Tag: help

New Beginnings

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

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.

Nothing surprises God. Nothing.

So let your new beginnings include God.

The big ones and the small ones.

Every single one.

Photos by Sushobhan Badhai, Clark Wilson, John McMahon, & feey on Unsplash

Refuge and Strength

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God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way; though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Psalm 46:1-3

This Psalm depicts absolute dire circumstances.

The earth gives way.

The earth literally moves away.

The mountains are moved into the sea.

Tall giant mountains are now in the water.

The water surrounds, causing the mountain to tremble.

Real calamity.

But yet, the psalm starts with God.

God is a present help in the midst of earth shattering consequences.

He is above the fray.

Has your life given way?

Do you have important people or situations impossibly thrown into the sea of chaos?

God promises to be your strength in the midst.

In the midst of the swirling waters, which make no sense, God is there.

He is present even in the midst.

Even in the unanswered prayers.

Even in the misunderstood situations.

Your life can become like nothing you recognize, but you can still rely in God.

He has, is, and always will be with you.

But it is your choice.

God cannot remain your ever present help if you choose to focus on the storm.

On your mountain which has been thrown unexpectedly into the sea.

When the safety of the ground beneath gives way, what is your response?

Trusting God, who promises to be your refuge in the midst?

God is our present, real, never leaving help in trouble.

Because of this, we will not fear when life throws up around us.

Why?

Because our God stands with us.

In Him we find refuge and strength.

Photos by Christian Cueni & Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash

Dear God, Help!

Published on by amylinnea3 Comments

The Lord will rescue His servants; no one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned. Psalm 34:22

This is big.

Too big.

Too much.

I can’t even wrap my mind around it, so there’s that.

I’m going to call it simply impossible.

Dead end, that’s where this situation lays.

No literal way out.

My mind is wrapped in anxiety and dread.

Blanketed with fear, causing my stomach to lurch whenever my mind remembers.

Standing at the edge, I throw up my hands in surrender.

God, I can do nothing to help.

I am not in control.

God, please help.

Please take it all away, sweeping in with Your goodness, health, and peace.

I know Your plan is not for evil, but for good.

And I know you created us with the choice to follow Your virtues or not.

While I cannot control the whims of others, I can purpose myself on You.

On Your truth.

On Your wisdom.

On Your peace.

We all face mountains, be them family situations, health, or other, that become defining points in time.

How will your mountain define you?

Turning to God, trusting Him to solve it all?

Or turning into yourself, which will 100% fail you and those you love.

Turn to Him, who created our universe and everything within.

Turn to Him, giving Him every worry, anxiety, and fear.

Turn to Him and let Him hold you, making it all better.

And watch Him work miracles.

Either you’ll see Him solve things as only He can, or you will witness Him providing you with His perfect peace within the storm.

Either way, your front row seat will behold His perfect miracle just for you.

Photos by Phạm Trọng Họ,  Ben White, & Naassom Azevedo on Unsplash

Secure Feet

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:3-4

Remember the beginning?

The psalm starts by intentionally looking to God for help, acknowledging that our help comes from God, the Creator of all things.

And as we recognize our weakness, we know God will help us.

Why?

Because He made all things.

Even us.

Verse 3 goes on to describe His help.

God’s protection is secure.

Within Him, even your foot will stay still.

You will not fall down with God’s help.

When you ask Him to work through you, His purposes are fulfilled through you.

He will keep you within Him.

Safe.

Solid.

Secure.

But it gets better.

God does not sleep.

He’s always awake, helping us, protecting us, keeping us secure.

There will never be a time when God is not willing to help you.

Never a time when He won’t be with you.

The Lord keeps us.

Is there anything special you keep safe and secure?

That’s how God feels about us.

He keeps us safe within Him.

We may face unimaginable trials in this life, but we can rest assured God is always with us, keeping us with Him.

In the dead of night, God is there for you.

In the pit of despair, He’s there, too.

