Today is Ash Wednesday - I have personally never observed Lent or Ash Wednesday. I always saw it as a Catholic tradition (My tiny little Italian Grandma always had ashes on her head every year) and out of my limited knowledge on the topic, would often pass by the subject. But, I love what it leads up to, Easter! Resurrection Sunday! The day that Jesus said "take that Satan" and conquered death, hell & the grave. The day that Jesus finalized my freedom. I love Easter.
A friend posted a wonderfully written blog post that got me to thinking about Lent and all it means. So I've been doing some reading for myself. While indeed it remains a tradition that Catholics do observe, many other faiths observe it as well. I love this from Wikipedia:
"There are traditionally forty days in Lent which are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbour). Today, some people give up a vice of theirs, add something that will bring them closer to God, and often give the time or money spent doing that to charitable purposes or organizations."
Although I don't feel we need to pay penance for our sin, as Jesus did that in totality on the cross, I do think it's necessary to continually check our hearts, to be sure there is no sin in us. It's so easy for that junk to creep in. Oh thank you Jesus for continual forgiveness the moment we ask...
Our church has participated in a few corporate fasts and let me tell you, I saw God move not only on our churches behalf, but in my own personal life as well. God did some amazing stuff while we fasted; we saw tremendous breakthrough in many areas. So there is most definitely something to be said for fasting, it's powerful stuff. You combine that with prayer and look out Jack! God will move on your behalf.
But more than what God will do on our behalf, I think about Jesus, my sweet, sweet Lord - the Savior of my life. The man that has given me so much, without me deserving it in the slightest. The man that has picked me up out of the muck and mire more times than I can count. Jesus. When I think about Him fasting in the wilderness for 40 days, being tempted by Satan - Satan trying with all he could to abort the mission of the Cross, there's Jesus, quoting scripture right at the devil and conquering His own personal flesh - because remember, He was TOTALLY flesh.
Then he goes on and heals people, He gives people hope, He reaches down to the lowest of the low, He befriends the unfriendly, He went where nobody else wanted to go and sought out the people nobody else wanted to seek out...
And as if doing all those wonderful things and more that we don't even know about, as if that were not enough, He goes to the Cross. Oh the Cross. He was nailed there. But they didn't even need to bother with the nails; because He would have stayed there anyway. He would have stayed there anyway. HE WOULD HAVE STAYED THERE ANYWAY. For me. And for you.
Then comes Easter Sunday! My favorite. Sweet freedom.
So I share all that to say this, I don't know yet what the Lord would have me do to observe this season, but when I think about my best friend Jesus, My Father, when I think about Him enduring a 40 day fast, ministering to anyone and everyone, going to the cross and then triumphing over it all - I have to do something. My heart longs to do something. I love Jesus. And he loves me. Enough to stay on that cross, without the nails.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Can you make me laugh?
Lily did not get enough sleep last night, as evidenced by her morning of crying over every last thing she could possibly cry about. At one point, in the midst of an episode of tears, she said, "Mommy, can you say something that will make me laugh?"
She is a funny kid, that's for sure. Sensitive as all get out. And funny. But in that moment of upset, she was not able to channel her funny bone, AT ALL. She needed someone else to do it for her! Unfortunately I had no wit at that moment but rather scooped her up and put her down for a nap! Hopefully when she wakes up, all will be right in the world of Lily, and she can laugh again.
But it got me thinking, we need each other! No matter where we are in life, we need friends. We need people that we can call on at a moments notice and say, "hey, can you make me laugh please?" Do you have anyone like that in your life? If you don't, ask God to bring that for you. I have a few people that I could call and know that they would genuinely crack me up if I desperately needed a good laugh.
We all face junk in life; bad news, disappointments, hardships, the list goes on and on. It's not necessarily what the outcome of the situation is that makes the difference, although of course it's a huge part, but rather, it's the journey through the situation that makes the difference. If we can come out to the other side of the negative thing we are up against, then we have won! If we can stand with our head held high, albeit barely standing, then we have won. If we can laugh through the junk, then we have won.
