Asking God Why...

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?" - Job 38:4

When tragedy strikes, questions follow. Our loss of a loved one may lead us to ask God any number of pointed questions: "Why did You let this happen?" "Whose fault was this?" "Don't you care about my pain?" Believe me, as the grieving daughter of a Mother who suddenly passed from an illness I have asked these very questions. 

The book of Job records the questions Job asks as he sits down with friends to lament his suffering. He had lost his family as well as his health and possessions. At one point, he asks, "Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter of soul?" (3:20.) Later, he asks, "What strength do I have, that I should hope?" (6:11). and, "Does it seem good to You that You should oppress?" (10:3). Many have stood near a headstone placed too early and asked similar questions. 

But when you all the way to the end of the book, you get a surprise. When God responds to Job (chs. 38-41), He does it in an unexpected way. He turns the tables and asks Job questions-different questions that show His wisdom and sovereignty. Questions about His magnificent creation-the earth, stars, and sea. And the questions all point to this: God is sovereign. God is all-powerful. God is love. And God knows what He is doing. 

We comprehend him not, 

Yet earth and heaven tell, 

God sits as sovereign on the throne,

And ruleth all things well.  - Gerhardt

Our greatest comfort in sorrow is to know that God is in control. 

No one ever said it was going to be easy to lose a close loved one. Yes we are going to ask God why and that is ok. We just need to realize God is in control and is with us all the way during this time of mourning. 

Let's Pray, 

Father, We come to you in a time of great sorrow and ask that you remind us that you are right here with us. Here to comfort those of us who have yet to mourn, those of us who don't know how to mourn, and those of us who are still asking why. May your grace remind us that you are in control. 

Amen.

With Love, 

B

Time of Grief

"...To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified..." - Isaiah 61:3 (AMP)

There are times in our lives when we go through grief- whether through the loss of a loved one or a major trauma, or through disappointments and rejections. Whatever it may be that has brought grief into our lives, we can be assured that God will bring us comfort. He can turn our mourning into praise and give us the garment of praise for our spirit of heaviness. In our time of grief- God is there with us. He feels the sadness we feel and fully understands. He wont leave us to go through it on our own.

Know that if you are going through a time of grief at the moment, you know you can share it with the Lord. He is there for you and He loves you so much.

Your Heavenly Father holds you when you weep in those times of your loss and grief. 

I am asking for prayers for my family during a hard time right now. That we will heal and accept that God's will is being done.

With Love, 

B

Overwhelmed Spirits

....when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Psalm 61:2.

Being overwhelmed sometimes is from our own making. There may be things piled on us that are out of our control for some extent but the majority of stressing out and facing burnout is a combination of bad decisions in our time and management of our life. 

All of a sudden everything has snowballed and we are weighted down in so many areas that everything starts to crumble. On top of that there are sometimes fears that come along with it. Life can get very complicated in a very big hurry. 

When working in any type of organization it is easy to get caught up in piling on too much. We have to work at scaling things so that they are manageable. Nobody can do it all--all of the time. As leaders, we to make better choices.

Here are 10 things that you might have heard before to help guard against stress and burnout, but I think once in a while we all need reminded of them.

1. Consistent Bible Reading and Prayer.

The thing that helps me the most when I am feeling overwhelmed is just to get in the Word and go to the Lord in prayer. When it is a daily part of my life, the weight of the many things that press down on me is so much lighter.

Talking to the Lord about our troubles and concerns can give us some much needed peace. 

2. Rest.

One thing we all need is enough rest. We need a good night's sleep, especially when we have a lot on our plate. We can't accomplish anything if we are worn out before we start out day. 

Even Jesus knew the value of rest. 

3. Eat Healthy.

I always feel better when I eat better. It's a simple thing but we have to eat what's good for us. We have to take in the right things spiritually too because that can have an effect on whether our spiritual lives are healthy or not. 

4. Exercise.

Exercise can release stress in a big way even if it is just walking. When we are leaders, how can we help anyone else if we aren't doing those things that enable us to keep on going?

5. Do Something Pleasurable.

There is nothing wrong with doing something fun. We are not to get caught up in the pleasures of the world but we can have fun and relax as a Christian. 

