Word

I finished our church's 2 year bible reading plan on 12/31. I don't tell you this to boast but to encourage you. See I was the person who was way invested in Gods word in my youth but fell off track somewhere when life hit. I tried repeatedly to get back to the word but never really committed, I was gonna do it some day but not now. 2 years ago I made the commitment that the time was now. I wanted to know God better and reading His word is a major part of that. This experience has been transformational to my soul. God has spoke to me through His word so many times I did not even expect. It wasn't a perfect journey because I am not perfect. I would get behind in some seasons, I am pretty sure there's some chapters in 2 Chronicles I glossed over but the point is I made it a point to seek God in His word everyday and it truly has shown me how the Word can renew the mind and the heart and draw us closer to God.  It is never to late to commit to reading the Bible, you will be amazed I promise! I am so in love with Gods word I imagine I will spend my life seeking the truth of its pages. He is a good good father that left us this precious gift, a living word filled with all the truth we need all we have to do is open it 💗 Don't be worried about not understanding, pray for wisdom and God will give it to you! Just open the Bible and let your transformation begin!

His Spirit

As 2017 approaches I find myself asking what did I try to do this past year by my own might and my own power? What are the things that I could have given over to the Lord that I held on to? Where do I want to start fresh in the New Year? 

This verse in Zechariah 4:6 gives us a good answer to how we can accomplish Gods will for our life: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might not by power, but by My Spirit, Says the Lord of host."

Zerubabbabel could not do Gods work by his own power he needed Gods Spirit to accomplish Gods work! He had to trust God to give him what he needed to accomplish Gods work. Gods Spirit was a necessity, not an option!

We also need to trust God in all the areas of our life, and manage through His Spirit not our own power. We need to speak to Him and seek Him daily!

Is there an area where you have not trusted God? It's never to late to give that over to Him. Have you never known Him? Have you walked away, not prayed or picked up your bible in while? He is waiting and ready for you, His child! Zachariah 1:3 says "Therefore say to them, Thus says the Lord of host: "Return to Me," says the Lord of host,"and I will return to you," says the Lord of hosts."

Take time to inhale the good and bad of 2016. What can you do in the New year by the power of God? What can you turn over to Him that you have held back? How can you seek His Spirit this coming year? He already knows and sees what the year holds, trust Him and Seek Him and His Spirit will fill you beyond measure!

Walk Humbly

I have this shirt that says Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly... I know that's in scripture but where? I stumbled across it this morning In Michah 6. 

Michah was a prophet and in this chapter he is pleading Gods case to the the people of Israel. The  people respond in verses 6-7 with a complaint that no offering is good enough for the Lord not even their first born child (they could be a bit dramatic :) they were basically saying God was unreasonable but here is the beautiful response the Lord gives: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?" Micah 6:8 NKJV

You see the Lord doesn't want all of the riches you can throw at Him, He wants your heart! It is not the offering the Lord is seeking in us but the offerer. God is interested in the way we act, in our character, in the inner parts of our heart far far more than any gift we can give! 

The Lord wants us to act justly according to His standards, to love mercy because it triumphs over judgement time and time again, to be compassionate to our neighbor (who is everyone!) and to walk humbly with Him, as a constant companion  tuning our lives to the will of the Lord!

#actjustly #lovemercy #walkhumbly #withGod

Void

Mary wanted to know how the conception of Jesus could be possible since she had not been with a man. This was the response the angel gave her in Luke 1:45 "And the angel answered and said to her, “ The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

We think of the Holidays as an exciting and joyful time, and it is in when viewed from the light of our Saviors birth. Truthfully for many the Holidays can also be a painful reminder of what they don't have, money, lost loved ones, distant family and so on. In someways the season can magnify what's missing. 

The Holy Spirit came upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowed Mary's and filled her empty womb with the Savior of the world. 

Genesis 1:1-3 says "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said "Let there be light"; and there was light..." If you are faced with an empty feeling this season know this; our God is a God who knows how to take the darkest and emptiest spaces and fill it with something beautiful and amazing. He will not only fill the voided space but He will pour in His light in mighty and amazing ways!

God sees our hearts when they are broken, He knows when life feels empty. But if we will seek Him we will find Him and if we trust Him, He will take our empty and overflow it in ways we can't even begin to imagine! #Jesusisthereasonfortheseason

Honest Prayer

Reading in Psalm 143 this morning. I love how brutally honest David is with the Lord. He doesn't pray a fancy prayer that might please men rather he pours his heart out to the Lord. That is how I want my children to come to me yet I don't always take the time to give all of my hurt to God. Anybody relate? God is the one who can heal our pain, who can rescue us from the affliction of the enemy, He is the one who can revive a crushed spirit, He is the one who can fill us up when our cup is dry. 

Look how David prays to the Lord:

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.” Psalms 143:1-12 

Cause me to hear you Lord, Cause me to know the way, Teach me to do your will Lord, Lead me Lord, Revive me Lord, you are good, I trust you, I am your servant! Amen!

#praise #pray #trust #repeat #Heheals #Hiswordistrue #Godisgoodallthetime 

Praise for Prayer!

Psalm 30 is so beautiful! I love the way David rejoices over answered prayer! His passion and thankfulness are so inspiring!

“I will extol You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning. Now in my prosperity I said, “I shall never be moved.” LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled. I cried out to You, O LORD; And to the LORD I made supplication: “What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy on me; LORD, be my helper!” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalms 30:1-12 NKJV

Joy Comes

What a beautiful promise 💗 

“Those who sow in tears Shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalms 126:5-6 NKJV

If you are sowing seeds for the Lord and enduring suffering at the same time this verse is for you. While we may suffer a little while Abundant Joy will come! It comes in the morning! Let not grow weary of doing good for in time we will reap a reward, we will see a harvest! The Lords promises are true, let patience and perseverance perfect you in your times of suffering but DO NOT GIVE UP! God loves you and has a special plan for you!

#Godisgoodallthetime #Jesuslovesyou #Jesussaves #rewardedlife