“Be my guide, my pilot.” June 30, 2009

“Beware of letting your care degenerate into anxiety and unrest, tossed as you are amid the winds and waves of sundry troubles. Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord, and say, ‘Oh, my God, I look to You alone. Be my guide, my pilot,’ and then be comforted. When the shore is gained, who will heed the toil and the storm? And we will steer safely through every storm, as long as our heart is right, our intention fervent, our courage steadfast, and our trust fixed on God. If at times we are somewhat stunned by the tempest, never fear. Let us take a breath and go on afresh. Do not be disconcerted by the fits of vexation and uneasiness that are sometimes produced by the multiplicity of your domestic worries. No indeed, dearest child, all these are but opportunities of strengthening yourself in the loving, forbearing graces that our dear Lord sets before us.”

~ Francis de Sales

(Taken from “Daily Strength for Daily Needs” compiled by Mary Tileston)

Giving God the pen… June 29, 2009

Recently I finished reading through When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy. Last night as I read over the final chapters, I felt led to share some of the passages that spoke to me. I highly recommend their book, although there are a few things I wish they’d left out. Overall, though, it’s an excellent book, one that has greatly helped me!

“The beauty of a God-written love story [and LIFE story] is not something reserved for the perfect and pious; its for the sinners like you and like me. Thats what God’s love is all about. We are so unworthy of His grace and forgiveness-and yet He offers it to us freely.” ~Leslie on page 226

“…He knows every sin we have ever committed from the day we were born. It is foolish to try to keep our sins hidden from Him. Yet when we come to Him, bleeding and broken, filled with pain and regret, afraid of His anger, and look into His eyes, He smiles tenderly. He lifts our chin with His nail-scarred hand. And He gently says, ‘I don’t condemn you. Now go, and stop sinning.’
When we come face-to-face with this perfect love, it takes our breath away. We deserve to die for what we have done. We should be stoned by an angry mob. But not only does Jesus save our life with His own blood, He washes us completely clean. When He looks at us, He doesn’t see our failures and mistakes, He sees a new creation-a child of God.
When we repent and accept His forgiveness, He can take the sin that our enemy meant to use to destroy us, and use it for His glory. He can take a shattered heart and life and script a beautiful tale of His perfect love.“
~Leslie on page 228

“Wet eyes are watching you. The moist eyes of Jesus, tenderly longing for you to let go of your life and hold fast to Him. His eyes are gentle as they see you stumble and scrape your knee in sin once again. He doesn’t kick you when you’re down, but rather He carefully stabilizes you with His mercy and grace and helps you to your feet. He is so patient when you falter and is ever faithful to forgive you.
His eyes are smiling as they find you longing to please Him.
His eyes are also full of pride as they observe you trusting Him. He, more than anyone, knows how difficult it is to stand against the tide. He simply wants an ordinary person to trust His nature and character, and to test His perfect faithfulness.”

Have you ever thought of that? That God smiles when we try to please Him? That it makes Him glad when we try to live our lives in such a way that they bring glory to Him? That He is proud when we trust in His faithfulness, rather than our own ideas and plans?

On the flip side, have you thought of the pain He feels when we ignore Him, and try to live life our own way? How He longs for us to let go of our life and give Him the pen?

“Wet eyes are watching you. The caring eyes of heaven have spent too many years burning with tears of pain over your life and mine. Let us choose today to bless God’s heart with the gift of loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let’s make those wet eyes proud!” ~Eric on pages 240 and 241

“Be assured, if you walk with Him and look to Him and expect help from Him, He will never fail you.” ~George Mueller, quoted on page 242, emphasis mine

Putting Christ’s Death Into Perspective June 28, 2009

So sometimes I think that I am the rottenest, worst person on Earth.  It seems like my confession time of prayer takes longer than any other prayers I have.  And I often wonder to myself, how could Jesus love ME so much as to die for me on the cross?  But do I REALLY believe that He died for ME on that cross.  Sometimes I think I’m caught up in the idea that He really only actually died for humans as a majority.  Since there were enough of us throughout the course of time that would accept His wonderful gift, He decided to come die for us.  But I often think that maybe if I had been the only person on Earth to ever accept His wonderful gift, He wouldn’t have done it.  He wouldn’t have died for JUST ME on the cross.