We need to do something that makes us laugh sometimes. We need to do something that interests us and inspires us. It might be a hobby or just something that you have always wanted to try. 

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends.

Our family can help ease our stress. Being around those that love us can be such an enjoyment and blessing to us.

7. Learn to Say "No".

It's a hard thing for some leaders I know, but learning when to say no has got to be something we learn to do. It will save us so much heartache. 

We don't want to be mumbling, "I should have just said no!" when we end up not coping. 

8. Set Boundaries on Your Time:

Guarding our time helps us avoid that overwhelming feeling. Sometimes we just need to pace ourselves. We need to take things one day at a time. 

It never does anyone any good to try to do a week's worth of work in one day. Set clear boundaries on when you will and will not work on projects.

9. Learn to Delegate.

We have to learn to share the load in ministry and everything else we are involved in. The best leaders find capable people to help. They acquire that knack in delegating tasks and responsibilities to others. 

10. Manage Wisely.

I think we need to manage all areas of our lives a little better. Part of that might be simplifying and uncluttering areas of our ministry or perhaps even areas of our personal lives. If might be organizing, learning to budget, or rearranging activities and events.

The more things flow in our lives, the less stress we pile on. 

Having too much on us can really wear us down. That is why as leaders in life we really need the support of others. There is always so much to do. We need help from others who will help with planning and tasks. We need the support of prayer. 

Above that support though, we really need to make better choices in what we do with our time and how we about our planning. Most importantly we need to rely on the Lord for our strength. 

I think of David and how he relates several times in the Psalms about being "overwhelmed". At each instance he knew where to turn to. He turned to God to help him through and be his strength. I know I need to do that more.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. - Psalm 61:2.

I cried unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. - Psalm 77:1-3.

I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then though knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.- Psalm 142:1-3.

If you haven't read through all of Psalm 142 lately, I encourage you to do so. It can be a real blessing when you are stressed and to the point of breaking.

So, do you have an overwhelmed spirit? 

Let's pray.

Father God, 

We come to you today to thank you for the many blessings that you have given us. Thank you for providing us guidance and reminders to use your words when we feel overwhelmed and can't handle anything else. Thank you for lifting us up when we most need it and providing us with people in our lives who are willing to do the same. In Jesus name.

Amen.

With Love, 

"B"

Soul Sisters..We Need Them.

And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. - 1 Samuel 18:1

I've always loved the story of Jonathan and David's friendship and recently when I read in 1 Samuel, that part about their "souls" struck me. It says "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David". You know, I hear so much about "soul sisters", "soul mates"' and what we consider those "deep friendships". I began thinking about my relationships and friendships with other Christian sisters in the Lord.

I think the friendships between Christian sisters can be so much more than what the world can offer. Talk about Soul Sisters! Our hearts and souls belong to the Lord so we can have wonderful, encouraging, deep and meaningful relationships like the friendship of Jonathan and David.

Those Christian women in my life and who I've known over the years are some of the people who've encouraged me and motivated me the most. 

S...Silly.

When thinking about my sisters in the Lord, what sticks out the most to me? Well, I have some sisters that are just silly. Not a serious point to start with but I think it's so important that our friends bring some laughter and a little humor to our lives. I know some sisters that just make me laugh and sometimes I just need that laughter so much.

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. - Proverbs 17:22.

I think part of it has to do with the joy in their hearts. The Lord gives us that joy and sometimes I think it bubbles out of some people more than others. I love being around people like that, don't you? Especially my sisters in the Lord. I also love the fact that they allow me to be a little silly myself sometimes.

I...Inspiring.

I love those sisters in Christ that inspire. They make me want to do more, do better and sometimes just get involved in something. Sometimes it's not by what they say but what they do.

It might not even be an inspiration to do something spiritual. It just might be by how they are organized or even how they keep their house. 

I need all that inspiration for my spiritual life that my sisters give to me as well. I need to be encouraged to love Christ more, read the Bible more, pray more, and all those things from my sisters that inspire me to be a better Christian.

S...Strong.

