Category: Perserverence

How Badly?

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Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. Ephesians 5:1

How badly do you want it? To imitate God?

How much do you want to change in order to do just that?

We cannot do anything in our own strength.

It will certainly fail, why?

Because we are flawed. Human. Not God.

Oh sure, sometimes we can do things amazingly well in our own strength.

But that tends to lead us into pride.

And pride eventually leads us to humility in a usually embarrassing way.

The humble spirit is different.

A humble person is not weak.

They have quiet strength.

They have great wisdom, yet they do not push it on anyone.

They have peace, because they realize it’s not all about them.

Who can you relate to?

A prideful person who does everything themselves?

Or a humble person who realizes God must work through them to accomplish great things?

A prideful person thinks it’s all about them.

A humble person knows it’s all about God.

Prideful people demand.

Humble people serve.

When you look in the Bible, the Pharisees were extremely proud.

They knew everything and no one could tell them any different.

Know anyone like that?

Jesus is our example of a humble man who served.

He knew everything, but served the lowest of the low.

His gentle strength showed God’s power and love.

Standing before Pilot, Jesus could have explained it all.

He could’ve shown His accusers a thing or two.

How badly do you want to be like Jesus?

Are you willing to give up yourself?

Are you willing to put aside your own plans to follow His plan for you?

Ask God to fill you up with His strength, wisdom, and love.

Rely on Him to keep filling you every day.

In return, God will use you to bless others.

And you’ll be blessed right back in the process as you imitate Him.

Photos by Greg Shield, Aaron Burden, Patrick Tomasso, & Taylor Cole on Unsplash

 

So Sneaky

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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.

Photos by stefan kroeger, Catherine Merlin, Jonathan Kemper, & Nik Shuliahin  on Unsplash

Impossible Assignment

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Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You don’t understand, Lord.

They hurt me.

Like really bad.

They cut me down, bringing me to my knees.

As a result, I cried.

Ugly crying.

They don’t deserve my forgiveness.

I need to seek revenge somehow.

Something to get them back.

No?

You want me to forgive them?

Why?

Because You have forgiven me?

Yes, I know, but why do I have to forgive them?

I can’t.

You still want me to?

How? With Your strength?

But they hurt me. Deeply. To the core of my being, they hurt me.

You still want me to forgive them?

And give You my pain?

How will that help?

Will you right my wrongs for me?

You will eventually?

You want me to trust You?

With everything?

Even this?

Ok.

Thank you, God, for saving me, forgiving all of my sins.

Please help me to forgive others as they hurt me.

It’s an impossible assignment on my very own.

Help me to release this burdens and those in the future to You.

Help me to forgive as You have forgiven me.

Photos by Elijah Pilchard, Brooke Balentine, Grigorii Shcheglov, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Rock & Refuge

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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 31:7-8

Isn’t God good? He sees our affliction. He knows our distress, yet He keeps us safe and sound.

Not only does He keep us safe, He sets us in a strong place.

Psalm 31 begins by David declaring refuge in God.

Putting his trust in God, and asking God to rescue him.

David declares “You are my rock and my fortress”, meaning God is his anchor and protection.

He reminds God “You take me out of the net…for You are my refuge”.

God has continually rescued David, like God has continually rescued you.

God has seen all of it. All of your life, God has seen.

Every moment of every day.

He has seen your deep distress wrapping your mind.

He has seen this, that, and every little bit.

But even while afflicted, David was not handed over to the enemy. God did not allow it.

And while you’ve been afflicted, God has not allowed you to be given over to the devil.

What do I mean?

While in deep dispair, are you still alive?

While struggling with the persecution of others, is your soul still rejoicing in the Lord?

While surrounded with impossible situations, are you still placing your hope and trust in God Almighty?

God has protected your soul from leaving the safety of His refuge.

God has kept you with Him, not allowing the devil to take all of you.

It might seem like the devil has had his way, but it could always be worse.

God could abandon you, and He has not.

He will not.

Instead of allowing the devil to take you away, God has set your feet in a broad place.

Meaning, you are safe.

Yes, keep asking God to rescue you.

Yes, keep begging God to redeem your situation.

But in the midst, thank God for His rock of refuge.

Thank God for seeing your affliction and the distress of your soul.

Thank Him for standing with you in his strong fortress.

