God is Bigger

Last week I kept mentally repeating a sentence to myself.

God is bigger than this.

It wasn't a particularly hard week, but still it kept running through my mind. Perhaps it was just a reminder that no matter what I'm dealing with, it's no match for God.

God is bigger than whatever problems I'm facing. {Tweet this}

He's greater than the worry I keep trying to give to Him and the emotions that often get the best of me.

He's stronger than any strength I can muster up.

He's more powerful than anything I can plan and accomplish on my own.

It reminds me that my perspective is limited, but God's is not. I can only see what's around me, but God sees it all.

He knows our yesterdays, our todays, and our tomorrows, and there is nothing He can't accomplish if it's in His will to do so. {Tweet this}

No matter what you're facing today, might you pray this Scripture verse with me?

We confess—there is nothing greater than You, God, nothing mightier than Your awesome works. I will tell of Your greatness as long as I have breath.
Psalm 145:6 Voice

We confess all that is in us and praise Him for who He is.

We sit in His presence, rest in His assurance, and wait for His plans to unfold before us.

And all the while, we bask in His love, His grace, mercy, and peace that we'll find nowhere else.

God is indeed bigger than this.

In Christ,

Laura 

[Photo credit: Unsplash.com]

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Purposeful Faith, #TeaAndWord, Trekking Thru, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #porchstories, #RechargeWednesday, Sitting Among Friends, EncouragingWord Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, #ChasingCommunity, Moments of Hope, #gracemoments, #DestinationInspiration, #FaithonFire, Faith ‘n Friends, Grace & Truth, #FreshMarketFriday

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

[Photo credit: Aaron Burden/Unsplash]

Linking up with: Moments of Hope, #DreamTogether, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, #RechargeWednesday, #porchstories, #ChasingCommunity, #HeartEncouragement, Salt & Light, #GraceMoments, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, #FaithonFire

6 Verses to Start Your Day

How we start our day makes a difference—in how we feel, in our attitudes, and in general, how the day will progress. Today, I’m sharing six Scripture verses that make a difference in my morning. {Tweet this}

6 Scripture Verses to Start Your Day

Psalm 92:1-2 NLT

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening….

Praising God first—before we’ve seen what He will do, takes practice until it feels natural. Not sure how to do this?

*Start with praising God each morning for His love, with an openness to wherever He might lead you during the day.

*Praise Him throughout the day for the beauty you see around you.

*At the end of the day, reflect back. Thank and praise Him for His closeness throughout the day, His work and beauty you saw around you, and for His promise to continue to be with you through the night and into the next day.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

No matter what happened yesterday, last week, or what might happen today, God’s love and compassion for us will never run out. No matter what comes our way and how crushing it feels, we can trust Him to help us through it.

Philippians 4:13 CEV

Christ gives me the strength to face anything.

I usually read this verse in other translations that read, “I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.” (NLT) But I like the slight difference in how the CEV reads…the strength to face anything. Before I have to do anything (even getting up in the morning), I know that whatever comes that day, I can face it or approach it—because Christ gives me the strength and ability to do so. {Tweet this}

Isaiah 26:3 NLT

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

Where our thoughts go, our hearts and emotions will follow. When we focus on all that could happen in the world, our thoughts go to frightening scenarios, most of which are not our current reality. But, when we focus on Jesus, we will find peace through Him—peace we can’t find anywhere else. Even when life throws us a curve ball, we can experience peace because we have fixed our eyes and minds on Him.

Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Some mornings I just don’t even want to get out of bed or face the day, especially when I think of doing it alone. But, we are not alone. God not only walks beside us in everything we have to go through, but He personally walks ahead and plans the way. There is nothing we go through that He is unaware of. Where we see no purpose in what we’re walking through, God knows. He knows what’s ahead of us and around the corner, and promises us we don’t have to be afraid…because He won’t leave us.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

“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.”

All we can see is what we’re facing and what surrounds us, and some days, it looks pretty bleak. But, that doesn’t mean it will always be like that. God knows His plans for us long before He reveals them to us. He knew Jesus would walk this earth long before His people saw it happen. No matter what we see today, God’s plans are full of Hope—hope for today, hope for tomorrow, and hope for our future. Because of Jesus, there is always Hope. {Tweet this}

What Scripture verses help you begin or walk through your day?

