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Between The Rock and a hard place

Penned on March 16, 2012

I’ve been consumed lately by things that disturb me. I’ve been shaken–awakened–on many levels. I’ve been feeling out of sorts and wondering what in the world is going on.

I’m desperate for change. Longing for God to step in and open a door for my family that would change things for the better.

Then I had the thought this afternoon….I feel like I’m between a rock and a hard place.

two huge rocks © by burge5k

I’m between The Rock and a hard place.

God is the Rock of my salvation. Even though I don’t like this hard place I’m in right now, I know without a doubt I am standing on Christ, the solid Rock.

He is my strength. He is my hope. He is my salvation.

No matter what storm I must face or how rocky the road may be, I know as long as I stay on the straight and narrow, He will light the path before me.

Are you in a hard place right now?

Do you feel your faith is shaken by something that has happened? Are you struggling with believing God’s eyes are upon you? Have you allowed fear to grip your heart and consume your mind?

If you are in a hard place, plant your feet firmly on The Rock.

Because when you’re stuck between The Rock and a hard place, no matter how tight that squeeze becomes, He will never let you down. He is a sure and steady Rock.

Filed Under: Spirit, Walking by faith
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Sometimes, all you can do is stand.

Penned on March 12, 2012

standing on the promises of God
Original photograph CC Ryk Neeling

Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
{Ephesians 6:13, AMP}

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Walking with God

Penned on March 7, 2012

On January 22, 1989, at the tender age of twelve, I began walking with God. It was a Sunday night. I remember the overwhelming joy I felt in my heart when I knew His spirit filled my soul.

☮ ❤ ☺
Creative Commons License photo credit: Hunter W

I was raised in church. I grew up learning church-y stuff. Church-y words. Church-y ways.

But there was something burning deep within me that longed for something more. Something deeper.

I remember many nights as a teenager, sitting on my bed, asking God to speak to me through His word. I’d flip through pages in my Bible. Seeking. Searching.

As I aged, I began to mature spiritually. There was so much to learn. At times, I wanted so badly to hurry-up-and-grow-up-already. Because growing hurts. And let’s face it…who likes pain?

God has always has a plan.

When I encountered trials and temptations along the way, there were times I doubted that plan. There were many times I felt like I’d walked too far from His presence. And maybe He’d forgotten all about me. Turned His back on me.

Sometimes we have to keep walking. Even when we can’t see the way.

If I’ve learned anything, the one thing I constantly remind myself of frequently is that God is love. And His love is all-consuming. All-knowing. Unending.

He doesn’t love like we love. And we can’t even begin to imagine the depth of His love.

Even though there are times when I don’t feel Him, He’s always there. He never leaves.

I can’t live by feelings. I must live–and walk–by faith.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

{Luke 12:28}

Storms will rage. Winds will blow. Problems are inevitable.

But when I walk by faith, I will not break beneath the pressure. Because I am planted firmly on that Solid Rock, I will not be uprooted. Because God is with me.

If you’re feeling a bit weak today, be encouraged. God is with you. You might not feel Him, but He is there.

Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Cry out to Him for help. He will deliver.

Keep walking by faith.

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When God stays silent

Penned on March 6, 2012

I bowed my head. Discouragement burdened my heart.

Jesus, please speak to my heart. Help me hear. Guide me. Show me what to do.

But all was silent.

Sitting alone
Creative Commons License photo credit: vonderauvisuals

And I wondered if He was even listening.

I wondered if He still cared.

Had I slipped between His fingers and fallen from grace? Had I stepped out of His arms of mercy?

Was I lost, and I didn’t even know it?

This tactic of satan isn’t anything new. In fact, it’s probably one of the oldest tricks in the book. He’d love to make me question anything and everything I know and hold to be true. He’d love for me to begin to question God.

But I refuse.

The Word reassures me (Matthew 10:30). He knows me (John 10:1-19). He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). He loves me (Romans 8:38-39).

What to do when God stays silent.

Are you in that kind of rocky place right now, where you’ve prayed and prayed but it seems like God is ignoring you? Hold on. Help is on the way.

God’s timing isn’t the same as ours. He doesn’t move or work in human ways. His ways are higher than ours. In the meantime, here are some things to do when God is silent.

