
Expecting In the One Who Promises Good Things
“Oh, thank you Mommy. Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Those are the words of my two-year old the moment he sees that I have something he wants. He doesn’t ask for it or stomp his feet and demand it. He just says thank you and waits (not always so patiently) for me to give it to him. He’s expectant. Why? Because on some level — whatever level that is for a two-year old — he knows that I will provide for him. He knows, or at least expects that I will give him good things […]
I Don’t Know It All
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. ~ Proverbs 3:7 This is a small verse but it packs a lot of punch. We are simply reminded here that we don’t always have all the facts and that our opinions are just that – opinions. If you google the word opinion you’ll find this definition: a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. Too many of us believe our opinions to be fact and this verse warns us against this type of arrogance. The NLT puts it this way, “don’t […]
Loving Your Neighbor
And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself said to Jesus, “And […]
Hear Him!
Today, while reading how Jesus was transfigured on the mount (Luke 9:28-36), I was reminded to quiet my mind and focus on Jesus, not on my own plans or ideas. Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” -not knowing what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. And […]
Illogical Obedience
“That can’t possibly be God talking to me. That doesn’t make sense, it’s not logical.” Have you ever caught yourself thinking that or something like it? I have and unfortunately I do it quite often. But this week the Lord reminded me that obedience to Him takes faith. Always. And faith means we believe even though we may not understand. Consider these two passages from Luke: When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, […]