Tag: purpose

How Free Are You?

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.   1 John 4:15

If you confess with your lips…

If your soul longs for God…

If your heart knows it needs to be forgiven…

When you confess Jesus is Lord,

You are free.

God abides in you.

God is in you, through you, around you.

He is intertwined with you.

Your whole you.

Logically speaking, if God abides in you, why are you not free?

Why do you choose to stay in your old habits?

Your ugly selfish ways?

Why do you even listen to the lies Satan plants into your brain?

Because our free will allows us to choose.

It’s time to choose again.

Next time someone is hostile, abide in God.

Next time something doesn’t go your way, abide in God.

Next time you frown at your mirror’s reflection, abide in God.

The God who created all things sent His only Son to die so He could abide in you.

Unbelievable.

He came to set you free -to live abundantly.

Purpose your mind, heart, and soul to abide in God.

Because as a Christian, God is abiding in you.

 Photos by Joshua Earle & Ankush Minda on Unsplash

Questioning God

Published on by amylinnea4 Comments

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Who am I to question Almighty God?

What gives me that right?

His ways are above mine.

He holds our future in His capable strong hands.

Our job is to trust Him with faith like a child.

Oh we can have conversations.

We must.

We beg Him to explain His purpose.

To explain why.

It will probably turn into a little whining and fussing, and that’s ok.

But we stop at the threshold of why, turning back instead to trust.

You’ll feel better when you share your heart with the One who created it.

Picture God as your big strong daddy.

Tug on His arm and climb up onto His lap.

Let Him hold you in His gentle arms as you tell Him your troubles, your concerns.

All of them.

Let Him dry your tears, reassuring you He’s got it all under control.

He’ll lead you all the way home.

Just walk with Him and trust.

And when He turns a way you wouldn’t, keep your hand in His, never letting go.

He will never lead you wrong. Ever.

Photos by Guilherme Stecanella, Aaron Burden, & Jessica Delp on Unsplash

 

Audience of One

Published on by amylinnea2 Comments

“You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” Genesis 16:13

Pulled the chicken out of the oven and assembled the many dinner plates.

Peas, macaroni & cheese, and chicken on my blue dishes looked appetizing.

As I said out loud to thin air, “Good job, Amy”, I knew at that moment God had heard me.

I felt His smile.

Then it hit me.

I work for God.

Who do you work for?

Ok yes, your boss who signs your paycheck.

Your sweet spouse as you help each other tackle life.

Can’t forget the little people who depend on you for continuing their very existence.

We could add friends, church, volunteering, and society.

Let’s face it – we work for many.

Lots of people depend on us.

Too bad the amount of work we do doesn’t equal the thanks flowing to our ears.

What?

Most of what we do is unnoticed.

Unsung.

No thank you’s.

And that’s ok.

Why?

Because God sees it.

He notices.

And He’s the One we work for.

Every time you pull dinner from the oven

Fold sweet smelling laundry

Wipe up spills you never created

Greet a lonely neighbor

Go the extra mile at work

Cut out box tops for your child’s school

Soothe a crying baby

You are noticed.

Next time you do something for someone, remember God is well pleased.

Very pleased.

You helped God smile.

And that, in the end, is all that matters.

Because we work for an audience of One.

“….but as we go on in grace, we find that God is glorifying Himself here and now, in the present minute.  If we have God’s say-so behind us, the most amazing strength comes, and we learn to sing in the ordinary days and ways….”  Oswald Chambers

Photos by Ogulcan Ercal, Andrés Gómez, & Daniil Silantev on Unsplash

Obvious

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

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

It should be obvious I am Your child, Lord.

That I spend time with You.

Sweet Jesus, please give me Your eyes.

I want to see things through Your lens.

Your filter.

I want to see things as they really are.

Not as I imagine them to be.

Help me see Your ways working.

Silence the things I imagine as they are not of You.

Allow me to see only what You want me to see.

And Lord, please give me Your ears.

Help me to hear Your thoughts.

Only.

Your ways.

Your ideas.

Your truth.

Only.

Filter out the noise demanding my focus.

Silence the thoughts in my head that question actions and words of others.

Let me hear the pure sound of their love and Yours.

And let them hear mine.

Let me be Your hands and feet.

I want to bless others as You have blessed me.

Put Your hand over my mouth when I’m tempted to speak ill.

Give me words to speak when You have something to say.

Close my ears to lies and open my ears to the truth.

Cleanse me from the inside out.

I have absolutely nothing without You.

But with You, I have everything.

Photos by Wim van ‘t Einde, Natalie Thornley, & Kevin Young on Unsplash

Redemption

Published on by amylinneaLeave a comment

He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. Psalm 62:6

Always knew God would redeem us.

He promised He would.

And He always keeps His word.

But standing back and watching His plan unfold is different.

It’s breathtaking.

Leaves me speechless.

And I am part of His plan.

So is my beloved.

How incredible it is to know God is using us for His plan.

Literally the hands and feet of Jesus.

I’m struck with just how much God cares about us.

How can we know we are in His thoughts?

Details. Notice them. Pay attention.

The people He brings into your life.  Even the ones with you for a moment.

The EMS man, who rushes into your house, actually knows your family well.

Precious friends who pray for you and can’t wait to see your new diamond.

Circumstances He redeems or turns around and uses for good.

The job that was taken from you because God had a far superior plan in mind.

The cozy life that was stripped away causing you to depend only on God.

Does He lead you down wild paths that lead to nothing?

Nope.  There’s a reason behind His plan.

And awful circumstances?  He turns the ashes into new life.

Sitting here on the other side, I can simply attest to God’s goodness.

He turns sadness into joy.

How?  You must turn everything over to Him.

Trust that He will redeem you in His perfect timing.

I know He will.

It’s not easy, but there’s just nothing else you can do.

No possible way you can shoulder things on your own.

Let God take over and show you His redemption.

Then sit back and become part of the story.

Part of His plan.

Your ashes will turn into a beautiful story.

Like mine.

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Photos by Skull Kat, Nagesh Badu, & Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Front Row

Published on by amylinnea1 Comment

I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. Psalm 17:6

Let God do what He is going to do.

Simply be. Relax.

You don’t need to plan how.

Leave that all up to Him.

Allow God to use you as He sees fit.

Feeling anxious?  Ask God to work through you.

Become a vessel through which He can accomplish His great purpose through you.

How?

By giving Him your heart.

And the rest of you as well.

Ask Him to use your hands and feet for His purposes.

You just have to be willing.

Put yourself out there and see what He will do.

How will He use your words of blessings to a friend’s heart?

How will He use your hands to scoop up a frightened child?

How will He lift your child’s pain through your hugs?

Can He use you?

You bet.  You’re important.

A valuable piece of the puzzle.

Can He accomplish His ways without you?

Sure, because He can do anything.

But why would you want to miss out on His blessings?

Why not have a front row seat to His miracles?

Doubt, that’s why.

How can God possibly use me?

I have nothing to give. I’m just a mom.

I’m just an ordinary person. Nothing special.

Stop entertaining lies of your worth.

God created you and He never makes mistakes.

He created you with unique gifts that will bless others, touching their hearts.

When we surrender ourselves to God and allow Him to use us, His blessing flows out into the hearts and souls who desperately need a touch from God.

You can be that touch.

You can be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Why not pull up a chair right to the front row.

It will literally be the best show ever.

Photos by Aaron Burden, Bonnie Kittle, & Aleksandr Eremin on Unsplash