1. Walk by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). It’s easy to talk about walking by faith when everything is good. But when you feel like you’re struggling just to make it day-by-day, that is when faith kicks in. Keep praying, waiting, watching expectantly for God to move.

2. Give thanks. You cannot give thanks and remain sad. It isn’t possible. The more thanksgiving you offer to God, the better you’ll feel. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of all He’s done for us. Giving thanks is the best way to remember.

3. Pray. A lesson I’m still learning is take it all to Him. We can talk to friends and try to figure things out all day. But there are some things we’ll never understand (probably because it isn’t meant for us to). I can’t tell you how often I’ve messed things up doubly by talking about situations with everyone except Jesus. Instead, take it to the Master. He holds the answer. Best of all, He’s ready and waiting to listen.

Filed Under: Spirit, Walking by faith
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And the road gets scary

Penned on February 15, 2012

Lately, I’ve heard stories of acquaintances undergoing major surgery. Others battling cancer. Some fighting for their life.

Life is fleeting and the road gets scary sometimes.

catseyes on the A3
Creative Commons License photo credit: MrB-MMX

It’s easy to forget that we aren’t promised a certain number of years. Days. Breaths.

So we must learn to make the most of each moment we are given.

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

1 Corinthians 15:50-56, NKJV

Because how can we be sure this very moment we are in won’t be our last?

When the road gets scary, there is one truth you can always hold on to: Jesus never fails.

 I’m not trying to sound morbid today. But God is whispering to my heart that time is short. His coming is soon.

I want to be ready when that great trumpet sounds.

Life gets really ugly sometimes. People disappoint us. We lose our way. But there is One constant through all the turmoil in this life we can forever count on.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Hebrews 13:8, KJV

Yes, the road gets scary. And sometimes it feels like we’re all alone. So if you’re struggling today, I want to give you this gentle reminder: Jesus never fails.

  • If you’re road-weary, lay your burden on Him. (Matthew 11:28)
  • If you feel all alone, know that He is there. (Hebrews 13:5)
  • If you think you’re too far gone and that there’s no hope or help for you any longer, He can make you whole. (Isaiah 53:5)
Filed Under: Life, Walking by faith
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Made for so much more

Penned on January 24, 2012

I turn on the radio. Mandisa‘s voice floats through the air waves, reminding me to stop waiting for tomorrow. Her lyrics remind me once again that the grace He’s given me cannot be wasted.

The Glory of a Florida Sunset
Creative Commons License photo credit: Morrow Cove

I can’t control what others do.

I can’t control what others say.

Sometimes life is ugly.

But there is beauty in the mess.

Fear will not control me.

Grace saves me.

I am free.

So I won’t wait for tomorrow to claim my victory. I won’t procrastinate grasping and clinging to His marvelous grace.

Because I was made for so much more than this.

I’m walking by faith.

Today.

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God is still God

Penned on August 27, 2011

I had a little moment of panic yesterday. An email alerted me that something I’d been counting on (school related) could possibly not go as expected.

My first thought: Great. I should have known this would happen. Just about my luck.

I zipped an email to my best friend, asking her to help me pray about this situation. She replied in brief, with two simple sentences that immediately shifted my perspective:

“Have faith. Nothing is too difficult for God.”

Nothing. Shall. Be. Impossible.

Believe in miracles
{Photo credit}

If I believe.

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” {Mark 9:23, NIV}

See, no matter how big or small I think my issue is, God is still God. He knows all. Can do all. If only I believe.

Believing doesn’t come easy for me, though. I can totally relate to the daddy who sought Jesus to heal his son of the spirit that seized him. He obviously believed Jesus could heal his little boy, or he wouldn’t have pressed so hard to go straight to Jesus. But at the moment when he reached the Master, unbelief must have crept into his heart.

“Lord, I believe,” he cried, “but help my unbelief!”

I often send up the same prayer. Help the parts of me that don’t believe.

I want to believe. Doubt not. I want to have the kind of faith that makes me stand up and speak to my mountain and say, “Be moved!” and then watch it move.

Because no matter whether I believe or not, God is still God.

What are you having trouble believing God for right now? 

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Filed Under: Spirit