Wrong.  When people say, “Jesus died for me on the cross,” they are simply confirming that He actually did. If you had been the only human ALIVE, He still would have died for you.  He loves us that much.  It’s a humbling thought, and sometimes just too amazing for me to believe.  But I think that that is one of the beautiful things about God.  We don’t have to make rhyme or reason out of what He does for us.  If we just accept it all and live out lives with a passion for spreading this good news, we weill live some of the most enriching lives ever.  So start reminding yourself throughout your day that Jesus died FOR YOU, He really does love YOU that much.

Every Day Is A Gift June 27, 2009

“Every day is a gift you’ve been given, make the most of the time every minute you’re livin’.” ~ Chris Rice

Ever think about how your day is a gift from God? It’s a GIFT! Every breathe you take is from HIM! Every heart beat you have is from HIM!

Enjoy your day and make the most of your time!

In Your Hands June 26, 2009

I listen through the darkness
And I know that I’m not alone
And I feel You all around me
But every time I call
All I hear is my own echo
Your silence says it all
I’m restless but I will not fight
I’ll, oh…
Let go

It’s in Your hands
It’s in Your hands
I trust You though I don’t understand
It’s in Your hands
It’s in Your hands
I’ll close my eyes and fall into plan
Plan, plan, plan, plan, plan
I trust You ’cause it’s all in Your hands

As time slips through my fingers
I slow down and breathe you in
There’s a peace that washes over me
[ Krystal Meyers Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
And I’m not afraid at all
Of things I cannot see
Nor understand
‘Cause faith is blind
And I’ll go on another night
‘Cause I know…
(It’s in Your hands)

Maybe one day
This will make sense
But until then
I’m trusting You
I’m confused
But You’ll come through
You always do
I’ve waited so long
To see my sun on
The horizon
Feel it coming on
And I’m seeing You

June 25, 2009

(Note: I actually decided to do this devotional BEFORE I saw Amy’s post.  So an accidental continuation, taken from The Book of Days: living the new rebellion)

Did you know that the little conversations you have in your head are simply prayers in formation?

When you are going about your day and you find your mind wandering to issues of anxiety or problems you can’t solve, this is an unexpected invitation of intimacy.  Turn those thoughts and emotions into prayer.  Instead of becoming agitated or fixated on a problem, convey them to God and release the weight.  This is continuous prayer.

In this way, prayer becomes as natural and constant as breath itself.  The breath of life, the breath of the New Rebellion.  Your eyes don’t need to be clsoed; your head doesn’t need to be bowed.  Prayer is simply your intimate conversation with the Father.  Thanksgiving flows out of a heart that walks in the reality of a big God.

God, turn my head noise into prayer this day so that every problem becomes an invitation to thanksgiving and renewal for Your purposes.

Where did my mind wonder?? June 24, 2009

“No wonder Satan tries to keep our minds fussy in active work till we can’t think in prayer.”
~Oswald Chambers~

This morning in my devotional book I read this quote by Oswald Chambers, and it really struck me because it’s something I tend to fall into – I’ll be praying by myself, or someone else will be praying, and suddenly my mind will start wondering to all the things I have to get done, or what this or that person said to me, or a book I’ve been reading, and where did I put it? Etc, and suddenly I’m not hearing the prayer any more, and I have to pull my mind back to the prayer and the fact that we are talking to GOD!

So, my thought for you today is – what are you letting your mind wonder too during the prayer? How great God is, or what you have on your list to do?

Think about it! (But not during a prayer! ).

God bless!

Inside Out June 23, 2009

Often in this world, you’ll come across people who will put on a “front”…they’ll put on an act, because they’re afraid that people won’t accept them for who they really are…that people won’t like them when they show they’re true self. Sometimes they’ll even hide their love for Christ, because they’re afraid of being ridiculed, or made fun of…sometimes they even hide it in case someone thinks they’re weird. We’ve got alot of peer pressure in this world, and alot of the time we give in, because we don’t want to be made fun of. We don’t want to be seen as different. But as Christians that’s exactly what we’re supposed to be! Different! We should stick out in such a way that people WILL look at us and see a difference. Yes, we will have our time where people ridicule us, make fun of us, and laugh at us. But imagine what could happen as well…someone could see the difference in you, and question it! “What makes them like that?” “Why is she always like that?” And it opens up a chance to share God’s wonderful love. Think about it…you would lose those chances if you hid your real self away. Don’t hide within yourself…let your inside out! Let God’s love and light shine out of you! Be yourself…the you that God changed…the you that God has made!