Paul reminds us we are more than conquerers in Romans 8:37.

Are you?

You are if you keep yourself hidden in God as He works everything out.

We are more than conquerers through Him in all things, not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. (Oswald Chambers).

Photos by Ben Karpinski, Sead Dedić, Tim Oun, & Simon Berger on Unsplash

Flip It!

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Those who trust in and wait on him will not be put to shame. Psalm 22:5

What crushing disappointment has sent you into despair?

Or maybe it’s just a simple one, causing you to question your entire life?

Or maybe the direction you thought God wanted for you is a clear NO?

Ok, maybe I’m being a bit dramatic. Let’s take it down a notch.

When you are faced with a NO from God, what is your reaction?

Despair? Anxiety? Begging for Him to open the right doors when He’s clearly shut one?

Questioning yourself, your actions, and God’s actions as well?

Scheming how to change the situation so it will fit into God’s plan for your life?

We all do it, right?

But when disappointment stares us in the face, what if we flipped it over?

What if we flipped disappointment over, revealing God’s hope and peace?

As someone who trusts God for your every breath, you want to remain within God’s plan for you, yes?

You want to remain obedient to what God has for you.

And your NO from God is just that. An answer from God.

Your NO is God keeping you right where He wants you.

Underneath His protection, grace, and plans for the amazing future He has for you.

As you patiently seek God, waiting for His YES, smile.

Smile at your disappointment, because God has even better plans for you.

Yes, you might be disappointed for the moment, but you can smile, knowing God is looking out for you.

He’s planning something even better.

The wait will be totally worth it.

Photos by Jonathan Marchal, Wes Hicks, Christopher Machicoane-Hurtaud, & Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Recognizing God

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And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. Mark 5:6

That man? He was severely under the enemy’s thumb.

Filled with many demons, this man was completely controlled by them.

As soon as Jesus stepped out of the boat, this man ran to Jesus.

Actually the demons ran to Jesus as this man was not in control.

The demons immediately recognized Jesus and what was their response?

To cower and run?

No. They immediately went to Jesus.

They begged for mercy.

So Jesus sent them into the pigs, which caused the pigs to drown themselves in the sea.

The man was left completely calm in the absence of enemy control.

I wonder why the demons response was to run to Jesus instead of run from Him?

Clearly the demons had gained control of this man for quite awhile as verses 1-5 describe.

Yet when the Son of God was in view, the demons ran to Him.

They instantly recognized the power of God over them.

So they begged for mercy.

What about us?

Do we recognize the power of God over us?

God’s absolute authority? His soverignty?

If God saw what you did yesterday, would you fall on your knees for mercy?

Or would you justify your actions?

Honestly never thought we’d learn a thing from a demon, yet here we are.

God is the author of life.

He’s the beginning and ending of time.

He created all things.

He has all authority on heaven and earth, yet we seem to forget.

We live like we’re the boss. Like we are in control. Like we can do better.

We even live like we think we are listening to God when we clearly sometimes we do not.

We must do the hard things.

We must forgive. We must love. We must live under the authority of Almighty God.

Ask God to help you as we all have much to learn when recognizing God.

Photos by Annie Spratt, Adrian Infernus, Humble Lamb, & Ben White on Unsplash

Hairy Vacuums

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Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

Does your vacuum become stuck when hair completely wraps around the spinner thing or is it just me?

Smelly rubber wrapped in junk doesn’t move well.

We must stop and dejunk it. Eww.

Grab a coin to open up the bottom.

Lay the vacuum down.

Taking scissors, carefully slice through the thick hair all the way down.

Pull it off in hunks, repeating the action again and again and again, while tossing it into the trash.

Continue until it’s all gone.

Needed to continue the vacuum’s optimal function. Admittedly a bit satisfying, yet completely gross.

How often do you dejunk your heart? Your mind? Your body? Your soul?

It must be a regular thing.

Like literally regular.

Sin can attach to us, causing us to muck up ourselves.

Attitudes creep up.

Fleshly desires become bigger.

And before you know it, back we are as full of junk as our dear vacuums.

Step back today and assess yourself.

What’s your focus? Your level of anxiety? Your resting face?

Choose to refocus on Jesus.

Allow Him to dejunk your heart once again.

Then choose again to focus on Jesus the next moment. And the next. And the next.