I've had many sisters in Christ that seem to have such a strength. So many Christian women I've known and met over the years have had some real struggles and heartache in their lives. I always think that mine seem so small and trivial when I see what some women go through. 

I appreciate all that strength they have found in the Lord to just keep going on and on and I love it when they share some of that strength with me. 

T...Talkative.

I couldn't pass up how much we women like to talk. It's not a bad thing. It's one of those good things. When we don't talk and share, there's something missing from our lives. Talking about things out-loud with our sisters helps us to cope.

Communication is so important. How can we fellowship without talking and sharing? When we share our joys and struggles with each other, it builds us up. And what comes along with that is my sisters listen to me as well.

E...Encouraging.

Praise the Lord! I love it when my sisters in the Lord encourage me. I, like everyone else, have days that I'm down and there's nothing better than when a friend and sister in Christ comes along and cheers me up, perhaps gives me a pep talk, and brings me that encouragement that I am so in need of. 

Using people in our lives to encourage us is one of the wonderful ways in which God works. 

R...Real.

One of things I love about my sisters in the Lord is that they are real. I need some real friends to keep me grounded. Have you ever been around superficial people? It makes me so uncomfortable to be around people like that. 

I need my friends to be real and genuine and that's what other sisters in Christ are to me.

S...Saved.

One thing that all of my sisters in the Lord have in common is that they know the Lord. They've been saved by the power of Christ's blood.

Isn't it great that our sisters in Christ are all in one family? We all have our Heavenly Father in common and that makes our sister relationship special.

I trust I'll be that soul sister that my sisters in Christ need around them. I really don't know what I'd do without my sisters in the Lord. I don't really think it's all about being good "soul sisters" as much as it is about being good for each other's souls. 

My sisters in the Lord encourage me and keep me grounded by their faith, friendships, and love.

So, sister, have you been good for another sister's soul lately?

Let's pray:

Heavenly Father, 

We come to you today to remember that you gave us one another to lean on in times of need, in times of fellowship, and in all times of life. You have made us into one family bonded by the blood of Christ. Let us each reach out to a fellow sister that we have not talked to in awhile and see how we can help their soul. For it is in your name we pray.

Amen.

With Love, 

"B"

Delighting in the Word

I've been studying the 119th Psalm and I kept looking at that word "delight" that runs through it. It all revolves around delighting in the word. 

So many phrases caught my attention.

I will delight myself in thy statutes... (vs. 16)

Thy testimonies also are my delight...(vs. 24)

...for therein do I delight. (vs. 35)

And I will delight myself in thy commandments... (vs. 47)

...but I delight in thy law. (vs. 70)

...for thy law is my delight. (vs. 77)

Unless thy law had been my delights. (vs. 92)

...yet thy commandments are my delights. (vs. 143)

...and thy law is my delight. (vs. 174)

I was going through that Psalm and marking all those "delights" with a highlighter and as I was doing that it struck me, well, how can I really "delight" in the Word? I mean, how do you do that?

I know highlighting the words and having all that yellow just jump out at me might help me to remember that it's important, but just how do I go about really "delighting" in the Word?

So I began reading and re-reading that Psalm and some things really struck me throughout it. There was all this advice just laid out for me. Don't you just love it when the Lord shows you something you need right there in front of you and it's been there all the time?

Long For It (Psalm 119:40,131)

I think when we really start longing for the Word that we will make time to read it every day or more than just once a day. 

Memorize it (Psalm 119: 11,52)

I don't think we are ever too old to memorize Scripture. God's Word can comfort us and help us deal with temptation. Bringing Bible verses that we've learned to our minds can help us through so many circumstances in our lives.

Learn it. (Psalm 119: 73, 125)

Studying the Word will help us to learn it. Look up verses. Compare passages n a subject. Use your concordance and really dig into the Word.

Trust it. (Psalm 119: 42, 89, 114)

There's nothing like trusting in the Word of God. It is something that we can cling to. 

Respect it. (Psalm 119: 128. 140,161)

If we are going to really start delighting in the Word, we have to respect what it is.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. - John 1:1,2.