So I guess I say all that to say this, we need friends. My goodness how we need buddies in our lives! I love friends. Funny friends. Dramatic friends. Smart friends. Quirky and kooky friends. And friends that like to eat ;)
She is a funny kid, that's for sure. Sensitive as all get out. And funny. But in that moment of upset, she was not able to channel her funny bone, AT ALL. She needed someone else to do it for her! Unfortunately I had no wit at that moment but rather scooped her up and put her down for a nap! Hopefully when she wakes up, all will be right in the world of Lily, and she can laugh again.
But it got me thinking, we need each other! No matter where we are in life, we need friends. We need people that we can call on at a moments notice and say, "hey, can you make me laugh please?" Do you have anyone like that in your life? If you don't, ask God to bring that for you. I have a few people that I could call and know that they would genuinely crack me up if I desperately needed a good laugh.
We all face junk in life; bad news, disappointments, hardships, the list goes on and on. It's not necessarily what the outcome of the situation is that makes the difference, although of course it's a huge part, but rather, it's the journey through the situation that makes the difference. If we can come out to the other side of the negative thing we are up against, then we have won! If we can stand with our head held high, albeit barely standing, then we have won. If we can laugh through the junk, then we have won.
So I guess I say all that to say this, we need friends. My goodness how we need buddies in our lives! I love friends. Funny friends. Dramatic friends. Smart friends. Quirky and kooky friends. And friends that like to eat ;)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Certain Women
Luke 8:1-3
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."
I love this passage of Scripture! "Certain women" were following Jesus, as well as the disciples. Mary, Joanna & Susanna are mentioned in this portion, however, I imagine there were tons of others as well. They had experienced the love of Jesus and could not help but follow Him.
I have always loved the unique attributes that women possess. I love the characteristics that set us apart from men. I love that we are emotional and nurturing and talkative! I love when I see women interact with one another; I enjoy watching facial expressions while ladies talk and I love, love, love to see emotion. I bet Jesus did too. I bet He marveled at the species that God had created with such precision, not making a mistake in the slightest. I bet Jesus thought, way to go Dad, you done good!
Women are special. And yet, if you were to ask a group of women how many of them felt that way, nary a hand would be raised. Why? Well, there is a plethora of reasons but I think it boils down to this: we have forgotten that we are of the "Certain Women!"
If Jesus walked this earth in the flesh, you bet I'd be running to follow Him. Can you imagine what stuff they saw? And furthermore, can you imagine what a help those certain women must have been to Jesus. Had he been traveling simply with the disciples, I'd venture to say that Jesus would not have ate too well and His clothes would have been filthy! I'm sure the women there helped to meet the practical needs of Jesus, the passage of Scripture above confirms that, saying they provided for Him from their substance. But beyond the practical, I imagine the women to be the glue that held that group together, as we women do. They loved on people, they hugged, they laughed, they cried, they listened intently. No doubt they offered wisdom in areas that the men were unable to offer it. And again, I bet Jesus loved it.
He always was kind to women. He knew how special they were. In a culture that placed little to no value on women, Jesus wanted them around Him. He loved them. And He knew that they too were created for a purpose. He knew that they too had plans and gifts and talents and things that could be offered to the world. And so it was that certain women were there. Doing what we women do.
Obviously I can't follow His fleshly body today, but oh how I can follow Jesus. Oh how I can do my best to live for Him. Oh how I can do my best to be kind, to love deeply, to listen clearly, to serve wherever there is a need. My prayer today is that we women would realize that indeed we are part of the "certain women" that Jesus longs to have near Him. All of our flaws, all of our weakness', all of our quirky habits, He longs to have us with Him. Created in His image, to do something pretty cool with our lives. Because we have value. We are "Certain Woman."
"Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, 2 and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance."
I love this passage of Scripture! "Certain women" were following Jesus, as well as the disciples. Mary, Joanna & Susanna are mentioned in this portion, however, I imagine there were tons of others as well. They had experienced the love of Jesus and could not help but follow Him.