Cleaning hairy vacuums isn’t only completed once. It’s done again. And again. And again….

Just like cleaning out your heart. Choose to refocus on Jesus.

The only difference? It gets easier and easier to choose Jesus.

But cleaning out hairy vacuums? It’s disgusting every single time.

Photos by No Revisions, Corina Rainer, Ryan ‘O’ Niel, & Brian Lundquist on Unsplash

Setting Your Mind

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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Do you live according to the flesh? If so, that’s what you focus on.

Do you live according to God’s spirit? If so, that’s the lens you view life.

Literal night and day difference.

A few verses earlier, Paul reminds us Jesus paid the penalty for our sin, which is our flesh. We are free from that law of sin because Jesus condemned that sin to death.

We are free if we have invited the Spirit of God to dwell within us.

Through this, we have freedom from our flesh.

But how do you actually live?

Do you live within your flesh?

The Bible says that brings death. Living in the flesh.

Or do you seek the mind of Christ, which brings life and peace?

Not sure we as Christians ever purposely choose to live within the flesh.

But we do. All the time.

Reaching for more food when your stomach is satisfied.

Watching more television then need be.

Scrolling through your phone, neglecting other options.

Pouring out your bad mood onto unsuspecting family members.

Wanting your way and pouting if you fail to get it.

Choosing first the best of the meal before anyone else gets a chance.

Listening to thoughts that are not of God.

Succumbing to fear believed through lies planted in your mind.

Romans 8 reminds us of our choices: we set our mind on the flesh or the Spirit.

Death and fear or life and peace.

Setting your mind means to purpose.

To go a certain way.

Not sure it means little bumps, as long as you redirect your course back to God.

Finally, verse 9 gives us hope as Paul shares we dwell with the Spirit of God when we belong to him.

The Spirit of God is life. Full of life.

So every time your flesh cries out for itself, remember your are not going to live from within your flesh.

Your goal is no longer to please your flesh.

Instead, set your mind on the Spirit, dwelling within His peace and life.

Photos by Kyle Glenn, Jessica Anderson, & Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

Allowing Afflictions

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It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71

Are you happy when God allows affliction?

Do you see it is good?

We know God is in control and always has your very best interest in His mind.

When He allows affliction, we learn so much more.

Right?

We learn absolute trust in God when our life falls apart.

We learn to seek His wisdom when nothing makes earthly sense anymore.

And we remember Whose we are when rejected by those we love.

Yes, you can argue, we can know these things during the mountain tops of life.

And I would agree with you.

But in the valley, we need God.

We need God unlike anything else.

We depend upon God in the valley when we cannot see the next step.

We listen for His voice in the valley as confusion seeks to keep us down.

And we cling to His arm, guiding us safely through the storm.

God in His goodness allows afflictions so we may know Him deeper.

Keep trusting Him in the storm as you are merely between miracles.

The sun will soon come out and you’ll walk out holding a deeper relationship with God.

Totally worth it even when it hurts.

Photos by Anthony Tran, Олександр К, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Gardens

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I’m so excited. We have a garden!

Ever plant one?

I’ve always loved planting flowers, but I’m talking food.

Growing your own food. Like actually growing literal food.

We grew some tomatoes and jalapeño peppers last year.

While that was fun, this year’s garden is even funner. 😉

We have acorn squash trying to spread their vines over everything else.

Carrot seeds looking lovely, their soft green tops reaching high above the soil.

Watermelon, pumpkins, cucumbers, herbs, and a whole box of flower seeds!

Tomato plants sprouting up from throwing old tomatoes into the garden soil last fall.

We won’t discuss our sad strawberry plants, yielding a total of 3 strawberries so far.

You get the point. We have 96 square feet of growing goodness. I can’t wait.

How’s your garden? Need to yank some weeds? Redirect your plans back to God?

We all have seeds cast our direction, that with the right ingredients, can take root.

Believing a lie, confirming it with situations, watering it with self-pity. That root would be hard to yank.

Yet, immediately refusing a lie planted in your head, would remove it instantly.

Fertilizing your garden with God’s truth and wisdom would then create a garden where sin’s seeds fail to take root. Or would at least take more effort.

Is your garden full of God’s truth? Are you able to yank these weeds easily?

Gardens like that regularly see fruit. Sometimes there’s a drought, but it’s not because the soil is ugly.

