I trust in the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. Psalm 31:6-8
God has seen all of it. All of your hesitations. Your unbelief. Your drama.
God has seen all of your afflictions and distress deep down in your soul.
YET – He has chosen to keep you close.
He has chosen to keep you safe.
He has kept His commitment to you.
What afflictions are we talking about? What distress? The Psalm doesn’t say.
It could be literal physical sickness. It could be enemies surrounding the camp.
It could be death building within his heart. The affliction could be wrapped up in unbelief deep within.
But it doesn’t matter. The reasons don’t exist or matter because God chooses to keep his servant close.
He does not deliver him into the hand of the enemy even though afflictions and distress present themselves.
Not only does God keep him safe, he increases his safety by setting his feet in a secure place.
Making him even more secure.
This truth is yours, too.
Look around. God has protected you from so much.
You could have wandered away from Him, but here you sit.
He has protected your very soul from death!
The enemy is not victorious, but crushed.
God has won, is winning, and will win.
Thank Him for seeing your afflictions. The distress deep within.
And thank Him for keeping you close, raising you up out of it all.
How has God set your feet in a broad place, despite the afflictions of your heart?
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5
Read this aloud for yourself and your family:
Jesus, You are in full control. I am giving up myself as I invite You to take full reign. I am not capable of loving my family on my own. I need Your love to love them fully. I need Your peace to reign in my home. I need Your strength to do all You ask of me. I am laying down myself, as I seek Your will instead of my own.
I give you my family. Guard their hearts, minds, souls, and bodies. Protect them from all evil. Draw them close to Your heart, as You surround them with godly influences. Keep tapping on their hearts, as they bend their will to Yours and Yours alone.
I give you my future. My hopes and dreams. Open the doors you have for me, and shut firm the doors against Your will. Align my desires to Yours and Yours alone. I only want to dwell within Your will for me, Lord. Burn any dreams that are not from You. Give me answers to the areas I desperately seek You for. Let me see Your purpose for me, Lord. Walk with me, hand in hand, as I continue to seek You and You alone.
I give you my time. My talents. My everything. As You reveal your plan to me, allow me to see Your purpose. Allow me to see Your timing. Allow me to see the point of why You have allowed certain things. As I sit with You this day, remind me of Your love. Remind me of Your promises. Remind me of Your identity fashioned just for me.
I love You with all that I am. With all that I have. With all of me. Amen.
Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18
Are you ever shocked at the ugliness which can pour out of you or your loved ones?
It’s as if sin has a literal face. And sometimes that face is your own.
Relationships really shouldn’t be all that complicated.
Jesus wants us to always put the other person first.
If we all did just that, conflict would evaporate.
If we all loved the other like Jesus loves us, we’d rejoice at serving the other.
We’d rejoice at allowing the other to choose.
We’d be happy to accommodate their reasonable wishes.
But when our flesh demands attention, when ourselves get in the way, conflict occurs.
And once it begins, one rarely wants to succeed ground to the other party, especially because they are always totally wrong, yes?
Since conflict will come yet again, what is your plan?
Will you deal as it comes? Take one for the team? Or be ready with the first punch?
Ask God how He would have you react. Before the next conflict.
Ask God to hold your temper. Ask Him to hold your words. Ask Him to hold your heart.
While we cannot control others, we can control ourselves. We can control ourselves as we invite God to have our whole selves.
When we submit to God, giving Him everything, it includes our tempers. Our wanting to rise up to defend ourselves no matter the cost.
Am I implying we should become doormats to ill? Heck no.
I am also not referring to abusive behavior towards you.
We’re talking normal everyday conflict. Most of it can be diffused by one, you, who is allowing Jesus full control of their heart, mind, and body.
Yet, often our responses invite the enemy to have a hay day with our relationships. Often our ill retorts throw fuel to a fire, which needs nothing to burn.
You are responsible for you. Within normal relationship conflict, will you throw fuel to the fire, or will you calmly stand as a wall the fire cannot penetrate?
Even if the other has lost all sense of reason, you can stay fastened to God. To His calm stand in the storm.
So before your next normal conflict arises, plan your response. Because when it comes, it’s terribly hard to choose the high road.
Choose it today. And tomorrow. And the next day. And the next.
Forgiveness seventy times seven seems an impossibility when wronged by a loved one. But it’s how Jesus wants us to respond.
After all, we have wronged Jesus many more times than that. Yet He still patiently waits for your precious, little heart, too.
The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hands. Psalm 37: 23-24
Are your hands open or closed?
Ready or resistant to all God has for you?