Whether on the first day of school or the last,

When new life arrives or goes,

When relationships flourish or suffer,

When wearing masks or not,

God is always present, even wanting to help you.

Reach out to Him.

Empty yourself of you, asking God to help you with absolutely everything.

We can do nothing without Him.

But with Him, we can do anything He asks of us.

God, who never sleeps, keeps us close.

And with Him helping you, your feet will stay securely planted just where He wants them.

Photos by Michał Parzuchowski, Brina Blum, & Bruno Nascimento on Unsplash

Our Highest Help

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

I will lift up mine eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Need help?

I know, we all do with anything and everything.

This life presents challenges which come and go, both internally and externally.

We need help with our jobs, family relationships, and extra commitments we join.

We need help with our minds to focus on what God wants us to do.

We need help to purpose our hearts, aligning them to God’s.

We need help to follow through with God’s purposes for our temporary lives.

We need help to filter through all of the world’s noise, attempting to constantly distract us.

We sometimes even need help to simply place one foot in front of the other.

The psalmist begins by deliberately choosing to lift his eyes to the hills.

Deciding to ask for God’s help is first, realizing we cannot perform our best apart from God.

We remind ourselves we cannot do things on our own.

We must ask for help.

We then declare our help comes from God.

Finally, we declare God’s power to help as we affirm Him Creator of all things.

Who better then the Creator of all things to help us with our small needs?

God created us.

God created our desires.

And He created us to need Him.

Only with a relationship with God will you become fulfilled in this life.

When the many needs press you for a solution, remember to raise your eyes to heaven.

God is always ready and willing to help you.

All you have to do is ask.

Ask Him to fill you up with Himself.

Then keep your peace, knowing the Creator of heaven and earth will give you everything you need.

Lift your eyes to God, asking Him to work through you.

And He will, every single time.

Photos by Hans Isaacson on Unsplash

Mowing the Lawn

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Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. Proverbs 28:26

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Ever made a dumb decision?

I have.

Like yesterday.

Folks, I’ve decided I like mowing our giant lawn.

I see steady progress and it doubles as exercise.

Plus my dear husband loves the help.

Decided to surprise him for the second time.

Yesterday.

With temps in the 90’s.

Sunshine.

Let’s mow for an entire hour in the sun with high temps.

Great idea!

It was not.

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This time I did prepare with some water.

Forced myself to stop and drink.

However, I still came in dripping with sweat, and literally collapsed in front of our lovely fan.

Rinsed off and changed.

But that’s when it all went down hill.

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I was sick for the rest of the day.

Could hardly move.

Hours later, I decided to swallow my pride and reach out for help.

My neighbor nurse declared me afflicted with heat exhaustion.

My dear mother wanted me to drink electrolytes as that was the only thing that would help me feel better.

I wanted to, but all I could manage were baby sips.

It was so ridiculous.

All because I wanted to mow.

Once I finally managed enough liquids in my system, I began to feel a bit better.

Today, I’m even better, but still not myself.

Good grief.

Life sometimes demands we “do something” to move forward.

We want to, but it’s painful!

Baby steps will get you there just like giant leaps.

Or in my case, baby sips.

I suppose I should apply that to the lawn the next time that brilliant idea pops into my head.

I don’t have to mow the entire thing at once.

I’ve actually been fired from mowing, unless I mow in chunks.

Or in the early morning hours.

Today will be a better day.

I wish I hadn’t lost yesterday!

But, hey, the lawn does looks great!

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Photos by Vectorbeast ,amirhossein abdollahi ,Daniel Watson ,& Zé Zorzan on Unsplash

It’s OK to be Sad

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And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Luke 7:13

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Really?

Yep, it’s ok.

Sadness is an emotion.

Just like happiness or anger or irritation.

Jesus was sad.

He was grieved for his people.

Do you think He was filled with joy in the Garden of Gethsemane before He was betrayed?

Not at all.

His spirit was greatly troubled (Matthew 26:37).