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with: #DreamTogether, Moments of Hope, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Writer Wednesday, #glimpsesofHisbeauty, Recharge Wednesday, #ChasingCommunity, Faith on Fire, Porch Stories, Grace Moments, Faith 'n Friends, #FreshMarketFriday, Grace & Truth

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  

[Photo credit: Pixabay.com]

Linking up with: Coffee for Your Heart, Grace Moments, Writer Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, Thought Provoking Thursday, #ChasingCommunity, Faith 'n Friends, Grace & Truth, #FreshMarketFriday

God’s Gift of No

Think of a child who asks her parent for something…and the answer is no. Rarely is that the end of the conversation. The child wants to know why? Why is the answer no?

I think of this because I know I’m often that child when God answers no. But why God? I don’t understand. Why can’t I have that? (Because, in my mind, it seems so perfect.) But like the parent who knows what’s best for her daughter, God knows what’s best for me.

Even as an adult, “no” isn’t what I want to hear when my sights are set on one particular thing. I justify it. I explain it. I might even whine a little. Maybe God will change His mind.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been looking at God’s answer of no a little differently. I know I’m in a season of life that won’t last forever. 

Maybe God’s no to one thing is so that I can focus on where I am right now. So I can be fully present where I’m needed today. So I don’t miss out on this season that will one day be over.

It wasn’t easy to reach this point of acceptance. Some days, I take a few steps back and ask why again. And God gently reminds me to be here today.

With acceptance comes peace. Peace with the season I’m in. That doesn’t mean the struggles aren’t real. They are, and some days are like walking into a squall. They can be brutal. But acceptance calms my desires for what isn’t mine to have right now.

Acceptance doesn’t mean I stop trying. It doesn’t mean not moving forward. 

Acceptance of the season I’m in means I can see the gift of today. 

Despite the most difficult moments, today won’t last forever. God’s gift is the peace to see that.

Maybe God’s no is really a gift of right now because tomorrow I will regret missing today. It’s too easy to be so focused on what I want that I can’t see what I have.

God’s no right now might only be for this season. Like a child hears, “Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up,” I’m hearing, “Don’t be in such a hurry to rush through to the next season. There’s too much to miss today.”

I don’t know what the future holds, but God does. Whether the future is tomorrow or years from now, God knows what He has planned. I don’t want to look back at yesterday and regret what I missed because I was whining about tomorrow. 

With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow. Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Are you in a season where God’s no is a gift?

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with #livefreeThursday, Grace & Truth, Faith 'n Friends, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace, #TellHisStory, #RaRaLinkup, #SmallWonder, Coffee for Your Heart, #TheLoft

Dwell Here with Me

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Dwell

Dear Child,

Come. Dwell here with me.

You can stay as long as you like, which I hope will be forever.

You don't have to explain why you're here or what's troubling you. I already know. But I'm here with you, and no one listens or understands better than I do. So, talk to Me when you are ready.

Rest here with Me. Let Me strengthen you and give you peace—peace you won't find anywhere or in anything else.

Love,

Jesus

  

Photo credit: FreeImages.com

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, Weekend Whispers, Sharing His Beauty

Find Him

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Find

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV

But if from there...

From my lousy day, from my sinful behavior, from where I've wandered from God and gotten lost.

...you seek the Lord your God,...

Because we've never strayed so far that we can't cry out to Him.

...you will find Him...

And He promises that He will never abandon us.

...if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

I wonder...do I? Do I look for God with all of my heart and soul? On those days when I can't feel His presence, could it be because I'm not totally focused on Him? Not with all of my heart and soul?

Lord, You know my days are scattered and hectic. I struggle to quiet my mind and settle my soul, and when I search for You, I confess it's in the midst of my to-do list. Father, please calm my spirit and help me to focus solely on You, so that I can truly seek You with all of my heart and soul. And when I do, I know that I will find You.

***

Congratulations to the winner of the signed copy of Fulfilled by Danise Jurado and the Fulfilled bag…­­­Angie!

***

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, Grace & Truth, Weekend Whispers, Give Me Grace

Let Go – A Conversation with God

Me: That's it God. I give up.

God: Good, I've been waiting.

Me: You're going to have to help me.

God: I've been trying to.

Me: What do You mean? I feel like I've been doing it all myself.

God: You have...I've been waiting for you to let go so I could help you. But you have a very strong grip on this.

Me: If I don't take control of it, no one else will.

God: I will.

Me: No, I mean other people.