Are you holding onto your life with close-fisted hands, unable to see past your today?
Often, when we close our hands to God, we place ourselves back in the driver’s seat.
Back in charge we remove God from the throne, resulting in our closed hands. Our grip closed too tightly on how we see our future. Our todays. And our past.
Why do we close our hands to God?
Fear of change. We tend to love routine, yes?
Fear of making the wrong choice. We all want to follow God’s plan, yes?
But closing our hands to God points ultimately to fear of completely trusting God.
We cannot see God sitting next to us on the couch, but He is.
We cannot see God moving in our life, but He is.
We cannot see God going before us, clearing the way, but He is.
God asks us to live with open hands to Him, allowing Him to move us closer to His loving arms.
When our hands are closed, gripping our own desires, we become closed to new things.
Closed to what God has for us.
Closed to the beautiful future God plans for us.
Look back at the faithfulness of God in your life.
Look at the many details He’s given, providing proof He sees and knows you.
As you fully trust God for your life, open your hands.
Release your grip tightened around your will alone.
And ready your hands as instead God pours His life into you.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Anyone in your life unloveable? Anyone fit that description?
Family? Acquaintances? Coworkers?
Children come to mind.
At times they seem unloveable when demanding things their way.
When irritated, they can spew forth ugliness, wishing you’d disappear.
Fine. I’ll go.
But that’s not biblical. Not God’s way.
He wants you to stay, loving the unloveable.
Can you even imagine a harder assignment?
Not me. Goes against my every fiber.
We usually love others because we get things in return.
Love, acceptance, respect, you get the idea.
But loving the unloveable? Yikes, that’s a whole new arena.
Yet that’s what God calls us to do. Literally. We are called to love others, no matter the response.
Jesus is our example. He loved us without reserve.
Without compromise. Without question.
And He loves us still when we revert back to our sinful selves, choosing our flesh too many times to count.
In other words, when we, ourselves, are unloveable, God still loves us.
If you’re willing, partner with God. His power through us can begin our attempt to love those who distain us.
God’s love. Not yours.
At the end of the day, God will be glorified if you love even when others don’t deserve it.
Even if they roll their eyes, talk back, or wish upon your disappearance.
Ask God to fill you with Himself each day as you wear His identity for you.
Only then, will you fulfill His greatest commission: To love your neighbor as yourself.
May we witness God through our daily human reactions. And may God Himself be manifest through our human attempts at love as we place others before ourselves.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10
When Jesus doesn’t give you what you want…
When your arms remain empty…
When you fall upon your knees in prayer and God’s reply seems to be no…
What then? What is your response?
Take matters into your own hands because you know better than God?
Trust yourself instead because deep down you believe He doesn’t really care or understand you?
We often stoop to unbelief when unable to see over the horizon.
And when we’re full of ourselves, our eyes seem to fail us.
It’s like we can’t see over the horizon to God’s plans because me, myself, and I get in the way.
But God can and does see it all. Your everything. He made your now, your horizon, and beyond.
Is God’s no because God is so very mean?
Could God be protecting you instead?
Maybe He is going to give you something way better – but we refuse to see that (or even look) because our vision demands to be satisfied in the present. Right this very second.
Either you believe God has your back or He doesn’t.
Look behind at all of His faithfulness demonstrated to you over years and years.
He’s been faithful when you’ve danced for joy before Him and when you’ve pouted in the corner.
He will also prove to be faithful in your wants. Your nows.
Thank Him for giving you His very best.
And keep trusting Him when you like what you see and even when you don’t.
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6
How often do you read the Bible?
Do you open His Word every day or only when you happen to have the time?
Have you made devotions a daily habit?
Morning, noon, or evening – whenever you have carved the time each day?
I can remember wishing I wanted to have devotions. This was years and years ago. When the children were small.
I consciously wanted to dive into the Bible, but that desire never materialized as I always pushed it off for later.
About five years before my family fell apart, God mercifully dropped into my head, creating a desperate need to know Him more.
I craved His wisdom. His mercy. His strength.
I began to get up earlier than the others, sitting with God and His word.
Reading through the Bible, I became familiar again with God’s heart and His faithfulness over the ages.
Looking back now almost 16 years later, my time with God has been an anchor during the aching years of my life.
Where would I be without God? Certainly not sitting upright, wearing my crown as God’s daughter.
Come with me this year and read through the Bible.
Journey with me as we navigate His word.
Me, I’m reading straight through. Genesis through Revelation.
Last year I read through choosing some from the Old Testament, a Psalm or Proverb, and a New Testament portion each day.
