What do you face today?

You may not know what you will face today, but know God will get you through. He fights for you, battles for you, and loves you. When you feel weary call out to Him, when you need comfort simply say His name, Jesus.  When you feel frustrated, scared, like no one understands, simply talk with Him- tell Him your concerns, tell Him your fears, be vulnerable and open to Him.  He sees your heart, He counts your tears, and He has promised to never leave.

Today and everyday He is your God, your Father, your Faithful Friend; today and everyday He pours out unconditional love and covers us with grace. Today and everyday He heals, restores, and renews, not because He owes it to us, but because His love is unwavering.

If you have a relationship with Jesus then you receive all of His promises, no matter what you are facing today, know that He is right there with you, seek Him and He will get you through.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you;

      Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

      I will strengthen you,

      Yes, I will help you,

      I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

While you are going through it, remember God has a plan for it!

 When adversities come against us, we want to question why it is happening to us?  How could this trial bring good?  Why must I endure?

We ask these questions because we do not know what God has planned.  Our capacity limits us to know, even though our mind strains to understand. Our faith demands that we lay down all our cares to the Lord so that He, in His mighty power and authority, will guide and take care of us.

The Lord has far greater understanding and far greater knowledge than we do, He created the world. He alone knows the plan He has for it and for each one of us individually. In our weakness we will glorify His strength and ability. When we go through trials and praise Him, we glorify His name. When tribulations hit us, He can stretch us, and mold us, and give us a powerful testimony.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NIV)

No matter what you face: guilt, a broken marriage, anxiety, health problems, financial problems, loneliness- don’t let the devil make you doubt that God isn’t right there with you. If you turn to Him, He will never leave you. You may not know why you have to go through it, but trust that God has a plan for it.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Randomosity: Part 4

Randomosity: The state of being or being part of random occurrences & activities. Also known as being in a state of complete randomness

This week has been wonderful. Blessings have been abundent! Here are some words and thoughts that have inspired me this week!

Glory to God in the highest! Praise Him for what He is about to do. Trust, lean on and rely on Him. His strength will get you through. His love will comfort. His promises are never broken. When your mind says no, let your spirit say YES! Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  Ask and you shall receive.  Go to Him. Ask for your plan, for your purpose. Ask for an increase. Seek. Believe. Trust the Lord wholeheartedly. Jesus, He is with us, He will guide us, for the rest of our days. Let Him be the one your heart beats for!

You are fearfully and wonderfully made
(Psalm 139:14)
Melissa

Distracted December –or – Devoted December

This is the busiest time of the year: Christmas decorations to put up, packages to wrap, shopping trips, cookies to be baked, plans to be made, holiday events, parties and get togethers, the list goes on and on.  With such a fast paced month ahead the importance of where we put our time, our eyes and our energy has been weighing heavily on my heart.  TV shows, music, events, traditions and people all can affect what and who we deem as important. Things of this world can knock our priorities out of balance in an instant. When our priorities are out of balance the devil is delighted and will take advantage of kicking us when we are already wobbly. If you are drained, unmotivated or simply tired look at where you are putting your time and what you are investing in.

Worship, church, the word, prayer, fellowship are all activities that will refresh and renew you. With the holidays in full swing it is so easy to get distracted: the demands of people, traditions and events can be exhausting to keep up with. While we are running around, hopping from one store to another or one party to another, it’s easy to forget that these distractions make us tread on unsteady ground. This holiday season keep your priorities straight, stay firm with Jesus and put Him first. 

Christmas is not about how many lights are on the tree or how many presents there are left to get it’s about the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. About the promise that He gave us, about the ransom He paid, and how He opened a way to Heaven to all who have a relationship with Him. Don’t buy into the distractions, this December show Him your devotion for the precious gift He gave us!

Matthew 1:18-25

New King James Version (NKJV)

Christ Born of Mary

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”

So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Trust Him

When times are uncertain we try to rationalize, explain, evaluate our odds. Trying to figure out what is right or come up with our own strategic plan. When unsteady times approach us, our mind plays all the available outcomes. What decision should I make? What should we do? What is the answer? Will it work out? Will it be okay? We rationalize over and over again what possible chance the event will unfold to our benefit, what we can say, what we can do to make the most out of our situation.  We spend hours unfolding, refolding the events; doing a play by play of what happened or what might happen.

Don’t let the world or the enemy steal those precious hours from you.  Instead focus on the Lord and trust Him. Trusting in Him means we let go of our ways, our management strategies, our tactics, our ideas and rely on the Lord’s ability, strength, and promise to us. 

As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. 
Psalm 18:30

After all, the Lord has a plan for us. It is a plan in which He designed, but these plans always include us needing God.  He also designed us to need Him.  When these uncertain times approach us, and they will, remember God can be found at the center of it all. Turn your control over to Him and simply trust Him.

The LORD will guide you continually,

And satisfy your soul in drought,

And strengthen your bones;

You shall be like a watered garden,

And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Thankful

          My heart is so abundantly thankful for this life You have given me. For all the shortcomings and the falls that have brought me to this very point. For the second and third times I have turned from You, only to find You stronger again. I am thankful You are my foundation, my source of strength and for the reminder of how small I really am. You humble me every day- by how big Your love is, by your unchanging ways, by Your light that always guides me. I am thankful You have exposed me to Your miracle working ways, that You fill me up with such passion for You, such Love. You have given me the joy of a child and removed fear of this world. You replaced worry with courage and took my timid ways and made me bold. For each breath I am blessed, for each blessing I am amazed and for each opportunity to glorify Your name I am thankful.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalm 100:4

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa

Materialistic Isn’t Realistic: Focus On What Matters

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

1 John 2:15-17

          Society has defined success as a posh new car, the latest technology gadget, a new house, vacation home, high end clothing, designer everything- a list that is seemingly impossible to keep up with. Some work there entire life just to give themselves, their kids, or their family the demands of what society deems as successful. But in the midst of working hard to have better, to have more, we can easily lose sight of reality: The things of the world die in the world. And when we leave; our fancy new car, our designer home, our multi-carat diamond rings don’t go with us. When we go to eternity we don’t get to take a suitcase of our most precious items with us, yet we work so hard for things of the earth.

          It is better to live as a simple sheep living with less in the world, less distractions that take away from God, then to live with a fixation on the glamorous materials of the world. Be cautious of today, of where you put your energy, your time and your investment. Invest first in God and He will provide for your needs, here on earth and eternity.  But invest in the world, in materials; trying to get more for yourself and you just may hamper your investment in eternity.

         Our time is short here on earth, don’t let the prize of possessions distract you from the reality of eternity. Forever with Jesus is what matters.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

(Psalm 139:14)

Melissa