Or is your garden soil so full of weeds, truth can hardly begin to grow?

Squash and cucumber vines love to grasp anything they can, clinging to the next plant in their path.

We must be diligent to shape the vines, freeing the plants they wish to cling.

Like those vines, we must be careful to keep our garden free from not only weeds, but things in our life that want to choke out everything else. Even the good things.

Time to put on your gardening gloves, tie that sun hat around your neck, and dig into the dirt.

Gardens only flourish with purpose. And your garden, hidden within your heart, will only flourish with God.

Photos by Kelly Neil, Kenan Kitchen, Bonnie Kittle, Markus Spiske, & Zoe Schaeffer on Unsplash

A Test? Surprise!

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Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Do you find yourself surprised when our faith seems to be tested?

Really, are you ever surprised?

I am and I’m guessing you are, too.

But stop and think about something: Jesus allows trials to refine us.

To make us stronger. Finer. More solid.

Doesn’t that sound like a positive outcome?

Let’s flip it to the other side. The dark side.

Does the devil want to cancel you?

100%. If he can cancel you, you’re done. Finished. Don’t matter no more.

If the devil can succeed at tempting you to give up, he wins.

If you pass the test of faith from God, you win. And so does God.

Either way, it really doesn’t matter why you are entering a trial of whatever it is.

Matters how you come out on the other side.

Take God’s wisdom, love, grace, and mercy with you on the way.

Your maturing will enable you to face the next test with some of the answers.

After all, you’ll have one more detail of your life under your belt. A detail God orchestrated in your life.

Expect trials and tests. You’ve got the answers, so sit down and pass. With God’s help you will faithfully pass each time.

Photos by Ben White, Siora Photography, & David Pennington on Unsplash

Not Responsible

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When others choose, we are not responsible.

Make sense?

Is that an eye-opening statement or is it common sense to you?

We cannot control other people.

Everyone makes their own choices.

That includes your children.

When they are small, or still under your roof, you guide them to the right choices, giving them consequences when they poorly choose.

Why?

Because you are their mentor. Their guide. Their parent. Their authority.

When children grow out from your nest, their choices are their own.

Does not reflect you. At all.

When we acknowledge we are not responsible, we must recognize we cannot change others either.

We cannot beg our children to do what we want. Nor should we.

Decisions must be made on their own. Within their own conscience.

What can we do when our children make choices we deem unacceptable?

Love them anyways.

Be there. Fully. Not accepting sin, but accepting them. Always.

And we wait. We wait for them to come back.

While we wait, we pray. We get on our knees for their very souls who used to praise His name.

We know we aren’t responsible, but we feel we are. Don’t scoop up that burden.

Simply return them to God. He loves them more than you. His heart breaks when they think only of themselves.

You are not responsible for anyone else but yourself. Keep yourself in check. And give the rest to Him.

Photos by Max Goncharov, Kelly Sikkema, & Japheth Mast on Unsplash

Weeping

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When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. John 11:33

Jesus was fully human and knew sorrow.

He wept with us.

He was filled with compassion.

Sorrow moved Him deeply.

Just like you and me.

Our weeping friends or loved ones move us deeply.

Sometimes we are the ones weeping and others are moved to compassion for us.

Weeping signals sorrow.

That something is deeply broken.

Wrong.

Needs to be fixed.

That’s when God moves in, if you’ll let Him.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.“

Weeping can bring fear, as one usually cries when feeling alone.

Suddenly by themselves.

But God reminds us that He is with us.

We are NOT to be dismayed, because God is our God.

He promises not only to be with us, but to strengthen us.

He wants to help us, holding us up with His righteous right hand.

Weep.

But bring it to the feet of God.

Tell Him all of your sorrows.

He will listen, as a compassionate faithful friend.

And then He will take your sorrow, turning it into His peace.

Sometimes it takes time, especially if the wound is fresh.

But if you faithfully keep giving all of it to God, He will continually strengthen you, holding you upright with His righteous right hand.

Photos by Ksenia Makagonova,  Jordan Whitt,  Annie Spratt, & Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Devil’s Schemes

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“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

News flash.

Devil doesn’t care about you if you’re lukewarm.

He doesn’t spend his time on you if you’re not walking with God.

He figures he has you.

Right where he wants you.

But if you have life that happens….

If you have big things occur, you must matter.