Other times I’ve read the Bible chronologically.
And another year it was the New Testament only with Psalms and Proverbs.
What’s your decision? Pray about it then jump right in when you know which plan to choose. The year’s still young, so you can easily catch up.
I have many listed on my Media page (link below), but there are hundreds of choices other places. There are even audio versions from the YouVersion Bible app.
The precious Bible is easier than ever to access – you just have to choose to do it. So let’s go!
You won’t regret it. 🙂
Amy’s Bible plans: Click on Media, scrolling down to Bible Plans. Choose from Psalms/Proverbs/NT; Chronological; Genesis through Revelation (Bible straight through); 365 Bible ( OT, Psalm/Proverb, NT).
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Luke 2:10-12
What do you picture Christmas to be? Specifically yours?
You know. The anticipation. What’s the picture in your head?
Children all accounted for and pleasant. Smiling, dressed in their new outfits, perfectly calm and cooperative.
Husband abiding dutifully by your every wish – after all, your ability to orchestrate the perfect Christmas cannot be doubted.
Your parents playing the proper grandparent role, doling out hugs and kisses to one and all.
The family traditional meal perfectly prepped. Your Grandmother would be proud.
Presents all wrapped, waiting for the excited hands to tear open. Everyone will love them as you spent your time thoughtfully shopping along their tastes and needs.
All family members happily sitting together at the lovely Christmas Eve service, complete with candles and carols, accompanied, of course, by the organ.
Finally, your home is clean, laundry caught up, and even the mail has been filed away.
This Christmas scenario seems like a one in a million lottery draw, creeping to align with one of God’s lesser creation miracles.
When what you picture doesn’t materialize, because it just won’t, what is your reaction?
Do you try harder the next year after your disappointment the year before?
Pout and grieve parts of the actual day away?
Or smile and stand tall anyhow?
Jesus wasn’t born among perfection.
So actually, an imperfect Christmas is holy. Right?
We try to create memories for our family. But the picture in our head is ours alone. Not theirs. Not God’s.
Prep and plan. But pause and pray more.
If your family is not all present, Jesus is still born.
If someone comes to dinner in a bad mood, Jesus is still born.
If your church forgoes real candles for fake battery imitators, Jesus is still born.
If all your presents are absolute flops, Jesus is still born.
We celebrate only because of Jesus.
We celebrate our love for others because of Jesus’ love for us.
Remain focused on Jesus, our baby in the manger.
He came to free you from sin. And from any chain that binds you up while you’re still here.
And that includes our unrealistic expectations of the day, others, and yourself.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you. Ezekiel 36:26-27
A Christmas Carol is a popular Christmas classic penned by Charles Dickens well over a hundred years ago.
One cannot comprehend the panic Scrooge felt as he walked with the Ghost of Christmas Future, unless one has made sinful choices such as Scrooge.
Because Scrooge was so selfish, he was blind to anything but himself.
Increasingly becoming aware of his sin only that night.
The consequences of his actions finally spoke louder to Scrooge than his fleshly habits.
Finding him in the graveyard, he sees the man’s name so ridiculed in death pages before: his own.
Falling on his face, he begs the Ghost of Christmas Future for a second chance.
Scrooge is agonized beyond anything he’s felt before.
He recognizes he is literally doomed.
Doomed forever and ever unless given a second chance.
A second chance as a changed man.
Begging the Ghost, he claims to have changed.
Begs and pleads with all his might.
He finally understands his truly bleak future written by his choices lived his entire adult life.
Stop and imagine yourself. What if that was you?
Do you have sections of your life ugly to God?
So ugly you deserve eternal damnation, too?
We all do. All of us deserve death.
But Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection bring us hope as we place our trust in Him.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
Let’s return to the question at hand: what ugly parts of your life do you still need to give to God?
Why haven’t you? What’s stopping you? Are you even bothered by them?
Scrooge wasn’t for most of his life. But when his eyes were opened, he was horrified.
Release your fleshly desires to God. Release your sinful ways, hurtful to so many.
Scrooge never cared about hurting others, but he did when he finally got it.
We don’t have the luxury of seeing future consequences of our sin.
But we do have the gift of God’s redemption. And second chances.
When Scrooge finally pried open his hands, he released his bitterness. His anger. His selfishness.
And in return he was given new eyes. And boy was he happy!
Releasing those burdens caused Scrooge to well up with joy unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Just like us, when we are forgiven by God.
Covered by Jesus, we are made new. Forgiven. Hopeful. Loved.
