Called to Remember God’s Promises

I don't know what your days look like right now. Perhaps life feels like it's out of control and you're praying for the strength to see your way through. Or maybe, everything is calm right now and you're thankful for the time to catch your breath. 

Whether you're struggling and worn out, relaxed and feeling good, or anywhere in between, God's Word is full of life-giving promises to us. {Tweet this}

Here are a few I'm reminding myself of. Maybe you can use a reminder as well.

We are called to remember God's promises...

You are His.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.  O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 NLT

Nothing is impossible for God.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26 NIV

His love for you is endless.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT

He calls us to life.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12 NLT

God forgives.

No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34 NIV

He sees us differently than the world does.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

He walks with us.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

God can be trusted.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT

God changes lives.

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:6 NLT

He is our hope and our strength.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31 NIV

He is our peace.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Pray

I recently made a commitment to pray for someone in the morning and at bedtime. This wasn't a new commitment, but a more intentional one. However, it didn't take long before my plan felt like one more thing I had to do.

To be honest, I’m long past frustrated with the situation we've been in and that our prayers have not been answered. I know He's at work and that His way and timing are best, but I've grown weary in the wait. Maybe you can relate?

Last week as I got ready for bed, I wanted to skip praying that night. I thought, why bother?

But immediately I wondered, what if a breakthrough is right around the corner?

I'm not in any way suggesting that God's work is dependent on my prayers. But I know that when I stop praying it opens the door to drifting away from Him.

My prayers for someone else aren't just for that person, they are for me too.

Prayer keeps me close to the One whose love and power are unlimited. No matter what I can or can't see, nothing is impossible for God. {Tweet this}

Prayer gives me strength to face tomorrow. It gives me the ability to see His work, even especially when it's not what I've been asking for.

Prayer allows me to stand in the gap for someone who is struggling the way others have stood in the gap for me.

Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.
Ephesians 6:18 CEV

God calls us to pray because it keeps us close to Him and focused on Him. {Tweet this}

The enemy hates that. He knows he cannot stand in Jesus' presence so he'll watch for the moment he can slither in before we even know what happened.

I'm tired of praying and seeing no change, but praying enables me to keep hoping. And without hope, what is there?

Yes, my frustration grows on some days, but so does my praise and thankfulness because I know He's here and my impatience doesn't cause Him to turn away.

Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.
Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Peace. In the midst of difficulty. Only through faith in Jesus.

Lord, I know You can. I don't understand why You haven't. But I know that doesn't mean You won't. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Be Enough

  

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my One Word for 2017—Called—and my questioning if I did enough with it throughout the year. The day after I clicked “publish” on that post, I was still thinking about it.

As I opened my journal that Monday morning, I reread my latest entries. Two words filled the pages—Called and Enough. It’s no wonder since many of my posts start in my journal and that’s what I’d been thinking about. But the word Enough started to stand out.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve been reading Come With Me by Suzie Eller and had just finished a chapter about being enough. And it was then I felt my word for 2018 become clear.

Enough.

I don’t always feel like I do enough, understand enough, or try hard enough. I don’t always feel like I am enough. Maybe you can relate.

But, as I’ve been reading and thinking about it, I know…

My little is enough when I give it to God. (He makes it more than enough.)

My small steps are enough when I’m following Jesus. (He waits for me.)

My writing is enough when I offer it to God. (He will make it more than enough to reach others, if He chooses.)

When I give Him all I have, no matter how little, He makes it more than enough.

When I’m obedient to what He asks, my not enough is more than enough. {Tweet this}

As I explore being enough in 2018 I’m not quite ready to let go of being called, so I’m going to continue my Called… series.

After all, being called by God isn’t a one-year commitment. It’s a life-time adventure with Him. {Tweet this} Each year becomes a stepping stone to learning, understanding, and becoming so much more.

We are enough—just as He created us. And He calls each of us personally by name.

In Christ,

Laura

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Called…Did I Do Enough?

I've been asking God what my One Word for 2018 will be, but haven't heard an answer yet. Sometimes I don't feel a word impressed upon me until close to New Year's, so I'm not worried.

The truth is, I don't want to my year with the word Called to end yet. I don't want to start thinking about my next word and waste my last few days of being Called.

But as I think about this past year, I wonder if I've done enough.

When I first settled on the word Called at the end of last year, I felt moved by how God called Moses by name. And by how He calls us by name.

I was excited. I dreamed of plans I would make and things I would accomplish.

But instead, I started projects I didn't finish. If I dwell on it too long, I feel discouraged and disappointed.