I have always loved the unique attributes that women possess. I love the characteristics that set us apart from men. I love that we are emotional and nurturing and talkative! I love when I see women interact with one another; I enjoy watching facial expressions while ladies talk and I love, love, love to see emotion. I bet Jesus did too. I bet He marveled at the species that God had created with such precision, not making a mistake in the slightest. I bet Jesus thought, way to go Dad, you done good!
Women are special. And yet, if you were to ask a group of women how many of them felt that way, nary a hand would be raised. Why? Well, there is a plethora of reasons but I think it boils down to this: we have forgotten that we are of the "Certain Women!"
If Jesus walked this earth in the flesh, you bet I'd be running to follow Him. Can you imagine what stuff they saw? And furthermore, can you imagine what a help those certain women must have been to Jesus. Had he been traveling simply with the disciples, I'd venture to say that Jesus would not have ate too well and His clothes would have been filthy! I'm sure the women there helped to meet the practical needs of Jesus, the passage of Scripture above confirms that, saying they provided for Him from their substance. But beyond the practical, I imagine the women to be the glue that held that group together, as we women do. They loved on people, they hugged, they laughed, they cried, they listened intently. No doubt they offered wisdom in areas that the men were unable to offer it. And again, I bet Jesus loved it.
He always was kind to women. He knew how special they were. In a culture that placed little to no value on women, Jesus wanted them around Him. He loved them. And He knew that they too were created for a purpose. He knew that they too had plans and gifts and talents and things that could be offered to the world. And so it was that certain women were there. Doing what we women do.
Obviously I can't follow His fleshly body today, but oh how I can follow Jesus. Oh how I can do my best to live for Him. Oh how I can do my best to be kind, to love deeply, to listen clearly, to serve wherever there is a need. My prayer today is that we women would realize that indeed we are part of the "certain women" that Jesus longs to have near Him. All of our flaws, all of our weakness', all of our quirky habits, He longs to have us with Him. Created in His image, to do something pretty cool with our lives. Because we have value. We are "Certain Woman."
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Alone
Psalm 62:5
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
The Psalmist is telling himself to wait, quiet down. Be still. Too wait for God alone. God is who I need. God is the one with the answer. God is the one that will make the way. I don’t need to look to everyone else, I need to look to God, because, MY EXPECTATION is from Him.
What I expect Him to do, only He can do.
In the book of Genesis we read about Jacob and a time that He wrestled with God.
Genesis 32:24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with Him until the breaking of day.”
He was alone. His soul was waiting on God.
Jacob was returning to meet his brother Esau, who had become very rich. Esau had been blessed abundantly in the things of the world. He had authority and power to take all that Jacob had and to take vengeance on him. Jacob knew this. He also knew that there was only one way of deliverance, and that was that God would show him favor. He knew he needed God to intervene in this situation. God intervenes when conflict arises.
Our church is embarking on a 21 day fast tomorrow. We did it last year, for the first time, and look forward to this becoming a tradition each year. It’s when we get alone with God, when we set ourselves apart, as we are focusing on for these next 21 days, it’s in these times that we have the ability to see tremendous victory!
Jacob said, I will not let go unless you bless me! He was in a dark place and he knew without God’s intervention, he would not make it.
No matter where you find yourself today, press on. If you are in a dark place, press on. If you are sick in body, press on. If you need an answer from Heaven, press on. Dig down deep and hold fast to that strong will that’s inside all of us and press on until you get the victory. It may not come swiftly, but surely it will come.
Jacob wrestled all night with the Lord and in the end, God honored his determination. He blessed him. And when Jacob met Esau it was a wonderful reunion. Jacob sought after God’s will, after His favor. Will you? Will you seek to be in His will today? This 21 day fast has the potential to shave off the muck & mire we so easily get ourselves engrossed in. It’s a wrestling match, our will vs. God’s will. And in the end, when we tell our soul to wait quietly for the Lord, we not only will learn a whole lot about ourselves and become a better person, we not only will develop a greater love for people, but everything we expect God to do, our faith will grow to believe that He will do it.