God: You don't need other people for this. You need Me.

Me: I can't do it all myself.

God: You don't have to. You can give it to me.

Me: Can't You just take it?

God: Not if you won’t let go of it.

Me: It's hard.

God: I know. Trust Me.

Me: I'm scared.

God: I know. I'm here.

Me: Will You stay with me?

God: I will. Are you ready to let go?

Me: (deep breath) I'm ready.

God: (silence)

Me: God?!? Are you still here?

God: I AM.

Whatever you might be struggling with today, God is waiting to help you with it...if you're ready to let go.

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Stock photo: Alone by lake

Linking up with #TellHisStory, Sharing His Beauty, Give Me Grace, Playdates with God, #SmallWonder, Coffee for Your Heart, Grace & Truth, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday, Blessing Counters, The Weekend Brew, Faith 'N Friends

Clinging to Scripture

"What Scripture verse are you clinging to?"

Years ago, a friend asked me this. At the time, I was dealing with some issues, and in a rare moment of vulnerability, I shared with her what I was struggling with.

"What verse is getting you through this?" she asked.

Although I'd never thought of it this way before, I knew immediately which verse I'd been clinging to for dear life.

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

In it, I'd found the comfort and strength I desperately needed.

Over the years, I've gone back to that same question—often reminding myself and sometimes asking others...

To continue reading, please join me at 5 Minutes for Faith...

Where in God's Word are you finding what you need to get through your current struggle?

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: K. Rath 2015

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Coffee for Your Heart, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday

Do Not Be Overwhelmed

I couldn't sleep the other night. I tried moving to a different room and reading for a while, but, it didn't work.

Although I was tired, every time my head touched the pillow, my mind went into overdrive, which then, of course, led to worry.

I fought back with any parts of Scripture I could think of...Do not be afraid...Do not be discouraged...and finally fell asleep for a few hours before having to get up again.

By that next afternoon, I was feeling overwhelmed. Everywhere I turned, something else was coming at me, resulting in another phone call to make, e-mail to respond to, more forms to fill out, errands to run, and red tape to cut though. It all added to my middle-of-the-night concerns.

Do not be afraid...

Do not be discouraged...

I needed to find where Scripture says Do not be overwhelmed. I mean, it has to, right? God knows how easily I can get overthrown and pulled under.

So, I started searching His Word for wisdom and comfort. And here's what I found...

Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles. Psalm 55:1-2 NLT

A reminder that I’m not the first to cry out for help when I’m totally overwhelmed…and I won’t be the last.

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Isaiah 43:1-3a ESV

And there it was. The comfort and strength I was looking for. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Not only did I find His promises, but I found a distraction.

Once I turned to Scripture, I was no longer focused on how I was feeling. I was completely absorbed in finding what I knew God would provide in His Word.

When I looked for Him, He was there—just as He said He would be.

This time, I remembered to seek God right away and not wait, thinking I could handle it. How about you—is He where you go first, or as a last resort?

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Blessing Counters, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, The Weekend Brew, Faith Filled Friday, Faith 'N Friends, Coffee for Your Heart, Recommendation Saturday, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace, Grace & Truth, Sharing His Beauty, #SmallWonder, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory

When You Can’t See What Change Will Look Like

Change has been going on around me lately, and it’s been hard to see what it will look like when the dust settles. It’s not change of my making, so there is uncertainty of how it will affect me, as well as others.

Maybe you’re there too…waiting to see what the upcoming days will look like…standing by until everything settles down and a new normal begins…fighting the feeling of not being able to control anything.

…a new boss.

…a job transfer away from family and friends.

…layoffs and unemployment.

…the diagnosis and future check-ups.

…separation and divorce.

Change, whether personal or work-related, is unsettling. It creates questions that can’t be answered right away. It puts us in wait-and-see mode.

I don’t particularly like wait-and-see because it gives me time to imagine different scenarios, which cause me to worry and grow negative. It gives me time to get stressed out before anything has actually happened.

That’s how I started waiting. It was easy to grumble because others were grumbling with me. And when I was alone, I stewed. I complained under my breath, and to God.

And then I realized a couple of things. One, I didn’t like what it was doing to me. Frankly, I have enough to deal with this year without adding something else that hasn’t even happened yet.

Second, and more importantly, I realized that if this change is something which God has brought about, who am I to question it?  

I knew I needed a change of heart and attitude—and it wasn’t something I could just convince myself of. 

