God does all things well. He is sovereign and his wisdom and timing are perfect. Not only that but within the inner thoughts of our hearts he says, "Come unto me you who are weary and I will give you rest."
I believe this for you:
II Samuel 22:29-37 "O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God's way is perfect. All the LORD's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is GOD except the LORD? Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my fortress, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping."
Living in weakness where he is strong/God's strength is made perfect within our weakness.
- - - - - Kate
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
GOD's POWER & STRENGTH: for today & tomorrow & the day after that....forever
Both the prayers and the praise of the righteous avail much. It is through our faith that we are able to claim victory in all areas of life and walk forward in boldness and joy. My prayer is that God continues the good work he has begun in you in a new and fresh way and that your personal desire to have him inundate your life is increased!
I am excited about this time. God is answering my prayers.
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God in your midst, the mighty one, WILL SAVE; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Ephesians 3:16-20 "I PRAY that from his glorious and unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be MADE COMPLETE with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
Ephesians 6:10-12 - "A final word: Be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand FIRM against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 4:1b-2 "...lead a life worthy of YOUR CALLING, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love."
Your calling is great and the LORD will use it mightily for his kingdom. Bless others with the gift of God's word - - -he has equipped you for battle! I am so proud of the strides you have made and I know that God has been pleased with the battles you have won in his name.
Run the race to win the prize! There is strength in your testimony and healing in the word that God has placed within your heart. Do not be discouraged. For today God has given you the victory, by his glorious and powerful name. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
I thank God for what has happened and what WILL HAPPEN - - - - Kate
I am excited about this time. God is answering my prayers.
Zephaniah 3:17 - "The LORD your God in your midst, the mighty one, WILL SAVE; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
Ephesians 3:16-20 "I PRAY that from his glorious and unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be MADE COMPLETE with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
Ephesians 6:10-12 - "A final word: Be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand FIRM against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 4:1b-2 "...lead a life worthy of YOUR CALLING, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. be patient with each other, making allowances for each other's faults because of your love."
Your calling is great and the LORD will use it mightily for his kingdom. Bless others with the gift of God's word - - -he has equipped you for battle! I am so proud of the strides you have made and I know that God has been pleased with the battles you have won in his name.
Run the race to win the prize! There is strength in your testimony and healing in the word that God has placed within your heart. Do not be discouraged. For today God has given you the victory, by his glorious and powerful name. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)
I thank God for what has happened and what WILL HAPPEN - - - - Kate
Thursday, January 19, 2012
SCRIPTURE: my personal reading
My heart’s greatest desire is to “love the LORD my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind” and to honor him by also “loving my neighbor as myself.”
In Jeremiah 7:23 God says, “…Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!”
Over and over again throughout Jeremiah, Lamentations, and Ezekiel God tells the Israelites how much he loves them and, throughout the many pronouncements of judgment, declares that if they will only turn from their idols he will deliver them from the onslaught that is coming their direction. Unfortunately they never do for (Jeremiah 7:28) “…This is the nation whose people refuse to be taught. Truth has vanished from among them; it is no longer heard on their lips.”
What was Israel’s greatest sin? ---Pride.
Jeremiah 13:15-16 “Listen and pay attention! Do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God before it is too late. Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you, causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains. For then, when you look for the light, you will find only terrible darkness and gloom.”
Maybe it’s just me but it always seems as though pride pops up its ugly head often enough within our own lives and churches. Time and time again I can remember pastors confessing their pride to the congregation and trusted friends pointing out and admitting the same.
How can we be rid of pride? ----Get your strength from God.
There’s an amazing picture of this in 1 Samuel 30:3-4, 6, “When David and his men reached Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep… David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him… But David found strength in the LORD his God.”
Basically, thanks to God’s favor, David goes on a killing spree and walks away with all of his family and possessions PLUS plunder from the Amalekites. Strength from God comes out in physical strength/stamina like David as well as protection and sustenance.
Jeremiah: (16:19) “LORD, you are my strength and fortress, refuge in the day of trouble!” (17:7-8) “But blessed are those that trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried about long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
Because we know that our God (Jeremiah 20:12a) “[The] LORD of Heaven’s Armies, you test those who are righteous, and you examine the deepest thoughts and secrets…”
ENCOURAGEMENT:
Jeremiah 29:11-13 “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. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.”
Jeremiah 51:15-16 “The LORD made the earth by his power, and preserves it with his wisdom. With his own understanding he stretched out the heavens. When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens are filled with water. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.”
Lamentations (18:18) “I cry out, “My splendor is gone! Everything I had hoped for from the LORD is lost!” (18:21-27) “Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”
The LORD is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. It is good to wait quietly for salvation from the LORD. It is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline” (18:31-33) “For no one is abandoned by the LORD forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.”
Hopefully you found these verses as interesting and encouraging as I did.
Praying for you - - - -Kate :)
Monday, January 16, 2012
HEALING: What an incredible God
What an amazing God I have. He has blessed my prayers and shown me a small piece of his eternal plan. My faith is strengthened! My joy abounds! His favor is on me! What have I to fear?
God has opened my eyes to his wonderful design. Read Ecclesiastes and understand what the wise teacher is saying - - -every everything is meaningless except God.
;) I love you and am praying for you friend - Kate
God has opened my eyes to his wonderful design. Read Ecclesiastes and understand what the wise teacher is saying - - -every everything is meaningless except God.