Pay attention, because the devil sure is.

He knows God has a special plan for your life.

Wants at all costs to stop it.

To make you feel like God doesn’t care when your family falls apart.

To feel like God has turned His back when things don’t go your way.

The devil’s goal is to get you to stop trusting God.

To stop trusting God has your best in mind.

That God still even cares about you.

Remember that.

He wants to keep you busy, unaware of the evil influencing your children.

He wants to keep you blind to the repairs needed in your marriage.

He wants to keep you apathetic to the holes in the relationships that matter.

He wants you to think there’s nothing you could do to help anything.

That God can’t or won’t help or maybe isn’t even there.

He wants to keep you absolutely pathetic.

Because then you’re weak.

Useless.

Lukewarm.

The next time you are tempted to sink back into old habits, remember that’s where the devil wants you.

Instead, tell him no way.

Don’t give him the pleasure.

Give the satisfaction instead to God, who has promised to never leave you.

Photos by Markus Winkler, Bermix Studio , and Ben White on Unsplash

Known

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Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. 1 Kings 8:56

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How is God known?

Through the things that don’t make sense in our lives.

Through the trust we show when the next step we cannot see.

Through His grace demonstrated in us each and every day.

Through His love poured out from our fingertips to others.

Through His peace we feel while tossed to and fro.

Through His forgiveness we give to those who’ve deeply hurt us.

Through the giving we provide to those who lack.

Through the servant we become when thinking more of others.

Through the prayers we pray and the answers that surprise us.

Through the deliverance of trauma, healing the holes left behind.

Through the wisdom we have when asking God for help.

Through coming out on the other side of life’s trauma.

And living, not dying from it.

God is known through our Bible reading, our praying, our worship, and our very lives.

Each and every day, God is known through the big and small things.

How well do you know Him?

Well, I hope.

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Photos by Marlon Langoni, H A M A N N, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

 

Hope

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I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder. Psalm 81:6-7

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What is hope, really?

Knowing the situation will improve.

Seeing signs of improvement.

Signs of hope.

The dictionary defines hope as believing, desiring, or trusting.

Do you have hope?

Doesn’t matter what situation you are thinking of.

Can be big or small.

Hope your child will return their reverence to God.

Hope your boss will recognize your hard work.

Hope your puppy will finally see the big bathroom, which is outside.

Hope your spouse will pick up dinner for you.

Some hope isn’t reasonable.

Hope your child will, on their own, make a fabulous dinner or rub your aching feet.

Hope taxes will forever say goodbye.

Hope winter in Nebraska will stay in the 50’s at the very least.

But real life hope is possible.

Needed, in fact.

If you don’t have hope, you really have nothing.

Deep in winter’s grip, we have hope for spring’s warmth.

During an especially tiring workday, we have hope for the weekend’s rest.

And when children are small, we have hope they will become more and more self sufficient.

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As Christians, we have hope for eternal life, living forever with God.

When we continually trust God for things in this life, our hope increases.

When we faithfully ask God to intervene, placing our worries at His feet, our hope increases.

When we realize we are not in charge and thank God that He IS in charge, our hope increases.

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Place your hope in Him.

Your belief, desire, and trust as the dictionary defines.

And when doubt comes a knockin’ at your door, don’t answer it.

You don’t need that.

Because you have hope.

Real hope from God above.

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Photos by Diego PH, Guilherme Stecanella, Catherine McMahon, Rose Erkul, JOHN TOWNER, Ron Smith, & Nong Vang on Unsplash

Cobwebs

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I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. Psalm 119:15

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Feel as if your mind is stuck?

Wound up with who knows what?

Feel immovable?

So overwhelmed you have no idea where to begin?

When we become so consumed with life, our connections to God become clouded.

Cobwebs begin to weave their way this way and that every time we rely on ourselves instead of God.

When we focus on the millions of things we could, no should be doing, not asking God what He wants us to do.

Whenever I begin to feel the weight of all I’m supposed to take care of, I can feel brain connections popping.

Like an overloaded circuit.

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What if you didn’t go through the mail.

Ok, just look for bills that are immediately due, but ignore the rest.

What if you only sent gift cards to family members for Christmas instead of placing the pressure of finding the perfect gift for all 39 people in the next 3 weeks?

What if you skipped dusting and ate only soup and eggs for a week’s nightly dinners?