My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.
The Psalmist is telling himself to wait, quiet down. Be still. Too wait for God alone. God is who I need. God is the one with the answer. God is the one that will make the way. I don’t need to look to everyone else, I need to look to God, because, MY EXPECTATION is from Him.
What I expect Him to do, only He can do.
In the book of Genesis we read about Jacob and a time that He wrestled with God.
Genesis 32:24 says, “Then Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with Him until the breaking of day.”
He was alone. His soul was waiting on God.
Jacob was returning to meet his brother Esau, who had become very rich. Esau had been blessed abundantly in the things of the world. He had authority and power to take all that Jacob had and to take vengeance on him. Jacob knew this. He also knew that there was only one way of deliverance, and that was that God would show him favor. He knew he needed God to intervene in this situation. God intervenes when conflict arises.
Our church is embarking on a 21 day fast tomorrow. We did it last year, for the first time, and look forward to this becoming a tradition each year. It’s when we get alone with God, when we set ourselves apart, as we are focusing on for these next 21 days, it’s in these times that we have the ability to see tremendous victory!
Jacob said, I will not let go unless you bless me! He was in a dark place and he knew without God’s intervention, he would not make it.
No matter where you find yourself today, press on. If you are in a dark place, press on. If you are sick in body, press on. If you need an answer from Heaven, press on. Dig down deep and hold fast to that strong will that’s inside all of us and press on until you get the victory. It may not come swiftly, but surely it will come.
Jacob wrestled all night with the Lord and in the end, God honored his determination. He blessed him. And when Jacob met Esau it was a wonderful reunion. Jacob sought after God’s will, after His favor. Will you? Will you seek to be in His will today? This 21 day fast has the potential to shave off the muck & mire we so easily get ourselves engrossed in. It’s a wrestling match, our will vs. God’s will. And in the end, when we tell our soul to wait quietly for the Lord, we not only will learn a whole lot about ourselves and become a better person, we not only will develop a greater love for people, but everything we expect God to do, our faith will grow to believe that He will do it.
Friday, January 6, 2012
You are not your past
You are not your past. I am not my past. Sure, the history that has been my life plays a role, but it does not have to define me. We have certain quirks & habits about us, some that have been brought on by genetics and some that have been brought on by self; but they don't define me. Because I am not my past. You are not your past. We look a certain way, and we talk a certain way, and we have certain mannerisms, but that does not define us. That is not the sum of who we are.
The decisions we have made are powerful, of course, but they don't define us. While yes, it's true that our next step hangs on the hinges of our next decision and yes, it can be life altering for the good or the bad, BUT, it does not have to define us. It's up to you. And it's up to me.
We have all made poor choices in life; we have all said and done things that if given the chance to go back, we certainly would correct those things. But since we don't get the option of a re-do per se, we have to take today for what it is. And today is a day bathed in mercy, if we'll accept it. Today is a day bathed in grace, if we'll accept it. Today is a page that is yet to be written. You can choose today to be your past, or you can choose today to be your future!
I love Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Even in the midst of our worst choice, even perhaps when we did not know God, even while doing that very thing that we would change if given the opportunity, even then, Jeremiah 29:11 was still Jeremiah 29:11. Even in our past, God's thoughts toward us were peace. They were good and not evil. He still had a plan and a purpose for us. Even then.
And so in the today that we have been given, we make the choice. We either live in the past and allow our history to define us. Or we look at today and say "God, your will and not mine."
His mercies are new every morning. It's a new day, He is the God of new beginnings and this can be the best day of the rest of our lives, because of the amazing grace of God.
Let's not live another day in the valley of regret. Let's not allow the devil to make our mind a playground of our past mistakes or miseries. I am not my past. You are not your past.
It's a new day. The choice is yours. The choice is mine.
The decisions we have made are powerful, of course, but they don't define us. While yes, it's true that our next step hangs on the hinges of our next decision and yes, it can be life altering for the good or the bad, BUT, it does not have to define us. It's up to you. And it's up to me.