I needed God to change my heart and my attitude.

I laid it before Him and I prayed. Then, because I tend to take things back, I gave it to Him again and kept praying.

And I felt something start to change. I started to relax.

Nothing in the situation had changed yet. The unsettled dust was still thick and impossible to see through, and I was still in wait-and-see mode with others.

But God was there. I had invited Him in and He was at work—starting with me.

I stopped worrying and started wondering if the what-ifs would be positive instead negative.

I kept Romans 8:28 in front of me…

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28 NLT

And I reminded myself of the times I’ve seen God bring something good from a situation that seemed bad—especially things that have happened this year and how they worked together. I couldn’t see it at the time, but in hindsight, the pieces fit together perfectly…as only God’s plans can.

I felt God changing my attitude. I was seeing things from a positive perspective…both in the situation, and in my growth with Him.

And I felt God changing my heart. I know that not all change is what I would like to see happen, but I know I can trust Him. If the change that comes about is not in my favor, then God has something different planned for me. Something He hasn’t shown me yet.

And where that normally brings fear, I felt peace and comfort.

Have you gone through a time when you knew change was coming, but you couldn’t see what it would look like? How did you walk through it, and did you feel God walking along side of you?

In Christ,

Laura 

Photo credit: K. Rath, Oct. 2014

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Give Me Grace, #TellHisStory, Coffee for Your Heart, Everyday Jesus, Winsome Wednesday, Thought Provoking Thursday, WholeHearted Wednesday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday

When the Waiting Gets to Be Too Hard

I remember as a child waiting in anticipation for my birthday or for Christmas to arrive. Time moved slowly and the waiting dragged on forever.

As an adult, that time moves much more quickly. It seems like Christmas is around the corner again before last year’s gifts are put away. And birthdays…well, each one is not quite as exciting anymore. The anticipated wait doesn’t drag anymore. Now it flies by.

Waiting for the calendar page to turn—that’s not so hard. Unless time ends, one month will flow into the next, guaranteed.

But waiting on God? It. Is. Hard. Some days waiting on God feels impossible. And other days it takes me right to my knees in tears and frustration.

Please join me at 5 Minutes for Faith to continue reading...

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Faith Filled Friday, The Weekend Brew, #TellHisStory

When You Don’t Want to Admit You’re a Little Jealous

It happened again. I read about something new. Something really cool. Something that would’ve been fun to participate in. But I wasn’t asked.

It wasn’t a slight against me—there is absolutely no reason I should have been asked. And to be honest, being a part wasn’t even my first thought. It was just something I was perusing…and then I saw her picture.

Ouch. I don’t like to admit that, even to myself, but the feeling was there. Thankfully, so was logic. I asked myself why I felt like that—I don’t have time for another commitment. My focus has been pulled elsewhere this year, and I’ve accepted that because I know that’s where God has moved me.

But that feeling…that niggling bit of why-not-me that gets into my heart and then my stomach. I know it has to be stopped before it grows into the monster jealously becomes.

So, I took it to God.

God, I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but…why not me?

That’s not what I planned for you.

(Deep breath.)

You have planned other things for me…places where I’m needed right now, things to do today, and something for later which I don’t even know about yet.

That’s right.

(Another deep breath.)

Okay, thanks. I think I’m good now.

Admit it.

Um, I just did—to You. So…can You take away the icky feeling now?

Yes, but you need to admit it again so you can let it go.

(Sigh.) I know.

There really is something about shedding light to the dark little parts I’d rather not tell you about.

Jealously is meant to be kept in the dark because there it grows—fast and without being noticed. It’s harder to stop after it’s grown vines around your heart and clouded your thinking. It overshadows common sense and distorts perception.

Jealously changes who we are—who God made us to be. (<== Click to tweet.)

It makes us think less of what God has purposed us for because we’re focused on what someone else has.

Jealously causes us to lose what God has placed in front of us—we miss out on His plan for us.

And the thing is, if it’s what God Himself designed, then it’s better than what we see somewhere else—because His plans for you were not meant for me, and His plans for me were not for you.

That’s the perfectness of God’s plans—they are specific for each of us. God’s plans are personal—creatively thought out and set up individually—for you and for me.

In Christ,

Laura

Linking up with Coffee For Your Heart, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Unforced Rhythms, Sharing His Beauty, Winsome Wednesday, Everyday Jesus