Love it. (Psalm 119: 97, 159)

When you love somebody, you usually delight in them. It's not any different with the Word of God. If we love it, we are going to find delight in it.

Keep it. (Psalm 119: 4, 33, 106)

Keeping the Word is so important as a Christian. If we aren't following what the Word says, we can't be delighting in it very much. 

Rejoice in it. (Psalm 119: 162)

God's Word should be a joy to us. 

They words we found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16.

Live it. (Psalm 119: 5, 6)

Another outcome of delighting in the Word had to be living it. That verse in James 1:22 comes to mind. 

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

Share it. (Psalm 119: 27, 46, 172)

I think about how we share and talk about baseball teams, books, and even TV shows. We even may have to tell someone about a deal we got while out shopping. We excited about and have to tell our friends. 

I hope I get that excitement about sharing God's Word. Its' so much more important. I think  if we delight in it, sharing it has to be an outcome of that delight. 

We can't really even begin to delight in the Word unless we get it out and read it. Just pick a spot and start reading or enjoy a story of on of the Old Testament heroes. Maybe read through the writing of Paul in the New Testament. Start reading through a particular book or chapter. 

Use a daily Bible reading chart if it helps you. Just choose something and read the Word.

I challenge you to read this Psalm and really look at what it is saying. Maybe even read it out loud. You can just see the delight about the Word coming through. 

How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!- Psalm 119:103.

I would love to have a delight for the Word of God like that. I have read a lot of Scripture over the years, but after reading through this Psalm several times lately, I really question if I'm really delighting in the Word like I should be.

I think I'm going to maybe have to start making time to read more, memorize more, and really dig more.

So, are you delighting in the Word?

Let's pray:

Father God, 

We come to you to help us to spend more time in Your Word daily. To help us to delight in all that you have planned for us and to share this delight with others. Place it in our hearts to reach for Your Word on a daily basis, whether in our quiet time with you or with family Bible study time. Thank you for giving us the Book of life and helping us see that we should delight in You.

Amen

With Love, 

"B"

Under the Gift Wrap

I love pretty wrappings. There's something about making a present look beautiful and even sometimes fun too that makes the receiver excited about opening it. Of course it always boils down to what's inside that counts, but getting to that point of finding out what's inside sure is fun!

I love watching my family open their presents at Christmas. Sometimes they open them slowly and other times they dive right in and rip off the wrapping so quickly you almost miss watching them open the gift.

Watching my sons face and his reactions is one of those things we love as parents. Later on we usually know what gifts he likes the best by how much he gets it to play with it or use it.

I'm sure God is the same way when He looks down at us. He's given so much for us through the gift of His Son, Jesus. He knows when we appreciate His gifts too. He sees our thankful hearts or not so thankful hearts. He knows when we get out His Word and find all those things He's left for us or if we've left them under the tree. 

John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that He gave us His Son. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, we can have so much. 

Here are some things that we find under the tree just waiting for us to unwrap.

Unwrap the Gift of His Love.

Have you pulled off the wrapping of the love of Christ and accepted Him as your Savior? If you haven't that's the first step in unwrapping what God has given us.

I'm so grateful that Christ loved us so much that He wants to take us to Heaven to be with Him, but I love the fact that His love sustains us here on earth. Everyday I wake up I find the love of Christ.

The love of Christ is one of those gifts that we share with others too. Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

"And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." - Ephesians 3:19

Nothing can take that gift of love away from us either.

"Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. " - Romans 8:39

Unwrap the Gift of Grace

Another thing we can unwrap is the gift of grace. Through Christ we have access to that wonderful grace that's given to us. Not a gift we deserve but because of Christ we can have it. 

"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." -Romans 5:1,2

" But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. " -Romans 5:15

"That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:7

Unwrap the Gift of the Resurrection.

This is one of those gifts that it's worth getting excited about. Without the resurrection of Christ, we have nothing. 

"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."  

-1 Corinthians 15:17

When we unwrap this and dwell on it awhile and really think about how much it does for us as Christians, if makes you want to shout, jump up and down, or maybe even do a cartwheel or two!