We have all made poor choices in life; we have all said and done things that if given the chance to go back, we certainly would correct those things. But since we don't get the option of a re-do per se, we have to take today for what it is. And today is a day bathed in mercy, if we'll accept it. Today is a day bathed in grace, if we'll accept it. Today is a page that is yet to be written. You can choose today to be your past, or you can choose today to be your future!
I love Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope."
Even in the midst of our worst choice, even perhaps when we did not know God, even while doing that very thing that we would change if given the opportunity, even then, Jeremiah 29:11 was still Jeremiah 29:11. Even in our past, God's thoughts toward us were peace. They were good and not evil. He still had a plan and a purpose for us. Even then.
And so in the today that we have been given, we make the choice. We either live in the past and allow our history to define us. Or we look at today and say "God, your will and not mine."
His mercies are new every morning. It's a new day, He is the God of new beginnings and this can be the best day of the rest of our lives, because of the amazing grace of God.
Let's not live another day in the valley of regret. Let's not allow the devil to make our mind a playground of our past mistakes or miseries. I am not my past. You are not your past.
It's a new day. The choice is yours. The choice is mine.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Refuge
Deuteronomy 33:27 says, "The eternal God is your refuge, and His everlasting arms are under you." Doesn't that paint such a beautiful picture for you? It does for me. Having grown up without a good father figure, I often picture myself with Jesus, doing "fatherly" things. I will close my eyes during worship and picture myself curled up in Jesus' lap, as my girls do with my husband. I just imagine that to be the most peaceful, safest place of refuge anyone could ever experience!
The word "refuge" can be translated "mansion" or "abiding place," which makes us think of our home. Well, I guess "mansion" is not the first word that comes to my mind when I think of home, but abiding place sure does! Although, our new home is a mansion to us. The Lord did a miracle for us over the summer and blessed us with a home that literally goes above and beyond all we could have ever asked for or thought for ourselves. It was as if God jumped right into our hearts and pulled out every last little desire for a house that we had so deep in our hearts, and just went "Voila!" The way the Lord worked all the details out, well, it's nothing short of a miracle.
That being said, we love being home. It truly is our "refuge." There is something to be said for the statement of Dorothy that cries out, "There is no place like home." I've been different places and thought to myself, oh how I wish I had on some ruby red slippers because I just want to go home! No place like it. Even when the girls are fighting and/or playing really loud, there is still such a peace in the house, a peace that I did not have in any home growing up. I'm so glad my girls get to live in a peaceful environment, one where mom & dad love each other, have fun together; a home where there is no fighting and shouting...just a refuge.
Home is a place of comfort. In our home, we pretty much always where our "cozies." As soon as we walk in the door, if we don't have plans to leave the house again, (and who am I kidding, even if I do have plans to leave again) off go the outside clothes and on go the cozies. We save loads of money in dry cleaning this way! But it's just cozy! You put on some cozy jammie pants and a shirt...nowadays you gotta throw on the sweatshirt too, but still, cozy. Our girls can always tell when Joey has somewhere to go and they plead for him to get on his cozies!
Home is a place of safety. It's a place of comfort. It's a place of rest, of peace, of joy. So if that is our earthly refuge from the outside world, how much more of a refuge is the Lord? He is our shelter and our retreat; He is our abiding refuge. As psalm 23 tells us, we can fear no evil when we are abiding in our refuge.
At home we let our guard down don't we? We just let loose and feel the freedom to relax without fear of anyone misconstruing our words or taking something the way it was not intended. We just are free. How much more free can we be with the Lord? That we could speak our hearts cry out to Him, knowing that He won't take our words out of context; He won't judge us for what we say or think. He knows the very deep recess' of our heart already, so we can take refuge in that...we can just be free.
I read this today by Spurgeon:
"Home is the place of our truest and purest happiness. It is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him that far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labor. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burdens and quickens the fingers to perform the task; in this sense, we may also say that God is our home. Love for Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son, and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labor in His cause."