Would anyone die?

Your children might think life has if they hate your dinner choice, but who asked them?

Create margin.

Space in your brain.

You literally cannot do it all.

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Clear the cobwebs by focusing on God.

Ask Him to order your steps.

Before you commit to yet another thing, ask Him if you should.

Cut out the extra.

Reload your circuit board.

And clear out those cobwebs.

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Photos by Sam Hetterich, John Carlisle, Esther Driehaus, & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Wait for the Lord

Published on by amylinnea3 Comments

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

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David wrote the phrase “wait for the Lord” twice.

Think it was because he was having trouble himself?

It’s easy to view Bible characters as unusually godly.

After all, their words are quoted in the Bible we still read today.

But they were human.

Flawed, just like you and me.

And apparently David needed to really remind himself to wait for the Lord.

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Do you?

Do you need to be reminded to wait for God’s timing?

Wait for the Lord means just that.

To wait.

And wait.

And wait.

Waiting for His timing.

And in the mean time, David encourages us to be strong and take heart.

Why?

Because he knew that it takes strength to wait for the Lord.

God’s strength.

It also takes heart, meaning your will and determination, yielding your love to God.

Yielding your trust in Him.

In His perfect way and timing, however slow you may think that is.

When God is working, which rest assured, He always is, it’s the waiting that is hard.

Hard for Bible characters then, and hard for us today.

So take comfort.

You’re in good company.

While waiting on the Lord, be strong and take heart.

He is working and will always finish what He has begun.

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Photos by KaLisa , Usukhbayar , Darya , Daiga , Lauren , & Nick on Unsplash

 

One Step at a Time

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The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

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Ever face a giant situation?

A large project, perhaps?

Or a looming life event?

How can we possibly remain calm at the prospect of a new baby?

Or starting a company?

Or a church?

The answer lies in one step at a time.

Concentrating on that one step.

Only one step at a time.

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How do you eat an elephant, the old saying goes?

One bite at a time.

Eww, I just went to the circus.

I love elephants.

They remember their own families.

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Anyway, if you concentrate on the end result,

You’ll become discouraged over and over again.

Goals take time and are sometimes hard to reach.

Choose your goal, but concentrate on each step.

After one step, think about the next.

And the next.

And the next.

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Before you know it, you’ll look back and see how very far you’ve come.

You’ll be that much closer to your goal.

You’ll stop and thank God for the progress you’ve made.

Even if you take a couple steps backward, look at the overwhelming path forward you’ve traveled.

Tremendous.

Stop fretting that you haven’t yet reached your lofty goal.

Smile at how far you’ve come.

And keep on going.

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Photos by Sweet Ice Cream Photography & Gautam Arora on Unsplash

Exhaustion

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For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish. Jeremiah 31:25

Wrote this post a few years back, but never posted it.  As an exhausted teacher, beginning her summer break, it fits perfectly once again 🙂

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Today I’m so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Nothing special, just lots going on.

Driving a child to basketball camp 45 minutes away.

Both ways.

Helping the seven year old get ready for the day.

Dropping off paperwork at the school, purchasing donuts for older daughter’s volleyball game since today is her birthday.

Picking up daughter from summer pe class and taking the entire tribe out to lunch.

Quickly changing clothes to jump into the pool.

Running back home to pick everyone up for daughter’s volleyball game.

Actually 2 games.

Back home, throwing pizza into the oven since the kids declare they must eat dinner, while making boiled frosting for the giant rainbow cake you made and did not have enough frosting for.

Then frosting the extra chocolate cake since that is the flavor your daughter actually requested.

Hosting a birthday party.

Entertaining the seven year old and her cousin for the night.

Oh – and they are sleeping in my room.

So, we need to make a pile of comfort on the floor.

Just need a good night’s sleep.

Or a vacation.

Smile.

Life is busy – but full of life.

When people need you, yes, it’s exhausting, but it’s rewarding.

Making memories.

That’s what this day was all about.

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Each day is full of possibilities.

Laughter.

Love.

Don’t create so much busyness that you forget to see the life you’ve created.

You’re tired because you are pouring your life into someone else’s.

You’re tired because your focus is on someone else’s needs.

That is awesome.

Someday it will all be a precious memory.

But for now, go sneak some rest, because the circus will begin again tomorrow.