I feel like I haven't done enough in my year of being called. And then I realized maybe God wasn't calling me to what I was dreaming. At least not in 2017.

Instead, He called me to a year deeper and harder than I could have imagined, and I'm glad He didn't share those details with me in January.

If I had known, I might have tried to prepare myself. But not knowing left me no choice but to depend on Him every. single. day.

I still felt Him calling me, but I was constantly unsure of where we were going or what was coming next.

Not knowing can be unsettling, but at the same time, it's where I learn the most.

It's where I learn to listen for Him, and to discern between what He's moving me to or what I'm trying to make happen.

It's where I learn that just because I don't understand the how, why or when doesn't mean He's not at work in places I can't see. {Tweet this}

It's where I learn to wait and be still, and then to move when He says move.

It's where I learn that there is beauty in the valley, and to see His blessings in the midst of difficulties.

Unfulfilled plans on my part, does not mean I've wasted the year. It just means that God had different plans, and His plans happen in His time.

If my dreams and plans fit into His big picture, then they will happen, no matter what year it is, or what my One Word is. In the meantime, I'm growing and learning with Him.

Being called by God is not a one-year commitment, but a life-long opportunity, no matter what my days look like. {Tweet this}

From my family to yours,

Merry Christmas!

In Christ,

Laura 

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Called to Wait

I don’t know anyone who particularly likes to wait. Waiting in line, waiting for a delivery, waiting for a repair person to arrive, waiting on our children and spouses…waiting can be tedious.

And waiting can be hard.

Especially when we’re waiting on God.

When we wait on God, we don’t know His timing, what the future will look like, or if our days will go the way we want them to.

We don’t get to see the full picture of our lives like God does. And yet, He tells us to wait and trust Him.

It’s not easy because waiting can feel like a waste of time. There’s a sense of loneliness as we watch others move ahead and we’re stuck behind…waiting.

But we are not left alone. As we wait, God promises to be with us. And God always keeps His promises. {Tweet this}

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Which means God with us.)

Isaiah 7:14 NIV

His very name is God with us. It’s Who He is.

God promised us a Savior and He kept His promise.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

He is Immanuel. God with us.

While we wait and let God work, He does not walk away and He doesn’t leave us. Instead, He draws us close to Him and helps us wait.

He makes hope possible when we see no reason for hope.

He fills our hearts with joy that we can’t explain and won’t find anywhere else.

He renews our strength and energy when we have nothing left inside of us.

He gives us the ability to see His blessings in the midst of difficulties, and He brings peace to our lives where peace doesn’t make sense.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

That’s God—helping us wait on Him.

Waiting can make us feel like we’re not doing anything, but we are doing something. We’re leaning in to Him, learning to trust Him on a deeper level.

Waiting is hard, but it is not time wasted.

Without waiting, we would miss out on the way He draws us close to Him and works in us to change our hearts.

Without waiting and trusting Him, we wouldn’t experience hope when we feel hopeless, joy in the midst of unhappiness, and peace that we can’t explain. {Tweet this}

Not through anything we can do ourselves, but all because of Him.

Immanuel—God with us.

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Be Courageous

A few weeks ago, I did something I’d been putting off for quite a while. I added a speaker page to my blog. I know, for some, this might not be a big deal, but for me, it was. Finally doing this meant moving forward through the fear, and finding courage to put myself out there where others could see and judge.

As I thought about courageous people in the Bible, I reread the verses calling Joshua to be courageous in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. (Joshua 1) But, that’s not who I kept thinking about. Instead, I kept thinking about a woman who had the courage to go to Jesus.

In the Book of Mark, chapter 5, Jesus is on His way to visit a little girl who is dying. As He walked with the girl’s father, the disciples, and the crowd of people following Him, He suddenly stopped to talk to one woman. A courageous woman whose faith was stronger than her fear.

A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Mark 5:25-28

This woman, who would have been viewed as ceremonially unclean for so many years, made the choice to go to Jesus, despite her fear and uncertainty. She took a faith-filled risk, even though she would be seen and judged. {Tweet this}

And her courage was rewarded.

Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”

Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:29-30, 33-34

By faith, she had the courage to fight through the crowd and touch Jesus’ robe, and then, confess to Him what she had done.

That’s courage, friends. Raw, honest and inspiring, faith-filled courage.

Where do you need to find courage today? {Tweet this}

Maybe it’s the courage to keep trying when you feel like giving up.

The courage to step out in faith despite the fear holding you back.

The courage to keep hoping when you’re knee-deep in disappointment.

Perhaps it’s the courage we all need— the courage to reach out and touch Jesus’ robe because our faith is stronger than our fear.