Take a moment today to thank God for the refuge that He provides for us; a refuge from the craziness of the world; a refuge from the fear & worry that so quickly try to beset us. I love Jesus. And He loves me. And if home is where the heart is, then I'm relaxing for just a little while longer...
The word "refuge" can be translated "mansion" or "abiding place," which makes us think of our home. Well, I guess "mansion" is not the first word that comes to my mind when I think of home, but abiding place sure does! Although, our new home is a mansion to us. The Lord did a miracle for us over the summer and blessed us with a home that literally goes above and beyond all we could have ever asked for or thought for ourselves. It was as if God jumped right into our hearts and pulled out every last little desire for a house that we had so deep in our hearts, and just went "Voila!" The way the Lord worked all the details out, well, it's nothing short of a miracle.
That being said, we love being home. It truly is our "refuge." There is something to be said for the statement of Dorothy that cries out, "There is no place like home." I've been different places and thought to myself, oh how I wish I had on some ruby red slippers because I just want to go home! No place like it. Even when the girls are fighting and/or playing really loud, there is still such a peace in the house, a peace that I did not have in any home growing up. I'm so glad my girls get to live in a peaceful environment, one where mom & dad love each other, have fun together; a home where there is no fighting and shouting...just a refuge.
Home is a place of comfort. In our home, we pretty much always where our "cozies." As soon as we walk in the door, if we don't have plans to leave the house again, (and who am I kidding, even if I do have plans to leave again) off go the outside clothes and on go the cozies. We save loads of money in dry cleaning this way! But it's just cozy! You put on some cozy jammie pants and a shirt...nowadays you gotta throw on the sweatshirt too, but still, cozy. Our girls can always tell when Joey has somewhere to go and they plead for him to get on his cozies!
Home is a place of safety. It's a place of comfort. It's a place of rest, of peace, of joy. So if that is our earthly refuge from the outside world, how much more of a refuge is the Lord? He is our shelter and our retreat; He is our abiding refuge. As psalm 23 tells us, we can fear no evil when we are abiding in our refuge.
At home we let our guard down don't we? We just let loose and feel the freedom to relax without fear of anyone misconstruing our words or taking something the way it was not intended. We just are free. How much more free can we be with the Lord? That we could speak our hearts cry out to Him, knowing that He won't take our words out of context; He won't judge us for what we say or think. He knows the very deep recess' of our heart already, so we can take refuge in that...we can just be free.
I read this today by Spurgeon:
"Home is the place of our truest and purest happiness. It is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in Him that far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labor. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burdens and quickens the fingers to perform the task; in this sense, we may also say that God is our home. Love for Him strengthens us. We think of Him in the person of His dear Son, and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labor in His cause."
Take a moment today to thank God for the refuge that He provides for us; a refuge from the craziness of the world; a refuge from the fear & worry that so quickly try to beset us. I love Jesus. And He loves me. And if home is where the heart is, then I'm relaxing for just a little while longer...
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Get into position!
Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the Lord, and I do not change." That verse is awesome! Life is full of change. So much so, that I'm tired of hearing myself say that so often. Change, change, change. But amidst the changes of life, it brings me such joy to know that God Himself will never change. He does not need to change. He does not need to work on His issues, like we do! He does not need to control His temper. He does not need to try to be kind while pummeling through a crowd at wal-mart, not that I've ever personally had trouble with that, nope. He does not need to check His motives, or the content of His heart. He does not need to grump at the driver that cut Him off on the road, even though that person can't hear said grumping; not that I've ever done that either ;)
He does not need to change! He is perfect. He is all knowing. He is powerful. He is my stability. He is my deliverer. He is the creator of Heaven and Earth. He does not need to change. He is my desire. He is my fortress. He will send His angels to protect me and to guard me in all my ways. He will set my foot on a rock! He will keep me from slipping into a pit. He does not need to change! He will collect my tears. He sees my need. He hears my prayers. He is preparing the answer to my prayers, even now. He desires good things for my life! He does not need to change! He is my provider. He is my defender. He is my King! He is my dad. He is my hero. He is my best friend. He is lovely. He is beautiful. He is kind. He is gentle. He is gracious. HE DOES NOT NEED TO CHANGE!