Bring your whole self to Jesus, this Christmas. Ask Him to show you any part you’ve neglected to give to Him.
Gather up your courage, give Him that ugly part, too, and welcome the healing He promises to bring.
Like Scrooge, you’ll be grateful all the way down to your toes.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Do you find it odd our entire world celebrates Jesus’ birth?
Our secular world who seeks to elevate themselves more often than not?
Sure, you could argue Jesus’ birth has morphed into Santa, presents, and reindeer.
But even Santa is based on Nicholas of Myra, a fourth century bishop who left gifts for poor children.
Maybe the world isn’t totally lost. Yet.
How can you help your friends and family see the baby Jesus instead this Christmas?
Through you. Your witness. Your focus.
Jesus is the reason for the season. Overused phrase, yes, but it’s so true.
When you think for just a moment how deeply God loves you…..
When you ponder why God sent Jesus to earth…..
When you stop and realize how desperately you need our Savior…
You’ll discover the true meaning of Christmas.
Jesus came to earth just for you.
God missed His relationship with you that much.
He missed you and desperately wants that relationship back.
He wants you to trust Him. To love Him. To realize how much you need Him.
Because His plans for you are so good. The very best.
And to communicate that love, God set Jesus’ birth in motion.
That’s how much He loves you. All of you.
Begin to replace the commercialism of Christmas with the celebration of Jesus.
God’s peace on earth will come to your corner.
Your “why” you celebrate will alter everything. Real peace and real joy for once.
Let’s replace all the trinkets nobody needs. The gifts people return. Events we feel compelled to attend.
Replace it all with an increased devotion to Jesus, thanking Him for His gift. Himself.
Rely on Him for your peace as you dwell on the love He has just for you.
Let your celebrations stem from this and all of the gifts, events, and chaos will become worship to God.
While the world has lost the focus of Christmas, let’s keep ours, shifting back our focus to God and His precious gift of Jesus for you and for me.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
There once was a miserable lady, who lived in a cottage near the edge of the forest.
She lived by herself and had grown to an old age.
Her many belongings gave her comfort since her relationships were complicated.
Her loneliness was compounded by her attitude as she continued to blame everyone and everything for her misery.
Everyone except herself.
Looking back, she had lived a good life.
She was accomplished, pretty, and comfortable.
On the outside she was the picture of health.
But she was deathly afraid.
Afraid of what, you may ask?
Letting go. Forgiveness. Not being in control.
Surrendering and accepting life.
And change.
To protect herself, she lashed out and declared herself “Mrs. Always Right.”
Her loved ones and friends never spent much time with her, because her bitterness was easily spread.
Her cottage was nestled on the edge of the great forest.
It was so beautiful – once.
Her memory smiled as she recalled all the beautiful years spent in the forest.
Simply lovely.
But her frown would always return and stay firmly planted on her face when she recalled the devastating fire that had swept through her precious forest.
Everything had burned down.
All the trees, flowers, and life.
The forest was like that for years.
Too long, actually.
And when things look bad for years, it’s easy to forget the beauty.
One day, the forest began to regrow.
New life had sprung all over the place.
Months went by and suddenly the forest was beautiful again.
Stunning, actually.
Radiant.
But she could not see it.
When the lady looked at her beloved forest, all she could see was destruction.
She could not see all the beauty.
Her bitterness had changed her forever.
Her eyesight would not allow her to see the goodness.
She refused to acknowledge her new beautiful surroundings, choosing instead to remember the fire and how her forest once had been.
Are you blind, too? Miserable by choice?
Do you only see what once was, refusing to recognize God’s new blessings in your life?
Allow God to enter, letting His new blessings flood your heart with promise and thankfulness.
There is no need to be miserable by choice.
Choose instead to be thankful as God will never leave your side.
For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28
Where are you gathering your identity?
Are you shopping at Walmart when you should be selecting items at the most expensive store?
You might reply you cannot possibly afford the most expensive store.
Remember, I’m not talking about material goods.
I’m talking about your worth. Your identity. Your very core.
When you surrender your life to God, He steps in, scooping out the ugly, replacing it with beauty.
Jesus’ death on the cross provides the transaction removing sin. The sin we were born with. The sin we chose. Our heredity. God’s power removes all of it, replacing it with redemption.
When redeemed, we have God’s power. His life. His disposition.
Acts reminds us we live and move and literally are within God.
Your identity is God’s.
Your worth is God’s.
When we live from within God’s power, we have everything.
When our being is literally from God, our worth is immeasurable.
It’s time to stop shopping for your worth at the thrift store.
Time to stop settling for your used former self.