Courage that says we can walk through anything because our trust and confidence is in the One who will never leave us.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

May we all be courageous women who walk in faith, regardless of all that tries to work against us.

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Rest

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14 NIV

Words have been slow here lately. I have plenty filling my journal pages…but words to share with you? Not so much.

I’ve been feeling for a while that perhaps God is calling me into a season of rest, although it’s taken me time to accept it. I question first if I’m just tired (which I am) or being lazy (it’s possible), but really, I’m worn out. From everything.

Emotional and mental fatigue takes its toll, bringing with it physical fatigue. And as you probably know, it’s hard to fight all three at once. So, I’ve stopped pushing back and I’m trying to rest as I feel God encouraging me to do.

Maybe you find yourself in the same place. Today I’m sharing a few things I’ve been doing to encourage myself during this time of rest.

4 Things We Can Do as We’re Called to Rest {Tweet this}

Spend time with God.

Start the day with Scripture—even if it’s just one verse. God knows what we need for the moment, and often, that one verse has stayed with me throughout the day.

Choose a daily devotional book to read with your morning coffee. It doesn’t have to be an in-depth Bible study, especially if you’re feeling too tired to think. But, a few minutes spent alone with God does wonders. In fact, it may be those few minutes that get you through the rest of the day.

I’ve started reading Coffee for Your Heart by Holley Gerth (previously published as God’s Heart for You.) If you’ve read any of Holley’s books, you know the soothing encouragement her words offer. Coffee for Your Heart reminds us of how God sees us, in 40 easy-to-read devotions, with prayer and personal reflection.

I’m also reading Soul H2O: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women by Sherry Stahl. I love the title—because it reminds me of how dehydrated I feel, and it’s also easy to read, with prayer and personal reflection.

Accept it.

Take advantage of the rest God is guiding you to. If He’s encouraging it, He knows we need it. (Usually long before we realize it ourselves.) {Tweet this}

Give yourself permission to do what you have to do and let the rest slide for a while. That means prioritizing the to-do list, and adding to it time for yourself.

Be present in the moment. Stressing about what you think you should be doing and/or worrying about tomorrow defeats the purpose of resting today. (Which, for me, leads to more stress.)

Do something you enjoy.

I’ve been reading more Christian fiction and mysteries this year. It’s the best way to get my mind to relax, and diving into a story I don’t have to think too much about is a nice escape from what’s going on around me.

Other mental getaways: take a walk, journal, listen to Christian music, bake, visit with friends…you get the idea. Find something you enjoy doing and give yourself permission to spend your time there. {Tweet this}

Get offline.

When I’m already exhausted, the online world can be too much for me. Whether it’s the news or anything on social media, the more I let in, the more it’s able to affect me in negative ways.

It’s also harder to not compare my life to the perfect-looking pictures I see on Facebook. So, before it draws me in, I have to limit my time there.

Less time spent online also makes it easier to be present in the moment. No matter how enjoyable my day is, comparison can ruin it within seconds. I have to remind myself that one picture doesn’t tell someone else’s whole story.

Rest—peace of mind or spirit, freedom from activity or labor, to take relief or respite.

Rest isn’t just physical, it’s also emotional and mental. It’s a necessary part of feeling rejuvenated and renewed. Feeling rested comes from letting our bodies and minds relax, as often as we need and for as long as it takes, regardless of all life throws at us. (I’m still working this.)

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 NLT

What would you add to this list?

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Praise

  

I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 145:2 NLT

Several years ago, my word for the year was Praise. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled about the word when the year started. Praise felt like a really big word for when really big things happened—which wasn’t every day. So, what was I supposed to do with the word the rest of the year?

What I learned first is that Praise isn’t supposed to be saved for only the really big events or even what is visible to others.

Praise is meant for every day—the little, the ordinary, and what others might not be able to see.
{Tweet this}

Praise is when we honor God by acknowledging Him in everything we do. It’s looking for Him and His work, no matter if it’s a good day or a rotten day. Praise is thanking God in all situations, even when we don’t feel thankful.

Praise when I don’t feel thankful? Yes, because sometimes we have to practice giving praise before it feels natural.

For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke.

Psalm 66:17 NLT

Our human nature doesn’t lead us to feel thankful when we’re walking in the valley, but that’s precisely when God can do His best work in us. The hard work of changing our hearts and bringing us closer to Him. And creating a desire in us to want to be closer to Him.

The next thing I learned about Praise is that it’s not just for after something happens.

Praise is also meant to be given before we see His work.

How do I know what to praise Him for if it hasn’t happened yet? Because God is always at work, even when we can’t see it or imagine what He might be working on.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.