And you’ll get to do it all over again.

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Photos by Chris Lawton , rawpixel , Annie Spratt , Lauren Kay , Jonathan Fink , & Joe Pizzio on Unsplash

Wise Men

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:9-10

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Has God ever asked something of you?

And He’s been a little vague, but you know He is leading you in a certain direction?

So you decide to follow the direction He has for you, but it is certainly not fast.

In fact, it’s been a few months or a couple of years and you seem to be going nowhere new.

Are you still trusting Him?

Still believing what He has in store for you?

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When God leads you to walk down a certain path, it’s sure easy at the beginning, isn’t it?

You are fresh, full of ideas, and hope spills over in your heart.

Flash forward a couple of years.

You are a bit weary, irritated, and more times then you care to admit, you listen to lies telling you how foolish you are to keep trusting God.

Sound familiar?

Look at the wise men who came from afar, bringing gifts to Jesus.

History shows these important men traveled a very long time to their destination.

Months or years, historians differ in their interpretation of the time.

But here is the point.

They kept going until their journey was complete.

They were faithful.

Are you?

When God leads you down a path, are you faithful to Him?

God’s timetable is not ours.

His plan includes your salvation.

And the salvation of others.

Even when progress seems to be at a standstill, keep walking.

Keep trusting God in the process.

God’s answers for you are waiting.

But only if you keep following Him.

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Photos by Inbal Malca, Mariam Soliman & Jamie Templeton on Unsplash

Stay the Course

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He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Those words were whispered to me today.

Stay the course.

Trust in God´s plan.

Knowing and believing He is in control.

Even when you´re confused about what to do…

Keep pursuing God.

When hope seems to die regarding your precious child…

Stay on your knees.

When bricks continue to fall on your head…

When life becomes too overwhelming…

Rely on God´s strength.

Allow God to flood your soul with His continual peace as you faithfully pursue His plan.

Stay the course.

God´s plan will unfold.

He will defend you.

In the mean time, stay the course.

Photos by Marcin Kolodziejczak,  Salomon Riedo, & niko photos on Unsplash

Fresh Start

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

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Do you ever wake up and declare this is the day?

This is the day I will become saintly.

Who God made me to be.

I can remember declaring this as a young girl.

Several times.

It would be my new fresh start:

From this day on, I will cheerfully obey my parents.

I will dutifully keep my room clean and treat my brother as a human.

I will keep my mouth shut and opinions to myself!

But on our own power, they are doomed to failure.

Doomed, actually, from the start.

They last mere moments.

However, when covered by God and His strength through us, we are destined for glory.

His glory will shine through us, touching precious souls.

I love fresh starts.

Declare today a fresh start.

Purpose to live for Him.

Cast every thought to God, focusing your mind on Him.

Lay every desire at His feet and let Him guide your steps.

Invite Him to do a mighty work in you, so you can be all that you can be and more.

Amen!

Photos by Mitchel Lensink & Charlotte Rush on Unsplash

Change the Picture

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Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Sometimes I ask myself what is God doing?

Why this or that?

We picture life a certain way.

Then our picture changes.

Why?

I remember we’re not supposed to know why yet.

We’re not supposed to know all the answers.

Yet.

We don’t hold the future.

But God does.

His mercy and grace are all around us when we trust Him to lead us through the steps of life.

He knows what to do next.

What lays beyond us on the horizon.

He will always provide the strength we need.

To do what He asks of us.

And He knows why.

Trust Him to take your hand.

He holds the compass and map.

Put on your walking shoes and sunscreen.

It’s a beautiful day for a walk.

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Photos by Gantas Vaičiulėnas & Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Anticipation or Expectation

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 10:28

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Life is full of promise.

Possibilities are brimming at every turn.

Are you cheerfully anticipating God to work in your life, delivering His plan for your days?

Or are you planning things yourself and expecting God to work your plan?

One surrenders, the other demands.

Works in other relationships too, not just under God.

How bout your spouse?

Are you cheerfully anticipating love or blessings whenever they happily fall into your lap, or do you have impossibly high expectations your spouse will continually fail to reach?

Do you expect your spouse to celebrate you in a certain way, or do you allow them the freedom to bless you from their heart in their own way?

How much do you expect your girlfriends to do for you?

Or do you have the attitude of cheerful anticipation void of your measure?