Instead, select God’s exquisite self. His perfection wanting to shine through you.
Start living as if God is speaking through you.
Start living as if God is working through you.
Start living as if God is moving through you.
Because when you live and move and have your being in God, He’s already here.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:14-15
Are you harboring bitterness? It’s easy to.
When wronged unjustly, we feel the need to hold onto it, somehow justifying ourselves.
When kept close, it grows roots deep down, affecting thoughts, even remembering things incorrectly.
When the root keeps growing, we close our ears against anything that touches the root.
We love feeling bitter, not wanting to give room to love.
Is there any area in your life that is filled with bitterness, crowding out love?
When wronged, we have two choices: forgive and let go, or not forgive, holding onto bitterness.
It’s not easy to choose forgiveness, especially when the other person doesn’t deserve it.
We were wronged!
Bitterness seems familiar when we are used to holding grudges. It’s almost comforting to keep it close, justifying your continued actions as a result.
The prison of bitterness keeps only one person captive: you.
Relationships suffer and die when you choose that prison.
I completely understand wanting to stay for awhile. It feels safe. But it’s only a trap.
Ask God to help heal your heart.
To forgive with his strength, not yours.
To release the bitterness grown so familiar.
Ephesians 4:31–32 says “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
When you think about the mercy God has shown you, it’s easier to forgive others.
God asks us to forgive those who sin against us in Matthew 6.
Ephesians 4 asks us to be kind and forgiving.
Goes against our flesh for sure.
But God is here to help you. He asks us to forgive and He’ll help you do just that.
Ask Him and you’ll soon walk freely into the freedom of God’s forgiveness.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Psalm 40:3
God calls us into new beginnings, sometimes several times in our life.
It could be a HUGE new beginning.
Marriage, baby, divorce, death, moving, or a new job.
Or, it could be a small new beginning such as resolving to eat healthy, initiating a new devotional time, determining a new year’s resolution, or updating your children’s chore chart.
New beginnings can be scary, especially if they hit you by surprise.
An unexpected job loss.
A sudden death or divorce.
A child moving out.
It’s all scary and frightening.
But God is in the details.
What?
He cares about my daily struggles, my new beginnings, big or small?
Yes, He absolutely does.
Not only that, but He wants to hear your heart and help you.
He wants your trust – your unwavering trust in the Provider of Life.
But the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11
Ever think of how God smiles down at you?
How He looks down at you, his beautiful creation, breaking out in a huge grin?
I did today.
I thought about how God had recently blessed me and I felt His smile.
Like He was saying, “This is all for you, because I’m so proud of you.”
We don’t obey God to get things.
We obey God out of our deep love for Him. Our allegiance. Our choice to surrender our will to His.
But God does choose to bless His children.
The Old Testament has many verses like Deuteronomy 5:33: Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.
While I’m fully aware God is pleased when we are obedient and we can rest in His peace when we daily focus on Him, there are times when I think about God smiling down on us.
Maybe something big finally came together.
Maybe a bonus check arrived you weren’t expecting.
Maybe a long-lost friend reached out and made your day.
Maybe you were suddenly filled with a deep gratitude for all God has given you.
Or maybe you were surprised with something and you know God sees your faithfulness, recognizing it for more to witness.
I frankly think God smiles down on us more than we realize.
He loves you and longs for a deep relationship with you.
He’s not one to grab your time, exposing your flaws when you chat.
He wants to free you for you. For your freedom walking this earth.
God’s already free. He’s God.
But He longs for you to be free to see His smiles.
Surrender afresh today. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior over everything.
Then pay attention. God’s smile will warm your heart when you finally take notice.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
I’m convinced most of our emotional issues stem from fear.
Fear of the future.
Fear of being alone.
Fear of rejection.
We all long for meaningful relationships.
Yet we cannot control others, and what they choose to do.
When rejected, and it will happen to all of us, fear enters.
We worry the next person will do the very same thing.
Or we try too hard to keep the wrong person.
Emotionally, when we interact with fear, our body responds physically.
Tired, achy, moody moments are just the beginning.
When we dwell with fear, our body begins to break down in other ways.
Science shows us dwelling in fear brings anxiety and stress to our hearts, brains, digestive and immune system. All detrimental to our health, especially when holding onto fear longterm.
So what’s the anecdote to all this?
God.
God created us for a relationship with Him.
Remember before Adam and Eve sinned, God talked with them every single day?
Fast foward to Jesus, who was sent to redeem us.
To cancel our sin so we can go back to that relationship with God.