" O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 15:56,57

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." -1 Peter 1:3

Unwrap the Gift of Inheritance

Because of Christ, we can become heirs to God. What a gift! To know that we are the children of God.

That passage in 1 Peter 1 goes on to say, 

" To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you" - 1 Peter 1:4

" The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." - Romans 8:16-17

Unwrap the Gift of His Word

When we rip off the wrapping paper and find the Word, it's one of those gifts that never runs out, never wears out, and never gets old. Don't you love that?

Everyday we can find new things in it just for us to give us strength, sharpen us, build us up, and even rebuke us, but it's something that the Lord knew we needed.

I hope the Lord doesn't find me throwing his gift of the Word down or never getting it out to use. It's a precious gift to us.

" Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, sing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Colossians 3:16

There's just so much that we are given through the gift of Christ. The ones I listed are just some of the things we gain with a life in Christ. It's like there's this big tree with the bottom piled high with gifts and all the branches bulging with gifts nestled in just for us. 

We have wonderful and precious promises, strength, the Holy Spirit, peace, joy, and on and on just because of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of Christ our lives become so full, so rich, so meaningful.

"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." -John 10:10

Most of  us don't leave our gifts unwrapped under the tree. We want to see what's inside.

Maybe we should spend more time in the Word and in prayer finding those things that the Lord would have for us. Perhaps we should spend more time saying, "thank you" for our gifts and appreciate them more.

I know that I need to work on this. I don't want to miss out on anything or forget to say "thank you".

So, have you unwrapped all of your presents?

Let's pray:

Father, 

We come to you with great thankfulness in the gift that you have given us. We thank you for sending your only son to us when the world most needed it. We are reminded that you continue to give us gifts through your written word. Bless those who already know of your gifts, bless those who are in need of your gifts, and give courage to those who must share your gift to others. 

Amen.

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas and remember why we celebrate this time of year. 

From our family to yours: Merry Christmas.

With Love,

"B"

Thank-Full

But I have all, and aboud: I am full.... Philippians 4:18

Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I was thinking about my blessings and everything that goes along with the holiday. Of course my mind couldn't help but wonder to a little turkey, dressing, and sweet potato casserole. How full you can feel when you indulge in such a big holiday meal, let alone adding a piece of pumpkin pie on top of it.

When we start dwelling on the Thanksgiving holiday, we sometimes think of all those list of things we are thankful for and we seem to think of them as separate items, but Thanksgiving is more than that. 

It's seeing how God works everything together until we are "full" of His blessings and of His care even through times when we don't seem to have everything we need (or want). It's at those times that we should be thankful too.

I've read through that fourth chapter of Philippians many many times but when I read through it recently, the word "full" really jumped out at me.

Paul is writing to the Philippians and expressing his thankfulness at their care for him and how God had supplied. You really do need to read the entire chapter to get things in perspective but look at what it says in Philippians 4:11,12.

Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 

I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where in all things I am instructed both to be FULL and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

Paul says, "both to be full and to be hungry:. He goes on to say in verses 18,19.

But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4;18,19.

It's wonderful the way that God supplies our needs. When I read through that chapter, I notice that Paul seems to be looking at the whole picture. He saw how God had worked through everything for him and how God would supply the need of those at Philippi.

I don't think Paul was just making a thankful list but he was really seeing how God had worked through this situation and on into that situation and so on. He surveyed the whole of how God had been working and supplying and Paul was "full."

I don't think there is anything wrong with writing out a list of things to be thankful for. I think that's great and sometimes we all need to do that just to reflect on how the Lord has blessed us but I think sometimes we forget to see the whole of how God supplied. 

I know personally I don't always think of those lean times or the times Paul was talking about when he said, "to suffer need". Not the things I put right up there at the top of my "thankful" list. I think especially at the Thanksgiving holiday, we put those things in the back of our minds, but that's how God takes care of us. He does it through everything.

Even in those times where we don't feel so blessed, the Lord is still there supplying our needs and working through our lives. When I think of it that way, it tends to make me even more grateful and thankful for all of the ways God supplies. 

So, how thank-full are you?