Sadness, deep sorrow is a real emotion.

God made us and created all of our emotions.

They are for a purpose.

A reason.

When your life crumbles, you need to grieve.

Your heart needs to heal, and that takes time.

How much time depends upon you and your needs.

Major life upheavals require a season of grief.

A winter of sorts where you rest.

If you choose to rest in the arms of Jesus, your recovery may be shorter.

A person can also become a bit sad for little reasons.

You might have an expected bill.

Your child doesn’t give you a hug before bed.

Gasp, your children ate the last of your favorite ice cream.

These are moments.

They pass almost as quickly as they come.

Dwelling on these little moments of sadness never really enters your mind.

The bigger moments, however, dig into your core and sadness can easily overtake you.

It can become your focus when a loved one dies, during a divorce, a job that evaporates, or an intense godly desire that never seems to materialize.

It’s in those moments that you have a choice to make…

Dwell on sorrow or experience the real emotion for a time, and purpose to move on.

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You must grieve.

It’s an honest emotion.

It’s healthy.

But only for a season.

Don’t allow your mind to become stuck.

Resist the temptation to keep hitting the replay button for months and years.

You will take away years and the grief will become an idol.

Your identity will be wrapped up in grief.

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Allow yourself a season of rest.

Of sadness.

Grieve.

Please.

But during that time, place your burdens and sorrow into the arms of Jesus.

He will fill your void, dry your tears, and give you little bursts of hope.

And when your season is over, a new day will dawn and your joy will return.

Just ask Him to help.

And I promise He will.

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Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash

Prayer

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

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kneeling prayer of kid

May we press into Jesus

so that others see only Him

through our hands, our words, and our self.

May we focus so intently on Him

that we forget our selfish troubles

and our attitudes become pure.

May we remember why we are here on earth,

so friends can rest in their assurance of Him.

May we demonstrate His love and grace to others,

even when they don’t deserve it.

May we draw others to God through our very selves,

because our transformation has no explanation

other then God’s power giving us pure hearts.

And when we fail over and over,

may we press again into Jesus,

accepting His grace and forgiveness,

as we once again determine to be like Him.

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Don’t You Dare Stumble!

Published on by amylinnea5 Comments

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life. Psalm 54:4

Ever feel like you are trying too hard?

Like you are holding everyone and everything up by yourself?

It’s precarious.

One small bump and everything can come crashing down.

Falling into pieces.

One word.

Don’t.

Let God carry everything.

He holds the entire world in His hands.

He can hold your world too.

You can’t control circumstances.

Reactions are others to give.

Yes, you can do your best.

And you should.

But leave the results up to God.

Stand in His peace, knowing He has your back.

He’s got it.

He’s in your hands as you care for your children.

He’s in your words.

Actions.

And prayers.

I know, I’ve said this before.

Many times.

But we all need reminders, don’t we?

And here it is:

God’s got this.

He’s in charge, you are not.

So let Him carry whatever it is that is bothering your precious mind.

And just simply be.

Photos by Don Starkey, benjamin hershey, & Jose Francisco Morales on Unsplash

Already On Its Way

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But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments. Psalm 103:17-18

Since God has our back and He knows our every thought…

our every need…

our every heart’s desire…

Did you ever think about the fact that His help is already on its way?

Before we even think of our need.

Before we bow our knees in prayer.

His answer is on its way.

Coming at His perfect timing.

Not our timing.

But His.

Unexpectedly wonderful things.

Redeeming us.

Bringing us blessings in all the right places.

He sets things in motion before our first prayer is uttered.

He knows the beginning from the end.

If your heart truly rests with the heart of God, you can be assured help is on the way.

It’s been coming ever since God thought of it.

Which was a long time ago.

He knows all things.

He knows what is best.

And He loves you like crazy.

As you pray and trust God’s provision, be looking for that help to come.

And smile.

Because its already on the way.

Photos by Ümit Bulut, Jonathan Borba, & 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič on Unsplash