Psalm 103:2 NLT

Praise Him for being who He is—our God and Savior who doesn’t change on a whim. He doesn’t change the rules. And His love for us doesn’t change because He’s having a bad day.

Praise Him because no matter what we’re going through, we can be sure He’s walking beside us. He leads the way before us and watches over us. Sometimes He stays quiet, but we can trust that He’s there.

In those times I desperately need to feel His presence, I ask Him to let me see Him. And then I look for Him even in the slightest way. It might be in new flower buds, the lyrics of a song, an unexpected phone call or text from a friend, or in the way my day turns around through no power of my own.

My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!

Psalm 57:7 NLT

That year, I learned to praise God for His presence, for His love and compassion, and because no matter what I regret doing today, tomorrow is a brand new start.

Praise Him because when we look for Him, we will see Him. And the more we see Him, the more we will look for Him.
{Tweet this}

In Christ,

Laura

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Called to Trust

I’ve been thinking a lot about trust and waiting on God…about how His answers to prayers often come in ways I didn’t expect or ask for, and how sometimes He answers long after the time frame I’ve requested.

When I’m in one of life’s valleys, I have to cling to my faith and trust in God. I have to hold tight to what I know to be true. 

God hears me. He sees me. He is with me. And He is carrying me through the trials when I can’t even see the next step to take.

 The Lord has heard my plea;

The Lord will answer my prayer.

Psalm 6:9 NLT

In God’s perfect timing, I opened my Bible to this verse today. It’s what I’ve been reminding myself of over and over lately.

I need to praise God first, before I can see answers to my prayers, because I know that He is at work.

The solutions I think of may not be how God answers my prayers. I have to ask myself—will I only see His hand if it’s in the way I’m looking for? Or will I let go of my ideas and wait to see God’s plan unfold?

While I’m waiting, God is still with me. He strengthens me when I’m at my weakest. He guides me when I can’t see straight. He reminds me that He is at work when I start to panic. Again.

Trusting God isn’t easy. Trust develops over time. As I walk through the desert, I learn to lean on Him more and to look for His presence every day. When the desert stretches on for what seems like way to long, my trust in Him grows stronger. It grows deeper and keeps me grounded.

Trusting God with my heart, soul, and mind gives me strength and peace that does not come from myself. {Tweet this} He calms my fears in ways I can’t achieve on my own.

Faith and trust in God doesn’t mean smooth sailing through life. It means I don’t have to try to navigate on my own. It means I don’t have to have it all figured out. And it means it’s okay when my plans don’t work out, because I realized it was better to go with whatever God has planned.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2 NLT

God’s promise to you and to me…He will be with us. No matter what we walk though. No matter what we’ve done.

When we believe God’s promises are for us, we know the Truth we can depend on. Truth that stands the test of time. {Tweet this}

In Christ,

Laura 

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Called to Peace

Peace. It feels unobtainable at times, doesn’t it?

We long to see peace in the world. And lately, even in our own country.

We want peace between each other, and at times we have it. Days when there is no active tension or quarrels. But, even that can be fleeting.

On a deeply personal level, we want to feel at peace. Peace within ourselves is a different definition than peace between people and countries.

Peace—freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. (Merriam-Webster.com)

Peace within means there’s no personal conflict. It means freedom from worry, negative feelings, emotions out of control, and obsessing over things we should have done better or differently.

Peace within feels like a sigh of relief. Relief from the heavy weight we pick up in the morning and carry around until bedtime. Relief from the heaviness that keeps us tossing and turning all night.

I want that sigh-of-relief-peace, don’t you?

We search for it. Strive for it. And grasp at it. But on our own, our striving gets us nowhere. Why, when we try so hard, is peace unattainable?

Because that at-ease, everything-will-be-okay peace doesn’t come by our own hand. It comes from the One who promised us peace in an unpeaceful world. {Tweet this}

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.

John 14:26-27 NLT

Yes, that peace.

The peace we find when we focus on the One—Jesus—who promised us peace. The One who always keeps His promises.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

Fix—to hold or direct steadily; to make firm, stable, or stationary (Merriam-Webster.com)

…all whose thoughts are fixed on you

Thoughts held firm, without wavering. Minds focused on Jesus while the world moves around us.

That’s how we find peace within…when our eyes are focused, and our thoughts are fixed, on Jesus. The One who is unshakeable in a constantly shaking world. {Tweet this}

And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.

Philippians 4:7 The Voice

God’s peace guarding our hearts and minds. Sigh.

Have a peaceful day!

In Christ,

Laura  

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