Let's pray:

Father God, 

As we come upon a day of Thanksgiving, let us not forget to thank you for each day that you provide for us on this earth. Let us remember that it is you who supplies and sustains us at all times. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

God Prepares You for Great Things

God puts dreams in our hearts and writes a destiny over our lives. And if we trust Him enough to take Him at His word, we will find ourselves on a journey toward the fulfillment of that dream. 

Unfortunately, the path that takes us to the promise is always wrought with thickets and thorns. Nothing worth having ever comes easy or without opposition. Storms will come, lions will roar, and our fears will be confronted. God allows the path to be difficult because He intends on refining us and preparing us for our place of promise. He is intent on extracting from us, that which our enemy would love to leverage against us. 

God loves us too much to promote us before we are ready.

And so, as we follow His lead, we will at different times, find ourselves in a valley-a valley of decision. Marriages die there. Dreams die there too. The flesh dies hard and unfortunately for many, they've opted to let their dream die before they'd ever allow their flesh to be confronted. 

We all have weak spots and areas of inconsistency in our character. Until we see Jesus face to face, we will need His guidance and correction. He wants to take us from strength to strength; from glory to glory. 

Ephesians 3:20 tells us that He wants to do abundantly above and beyond ALL that we could ever ask or think, but there's a clincher in this verse...it's according to His work within us. To the extent that He's allowed to work in us, will be the extent that He does great things through us. 

After pondering this idea a little more, I envisioned a valley of dry bones. Bones from marriages, relationships, and dreams abandoned because many people refused to die to themselves, to humble themselves, and to let God have His way in our lives. 

Don't let your dream die in the valley!

If you're in a season of refining, lean in. Trust the loving hand of your precious Savior and know that He will lead you to the other side. Refuse a sense of entitlement and don't demand to be understood. 

Instead, humble yourself and seek to understand what the Lord is doing around you. 

He will faithfully lead you and you will be strengthened as you go. 

On the other side of this refining time is a fresh perspective and new mercies. 

Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God; in due time you will be lifted up and honored before a watching world. 

Here's my question to you: Do you have a sense of how God is using your current circumstances to prepare you for a great calling?

Let's pray:

God, 

We come to you today to thank you for all that you have done and are doing for us. We ask that you make us aware of what you are doing in our lives to prepare us for the greatness that is coming. To help us to see that when we give all to you it is for the good. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen. 

With Love, 

"B"

God is Bigger and Stronger

We've all had days (and maybe even years) when life just doesn't seem to be going our way!

I've had long seasons of life where I felt like nothing was working and everything was out of whack, and I've had frustrating days where I just can't seem to get anything accomplished. We all go through these times, but if we recognize that God's power during these troubled times, we learn to that He is much bigger than what is going on!

In the grand scheme of things, a stressful morning doesn't impact life or eternity all that much, but in those longer seasons of joblessness, sickness, financial stress, marriage strain and other ongoing life events, the stress and frustration can seem overwhelming. Below are four things I've learned to remember in those challenging seasons of life that have helped me and I pray that they will help you as well!

1. Your character should always be stronger that your circumstances. 

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we choose to respond. In those moments when I choose to stop complaining and instead give thanks to God for the good in my life, the parts that seem bad start to seem much less significant. Choose to keep  a positive attitude and thankful heart regardless of what you're going through. 

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

2. Your struggles always lead to strength. 

Every difficulty in your life, whether big or small, is something God will use to produce more strength, faith and perseverance in you if you let Him! All your pain has a purpose. 

" And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28.

3. God's timing is always perfect.

God's plans are almost always different from our plans, but His plans are always perfect! Have the patience to wait on His timing instead of forcing your own. 

" For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord; plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." - Jeremiah 29:11.

4. God will never leave your side.

You may feel like you're going through this struggle all alone, but from the moment you ask Jesus to bring you into God's family, He will be by your side to the end so never lose hope!

" Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." - Deuteronomy 31:6.

Let's Pray:

Father God, 

We come to you in prayer of thankfulness for all that you do. We ask that you help us to remember that you are bigger and stronger than anything we will ever face. That you are facing it with us and not having us face it alone. Teach us to stop and lean on you in all situations not just in troubled times. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.

With Love, 

"B"