God longs for you so much, that He sent His son, Jesus, to die for you.
So you can talk with God here and now, as well as all of eternity.
The root of all fear, anxiety, and stress, is reliance on anything but God.
Train your brain to respond with God’s truth – His Word when fear dares to enter your mind.
Repeating 1 Timothy 1:7 aloud is a great example: For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Respond with worship when your brain begins to dwell on the negative or impossible situations.
Ask God to fill you with Himself when you feel yourself heading down the wrong path again.
God is here. God is ready. God is willing to take all of it for you.
But the choice is yours.
Yank the crud by the root and refocus on God.
Again and again, speak God’s truth when weeds pop up.
Because they will. That’s what weeds do if you don’t keep regularly gardening.
After going to scripture again and again, you’ll begin to notice your reaction doesn’t immediately fall to fear anymore.
Pretty soon you won’t notice as many weeds. They won’t come back so often because the soil – your brain- can’t help them grow.
Colossians reminds us to keep our life rooted in Jesus and built up in him. Strengthen our faith. Overflow with thankfulness.
Relying on God reminds fear Who is in control. God. And His soil will fill your brain with truth.
But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25
Today I bring to you very exciting news. Ready?
My book has officially sold over 100,000 copies!
I know! Incredible!!
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association is an international network of Christian publishers.
Their award came to me this past week.
It’s a real glass book, engraved with my name and my book’s name. It’s so heavy!
This “bronze” medal also places my book on other lists buyers pick from, gaining even more exposure. It’s been available online everywhere, but we’ll see it more in physical stores. I think it would look perfect at Hobby Lobby or Sam’s Club! Already seen it in Walmart down south.
How did this happen to someone who is unknown?
God. He’s the orchestrator of it all.
Could I have reached this on my own? Nope.
But I obeyed. That was my part. Willing to follow what I knew God wanted me to do.
And He blessed me.
Keep seeking God.
Ask Him what He wants from you. What He wants you to do.
Then when He tells you, obey. You never know where God will lead you.
I certainly had no idea when I began my blog over a dozen years ago.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:14-15
What are God’s purposes for you on this earth? To glorify Him, and you cannot do that while complaining.
You’ll also live caught in the web of self-condemnation, probably in a bad mood most of the time when your speech is perverse.
Subsequently, your witness for God is tarnished.
Sends others off screaming in the other direction.
So how do we glorify God when we feel like complaining?
We praise him anyway.
We choose to push aside the complaining thoughts, praising God instead. Even if.
When we choose to continue trusting God as life tempts us to sour – that’s when our witness shines. That’s when God’s transformation of our very selves shines brighter.
It’s how the world sees the difference God makes in our lives.
So if we choose to complain every time things go south, we’re absolutely no different from the world.
They complain, too.
But if instead you choose praising God in the midst, choosing to trust him instead of your circumstances, you’ll show the world how good God is.
How trustworthy He remains. How much better off you are with Him by your side. How much you need Him as life often deals badly.
Your purpose on this earth is to glorify God, reflecting Him to others.
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22
This is one of the greatest difficulties we face as Christians.
Forgiveness. Releasing the offender from you.
Freeing them from their offense.
Even when they don’t ask.
Especially when they don’t ask.
How many times?
Seventy times seven.
Four hundred ninety times. Unlimited.
What if the person has offended you that many times?
Then for you, it’s four hundred ninety. And counting.
Doesn’t mean you allow abuse to continue. Or offense to keep knocking you down again and again.
But normal daily interactions often yield conflict.
And aside from Jesus asking us to do this, we do have a choice.
We can forgive or not.
If we forgive, we release ourselves from bitterness. From the prison of unjustly behavior revenge.
Is it funner to stay in the prison, stuck and alone? I’ll be the first to admit yes.
It’s where we nurse our wounds unprovoked by others. It’s where we feel justified in making others pay for their deeds. Hard time is what we want.
But the prison of bitterness is also where we stay stuck. Miserable. And you know who is too pleased when we do? The enemy. The father of lies, who tells us our prison is better accommodations than freedom’s path.
The good news is this: God. Not only does God know forgiveness is superior for our relationships, and our physical or emotional health, He helps us through the process.
We don’t have to feel like forgiving. We simply need to choose and obey God.
Ask God to help you forgive the offender. Release them back into the arms of Jesus. Ask God to fill your sense of injustice with peace, replacing the bitterness with joy.
God has promised to right every wrong. He’s the ultimate judge and your defender.
Practice this today as God unlocks your prison of bitterness.
It’s incredibly difficult. But you must trust God more than you trust your bitterness.