I love it. Everything changes. The earth. Space. The ocean. Our bodies. Our families. Our friends. Church. Work. Our homes. Our cars. Our lives. It all changes. But not God. He never changes. His ways are the same today as they were before the foundation of this earth was made!
And because of that fact, we can face any kind of adversity and come out of on the other side, with our head held high, because God never changed. We experience change in adversity, but God does not. He is the same as He ever was. We can rest on that anchor of truth; "I am the Lord and I change not!"
When we grab hold of that glorious truth, we find our stability. We can have that stability in the midst of anything we face. ANYTHING we face. Because James 1:17 says of the Lord that "there is no variation or shadow of turning." Meaning God is not even thinking of changing! No matter what you face, no matter what you have done, He is not even thinking of changing His position. And His position is Love, everlasting love at that (Jeremiah 31:3.) His position is peace. His position is grace & mercy. His position is provision. His position is way-making. His position is wisdom. His position is justice. His position is safety (Nah 1:7.) His position is truth. And that, my friends, will never change.
He loves you now as much as He ever did. Regardless of what you have done. Regardless of the toll life has taken. Regardless of the crisis you have faced. He loves you the same. Because He never changes. And He has no intention of doing so.
Now that gives me peace today. That helps me say like St. Paul said, "having done all, stand." Whatever you are facing today, whatever lemons life is throwing at you, stand. Stand. Stand. STAND! Because the never changing God is standing with you. All His attributes are with Him. No better place to be, then standing with the One who never changes.
Thank you Jesus.
He does not need to change! He is perfect. He is all knowing. He is powerful. He is my stability. He is my deliverer. He is the creator of Heaven and Earth. He does not need to change. He is my desire. He is my fortress. He will send His angels to protect me and to guard me in all my ways. He will set my foot on a rock! He will keep me from slipping into a pit. He does not need to change! He will collect my tears. He sees my need. He hears my prayers. He is preparing the answer to my prayers, even now. He desires good things for my life! He does not need to change! He is my provider. He is my defender. He is my King! He is my dad. He is my hero. He is my best friend. He is lovely. He is beautiful. He is kind. He is gentle. He is gracious. HE DOES NOT NEED TO CHANGE!
I love it. Everything changes. The earth. Space. The ocean. Our bodies. Our families. Our friends. Church. Work. Our homes. Our cars. Our lives. It all changes. But not God. He never changes. His ways are the same today as they were before the foundation of this earth was made!
And because of that fact, we can face any kind of adversity and come out of on the other side, with our head held high, because God never changed. We experience change in adversity, but God does not. He is the same as He ever was. We can rest on that anchor of truth; "I am the Lord and I change not!"
When we grab hold of that glorious truth, we find our stability. We can have that stability in the midst of anything we face. ANYTHING we face. Because James 1:17 says of the Lord that "there is no variation or shadow of turning." Meaning God is not even thinking of changing! No matter what you face, no matter what you have done, He is not even thinking of changing His position. And His position is Love, everlasting love at that (Jeremiah 31:3.) His position is peace. His position is grace & mercy. His position is provision. His position is way-making. His position is wisdom. His position is justice. His position is safety (Nah 1:7.) His position is truth. And that, my friends, will never change.
He loves you now as much as He ever did. Regardless of what you have done. Regardless of the toll life has taken. Regardless of the crisis you have faced. He loves you the same. Because He never changes. And He has no intention of doing so.
Now that gives me peace today. That helps me say like St. Paul said, "having done all, stand." Whatever you are facing today, whatever lemons life is throwing at you, stand. Stand. Stand. STAND! Because the never changing God is standing with you. All His attributes are with Him. No better place to be, then standing with the One who never changes.
Thank you Jesus.
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