As parents, we must have certain behavior expectations of our children.

That’s our called and sacred duty.

But speaking of giving love, children are notoriously low on the giving scale as they creep up in years.

Are you cheerfully anticipating their love in their time, or do you hold them to high expectations certain to fail your standards of showing love?

There’s a big difference.

It’s grace vs legalism.

Unselfish vs selfish.

Peace vs strife.

When we hold God, our loved ones, our friends, or anything in our life to our own expectation, we will be disappointed.

Guaranteed.

100%

But if we allow God to bless us when we least expect it, our hearts will brim over with joy.

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I remember praying about my birthday a few years back.

It was the first one as a “divorced” woman.

I prayed to have zero expectations, to be pleasantly surprised with each little detail God provided.

The first child to greet me at school loudly proclaimed, “Happy Birthday!”

Then she ran over for a hug.

I walked into my classroom and the sweetest boy began serenading me, personally singing the entire Happy Birthday song in his precious soft voice.

Be cheerfully expectant.

Anticipatorious as my father would say.

Your days will be peaceful, your heart will be filled with love, and your mind will stay at rest.

And your relationships will thrive.

Ahhh, now that’s the life.

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Redeemer

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The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

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To regain.

Recover.

Exchange.

God is our Redeemer.

He exchanges our sinful selves for a pure soul worthy of heaven.

Nothing we can do on our own merit.

It’s through trusting in His saving grace.

He redeems our souls, but what about life here?

Does He redeem our situations?

Can He?

Is He able to pick up our mess and exchange it?

Does He make all things new in His timing?

Absolutely.

God is not only the Redeemer of our souls, but He is also the Redeemer of our lives here on earth.

He recovers lost years.

He helps us regain our strength.

Our trust.

He exchanges our brokenness for new life.

When tragedy strikes, He is more than willing to redeem our situation.

How?

By trusting Him.

By placing everything back into His precious lap.

By remembering His goodness and believing He has the very best for us.

Redeem.

To me, it means new life.

New breath.

New opportunities.

He has exchanged my sadness for joy.

Ask Him to do the same for you.

Photos by Maria Oswalt & Олександр К on Unsplash

Worth the Fight

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

You shall not fear them, for it is the Lord your God who fights for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

You can’t afford to lay down and die.

You can’t surrender yourself and your family to death or defeat.

You must fight.

Fight like you’ve never fought before.

When your family is pulled under, they are depending on you.

God is depending on you.

Future generations are depending on you.  Lives will be changed forever depending upon your will to fight.

What are you fighting for?  Stability.  Freedom.  God to be ever present during trials.

Walking through with God’s strength.

His peace and deepening trust in the end.

People are watching.  You.

Yes they are. Really? Yep.

Your children, your friends, your church family, acquaintances – “people you don’t know who know your people” are watching.

Sigh, I know, it’s quite the list.

Feeling a little pressure to perform? Well, a little pressure and push to fight is ok, just don’t take on any perfection guilt.

When you surrender your cause to God and allow Him to fight with you, He takes the battles and you are simply the messenger.

You are not performing for others, just your faithful God.

But your testimony stands.

It speaks louder than any word you shout from the hilltop.

When life overwhelms you, when your world is crashing down around you and you instead rise up to fight, people see.

When you fight and allow God to work through you and lift your family out of the pit,  people take note.

It’s your testimony.

Personal trials from real people speak volumes.  Don’t they?

God is real when we speak of His faithfulness through our tears.

God is real when our flesh is marked by trials.

God is real when the battle scars written on our faces show the testimony of our God.

Don’t for a minute think you are only fighting for your family.

No, there is even more at stake.  Your testimony.

And God’s.

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Others are watching to see what you will do, how you will respond, and what God will do for you.

Your fight only begins in your home, but it’s light extends to the world’s doorstep.

Bless yourself, your family, and the testimony of Almighty God by fighting for His work.

It’s a long journey.

Hard to say just how long.

Some of our fights are longer than others.

And weariness can set in at the most inopportune times.

But take heart – God’s faithfulness will endure and with Him by your side, anything can and will happen.

Miracles.

Go out and fight. Don’t give up.

It’s completely and utterly worth it.

Photos by Alicia Quan, Nikolay Maslov, Connor Simonson, & trail on Unsplash