We don’t want the enemy happy with our location, do we?
Change your address today. God’s waiting to walk you to freedom.
Oh, and if your well worn path takes your feet right back to the prison out of habit?
Stop and turn. God will help you every single time.
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
Let’s ponder war strategy for a moment. How do opposing sides attack each other?
Quietly. A sneak attack, surprising the enemy.
Plans are top secret. Spies infiltrate.
When the other side doesn’t expect you, it’s way easier to win.
D-Day even had rumors of other attacks, alternate landings, confusing the enemy.
Even though thousands of precious soldiers died that day, they won because the enemy was surprised.
If the Nazis had known, D-Day would have been a disaster. And our world today would likely look way different.
Shifting our attention to the enemy of our souls, it’s no different.
Do you honestly think the enemy will announce himself with large banners, shouting his presence to attack?
When someone is robbed at gun point, does the robber allow the victim to get ready to respond?
When an arsonist seeks to set fire to a property, do they call the owner, informing them of impending doom?
It’s absurd. Attacks are meant for harm. Understandable and necessary in war, but cruel in life.
We are living in a spiritual battle. And we must be ready. At all times, because the enemy will not announce himself.
He will come in quietly, swinging at your most vulnerable parts for fatal blows.
Be assured he watches you. Has known you for your whole life.
He knows your weaknesses. Where to strike you so it hurts real bad.
Are you prone to people pleasing? You’ll bend over backwards so others like you.
Rejection? His lies will confirm untruths still lying dormant in your brain.
Perfection? Same thing. You’ll feel less than every time.
Stand up. Take back your ground, given to you by God’s authority dwelling in you.
Romans 8:11 reminds us “if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you”.
God’s life in you. His power. His authority.
God is the victor. He has already won the war. And the enemy knows it.
He’s here to kill, steal, and destroy relationships, reputations, and lives. Yours, mine, and our family’s.
Don’t let him. Be ready. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong”.
God will stand with you, silencing the enemy’s accusations.
Dress for battle as Ephesians 6 describes.
Lift yourself and your family to God each day, asking for his protection, filling you with himself in your mind, body, soul, and spirit.
Don’t sit down in your soul anymore.
Stand and fight with God, whose power will slay the enemy to his knees.
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13
Are you living from God’s forgiveness for you?
If you’ve surrendered your heart to Jesus, He’s forgiven you all your sins.
Often we don’t realize just how sinful we are.
And when we do, God’s forgiveness means that much more.
Feels so great, doesn’t it? To feel forgiven?
I can remember lying to my grandfather when I was about six years old.
I had gotten the Little Professor calculator for Christmas.
Basically, it was a small light up math game and I couldn’t wait to sneak it into my bed.
What six year old wouldn’t want to see it lit up in the dark?
After I went to bed, my grandfather, who had been injured in WW2, slowly climbed the stairs, which were very hard for him.
Coming into my room, he asked me if he could see my new Little Professor calculator.
Not wanting him to have it, I actually climbed out of bed and pretended to look for it with him in my room.
Giving up, he said it was just fine. He’d look at it in the morning.
Back in bed, the calculator no longer held any interest. None.
My tummy felt awful lying to my grandfather.
How long did I hold in this lie?
An entire year. I literally thought about it almost every day.
It ate at me. How could I have lied to him?
One day I could no longer take it.
Climbing onto my father’s lap, I confessed.
I waited for my huge punishment.
As an adult looking back at this scene, I’m guessing my parents were trying to stifle a giggle.
They forgave me instantly.
I climbed down and felt like I could fly.
Ran to my brother’s room and played cars with him, even though that was my least favorite activity.
But I didn’t care. I was free. I was so happy. My smile was frozen to my face.
My six-year-old self began to live from forgiveness. It was pure freedom.
Ask for forgiveness if you’ve wronged someone. You’ll feel so much better, owning your behavior.
And if your offender fails to ask you for forgiveness? Forgive them anyway.
You’ll fling off the burden of offense and smile in spite of the situation.
Don’t let others block you from living from forgiveness.
Seventy-times seven.
Ask for forgiveness. Forgive others.
Choose today to live from the freedom of forgiveness.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Spent the past week at the beach.
Can I just live there, please?
Watching the waves is so peaceful.
The sound as waves crash onto the sand.
The smell of salty, fresh air.
The feel of fine sand cushioning your feet.
The notice of life brimming all around.
Mussels coming up after a wave recedes, burrowing down again.
Seashells littering the sand begging to be scooped up.
Seagulls daring to come close, curious for scraps.