And even if you’re only hiding yourself for a different reason…say a friendship, because you’re afraid someone won’t like you for you if you don’t pretend to be less passionate, or more calm and quiet…whatever the reason, don’t fall for this deceit! If this friend is going to be a true friend, he or she will like you for YOU. Not for who you think they’d like. If they do become your friend, they will be bound to find out who you really are eventually….let them know right away! Don’t hide who you are, or who God made you. Be yourself in everything, but most importantly…be who God has made you! Show your inside out.

 

Inside Out

by Cadia

You’re not alone
You’re not the only one who’s going through
What it is that ties you up and won’t let go of you
Just look around at every face standing in the crowd
You’ll see exactly what im talking about
You use to say you’d rather fade into the background
This is a new day, look at what your heart found
With everything you’ve bottled up and buried down inside
It’s pushing up like springtime

Time to bring it to the light
Everything we try to hide
Are you with me, are you ready to shine
From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its allright now
To let the inside out

Go right ahead, you can rub your eyes in disbelief
Pinch yourself, cause maybe this is not a dream
God loves you with a love that’s gonna stick around
You see exactly what I’m talking about

Time to bring it to the light
Everything we try to hide
Are you with me, are you ready to shine
From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its allright now
To let the inside out
From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its allright now
To let the inside out

It’s all about just letting go
Time to let the real you show
It’s all about just letting go
Time to let the real you show

From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its alright now
To let the inside out
From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its alright now
To let the inside out
From the inside out
Who cares what it looks like,
Oh yeah, take your heart for a joy ride
Go ahead you know that its alright now
To let the inside out
To let the inside out
To let the inside out
To let the inside out

Ask in faith June 22, 2009

Last week while doing my reading for my Bible study with Livi and Amy, a quote in our book stuck out to me. In my journal I wrote a few things about it, and I wanted to share it here with you gals. It’s interesting to me that God didn’t allow me a chance to post it last Monday, and is instead having me post it today, because today I really need this reminder to trust His will!!

“Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ, and expect great things.”

~Andrew Murray

I think this is a very crucial point for me. How often, when I pray, do I actually stay quiet for a bit and just worship God? How often do I just meditate on His Word, and think about all that He is capable of, all He has done for me in the past? How often do I think about His delight at hearing me, His child, talk to Him, or delight myself in my salvation and His love? And, probably most importantly, how often do I truly expect great things to result from the time I spend on my knees? More often than not, I find myself asking for the hard things halfheartedly, as though it’s something too great for me to ask God to do, or too hard for Him, etc. I’ll ask Him to do something in this person’s life, but inside I’ll say, “But if You don’t, it’s fine…I won’t be disappointed, etc.” I think it’s fine to say, “Only if it’s Your will, Lord,” but if we ask without faith, and doubt that He’ll do it, why do we even bother to ask in the first place?

“But he must ask in faith, without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

~James 1:6 (NASB, emphasis mine)

“Ask in faith, without any doubting.” It’s hard to do, especially when it seems like our prayers are never answered…but maybe it’s because they aren’t being answered the way WE want them to. It’s a hard process, bringing our will into agreement with His, and accepting His as the better way. But we need to keep working at it. Keep seeking His will. Keep praying. Keep asking in faith, without any doubting. God will be faithful to us. If only we’ll just believe it!

My favorite aunt is… June 21, 2009

God has no favorites.  Sometimes this may be hard to believe, but it is a real truth.  God loves you just as much as he loves your pastor, your parents, missionaries, or people around the world who die for His name.  This is such a hard concept for me to grasp, especially at the end of each day when I reflect back on the sins and displeasing things I did throughout that day.  As I ponder how it takes me over a month to read one short book of the Bible I wonder how God can love me as much as He loves those who have memorized entire books of the Bible.  Even Paul acknowledged the fact that God chooses no favorites when he writes to the Christians in Galatia, “By the way, their (leaders of the church) reputation as great leaders made no differences to me, for God has no favorites” (Galatians 2:6).  Even men who were known to be great Christian leaders were no more important in Christ’s kingdom than everyday Christians!

In a society where “favorites” are always present—best friends, favorite cousins, favorite foods, etc.—it is hard to accept that God has no favorites. It does not matter how many times you have sinned, how little of the Bible you have read, or how many doubts you have in your head.  He loves you the same amount that He loves the “godliest” person that you know.  So don’t be discouraged and put yourself down because you think that God loves you less than He loves any other Christian.  Just because humans have “favorite people” does not mean that God does.  God’s way is perfect, and He chooses a way without favoritism so that no Christian is less loved than another.