Standing on the beach, the waves are mesmerizing.
Almost like clockwork, they keep rolling in.
Over and over. They never end.
It’s just like God’s love, which is never ending.
He continually gives you more and more.
It’s just like God’s peace, which is never ending.
He continually gives you more and more.
It’s just like God’s faithfulness, which is never ending.
He continually gives you more and more.
PIcture God’s gifts to you as unending as the ocean waves.
As abundant as the ocean waves.
As predictable as the ocean waves.
God’s mercies are new every morning. They’ll be here tomorrow, and the next day, and every day for the rest of your life.
You simply need to receive them like waves rolling over your toes.
The ocean waves aren’t going away.
God isn’t going away.
But you must choose to see. To want. To accept what God has for you.
God’s abundant mercies are waiting for you.
They are constantly rolling towards you on the sand. Will you choose to get wet?
Pictures by me, Amy Mecham, at South Padre Island, Tx
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
A couple of nights ago, the following tragedy unfolded near San Antonio, Tx.
It’s my friend’s story. Her daughter-in-law’s, actually.
What if it was yours?
She was going to bed for the last time.
Waking in the night, they needed to escape.
Rising waters. Nighttime rescue.
Floating debris. Pitch black darkness.
Her husband holds onto a tree, trying to reach her.
He cannot and off she goes.
He hears her calling his name, but she is beyond reach.
She was swept off to heaven that night.
Not what she thought would transpire after saying goodnight.
A precious life lost. Her family left to grieve.
What about you? Would you have been ready to meet your Maker?
There’s often no time to ready your heart in the midst of a tragedy.
Unfortunately, tragedies do occur, often producing death.
And it can happen in an instant. The blink of an eye.
So, what if it was you? Are you ready?
We never know when God will call us home.
Ready your heart today. Now. Right this minute.
John 14:27 reminds us God give us His peace. His perfect peace.
God doesn’t want our hearts to be troubled, and death is nothing to fear.
Why? Because of Jesus. His great love for you. His precious plan for you.
But here’s the thing: Death is nothing to fear only if you place your hope in Jesus.
In the sacrifice of His life in exchange for yours.
Your sins are forgiven.
Your future is secure.
Only if you are His. Are you?
Nobody plans to say goodnight for the final time.
Make sure your heart is God’s when you say goodnight this evening.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
How dare we question God.
Yet we do.
Why? Because we want our own way.
We think we know better than Him.
Do you see how selfish that is?
How arrogant?
Did we create the earth and all it contains?
Did we place the stars in the heavens?
Did we design life with such variety and beauty?
Absolutely not.
We are God’s creation.
God is not our creation.
I get it though. Often our lives seem to turn unexpectedly, down a path we wished to avoid.
We question God. We question because we hate it. The direction we travel.
God allows things.
He created us with the ability to choose, and sometimes people make bad choices.
Or, sometimes it’s our own fault.
Yet God allows it.
We can be assured from Ecclesiastes 9:1 that “… how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.”
All we do are in God’s hands.
We need God. He helps us filter out bad choices when we cannot see what’s right.
Further, we can rest assured God works all things for His purpose.
Romans 8:28 reminds us,” And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
God sees everything.
He sees the good, the bad, and the ugly.
While He might allow circumstances you detest, He will stay by your side.
And He has a plan. Do you trust Him?
You are worth more to God than anything else He created.
He sent His only son to die on the cross for you so you can spend eternity with Him.
Yes, God is holy.
Yes, He created all things.
And no, we are not in charge.
But you can rest assured God is.
God, who created order and beauty, is on the throne.
And when trials come, He will be with you every step of the way.
His ways are higher than ours.
We must not question God, but live peacefully, knowing He cares for all of His creation.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:11
I fight discouragement.
Do you?
Same lies in my head.
Unanswered prayers.
Unchanged people.
Who are we to question Almighty God?
We are but a breath in all of God’s created beings.
God’s ways are higher than ours.
Then mine. Then yours.
He is above it all.
Even unanswered prayers.
Even unchanged people.
Even the lies still swirling in your head.
Our job is to submit ourselves to Him, asking Him to make us new.
Then pray for what God lays on our hearts.
After we pray, we are to give it all to God.
The unanswered prayers.
The unchanged people.
The lies in your head.
Now we sit and trust.
Yes, we can pray, of course, we should.
But as you pray, resist the urge to scoop the burden back up.
God’s got it.
He’s got it and all the rest. Why?
Because He knows all things and loves your loved ones even more than you, you must trust Him.
Amy Linnea 
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