;) I love you and am praying for you friend - Kate
Sunday, January 15, 2012
HUSBAND: For my second greatest gift from God
Singing, still singing, oh my heart
rising yet as we part
stinging sweetly as we pass
waiting patiently, we move alas
bringing back the plainer days
sitting nearer in the rays
carried gently through the sand
wearing each other like a brand.
I still feel you in the coming dawn
lifted to heaven in a well-thought song
Dancing thro pages of wisdom and store
learning of loving you all the more
Christ is the answer, the beat of my heart
the one who makes us-ness an expression of art
whether here in the morning or into the night
I sit here waiting..... by faith not by sight
warmed by the gift of his voice in my hand
living in truth, on my Lord God I stand.
Boldness and courage my prayerful gift
Praising the Father, it's you I lift.
Knowing the lesson in the heat of His grasp
crushing the lies of the tongue of the asp.
Raising you up like the warriors of old
leading your family in faith- Be bold.
He made man for action, also for peace
Obedience, hunger, the war on his knees.
Fear not love. Fear not life.
Fear not swine full of strife.
Look first to Jesus, the rest falls in fast
Heeding the WORD from first to the last
I look first to God then second to you
Press on. Go swiftly. Heed and then DO.
Charge on for heaven thro the grit and surpass
knowing none of it here will matter or last.
- - - - - - I love you - - - - Kate
rising yet as we part
stinging sweetly as we pass
waiting patiently, we move alas
bringing back the plainer days
sitting nearer in the rays
carried gently through the sand
wearing each other like a brand.
I still feel you in the coming dawn
lifted to heaven in a well-thought song
Dancing thro pages of wisdom and store
learning of loving you all the more
Christ is the answer, the beat of my heart
the one who makes us-ness an expression of art
whether here in the morning or into the night
I sit here waiting..... by faith not by sight
warmed by the gift of his voice in my hand
living in truth, on my Lord God I stand.
Boldness and courage my prayerful gift
Praising the Father, it's you I lift.
Knowing the lesson in the heat of His grasp
crushing the lies of the tongue of the asp.
Raising you up like the warriors of old
leading your family in faith- Be bold.
He made man for action, also for peace
Obedience, hunger, the war on his knees.
Fear not love. Fear not life.
Fear not swine full of strife.
Look first to Jesus, the rest falls in fast
Heeding the WORD from first to the last
I look first to God then second to you
Press on. Go swiftly. Heed and then DO.
Charge on for heaven thro the grit and surpass
knowing none of it here will matter or last.
- - - - - - I love you - - - - Kate
Friday, January 13, 2012
PEACE: Driving fast and Holding fast
Hurrying through the night and jumping into my car to head home for the past few nights have been some of the most peaceful moments from the past week.
Do you believe in signs? I believe that sometimes God gives me physical reminders of his many promises to me in ordinary everyday life.
Last night was no different with the moon and stars shining so amazingly clear. I was astonished once again by the amount of peace I felt. It hasn't mattered from what I was returning: a friend/counselor's house, my grandparent's dining room table, trail riding/feeding horses, or waddling from an encounter with the Applebee's half-priced menu like last night....
Celestial beauty and brightness, especially from the full moon and Orion's Belt, were brought into my vision with a bang the first night as I came up over a hill. Each night since they have remained as a steadfast reminder of God's goodness and glory.
Pressing hard into the corners in my zippy little car was exhilarating.
My heart was/is full of love and I am waiting. Waiting on God.
Is this what love is supposed to be like? I would not have ascribed to it before now, but absence has definitely made the heart grow fonder. Filled with God's love and truth (not holding back) brings perspective like you would not believe.
Also I'm looking for a mentor. Pray that God will lead the right godly woman into my life. Someone who will speak bluntly and fill my life with perspective and truth. ;)
Praying for you! - Kate :)
Do you believe in signs? I believe that sometimes God gives me physical reminders of his many promises to me in ordinary everyday life.
Last night was no different with the moon and stars shining so amazingly clear. I was astonished once again by the amount of peace I felt. It hasn't mattered from what I was returning: a friend/counselor's house, my grandparent's dining room table, trail riding/feeding horses, or waddling from an encounter with the Applebee's half-priced menu like last night....
Celestial beauty and brightness, especially from the full moon and Orion's Belt, were brought into my vision with a bang the first night as I came up over a hill. Each night since they have remained as a steadfast reminder of God's goodness and glory.
Pressing hard into the corners in my zippy little car was exhilarating.
My heart was/is full of love and I am waiting. Waiting on God.
Is this what love is supposed to be like? I would not have ascribed to it before now, but absence has definitely made the heart grow fonder. Filled with God's love and truth (not holding back) brings perspective like you would not believe.
Also I'm looking for a mentor. Pray that God will lead the right godly woman into my life. Someone who will speak bluntly and fill my life with perspective and truth. ;)
Praying for you! - Kate :)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
SALVATION vs COMFORT: Is it really worth it?
Is our salvation truly that pearl of great price? That field full of treasure that we would abandon and sell everything in order to possess it? Even give up our families and friends for it?
Will we hold on to our riches and comfort like the rich young ruler from Luke 18:18-29 who went away sad because he had great wealth? It's not worth it! Nothing here on this earth is worth holding on to if it means we lose salvation.
Even the church in Laodicea was struggling with this. The reason they were neither hot nor cold was because of their wealth!
Revelation 3:14-22
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
He still LOVES this church. He wants them to turn from their comfort and security which was NOT coming from God but instead was coming from their wealth. Then God promises that the ones who are victorious in this will be given the right to sit with God on his throne.
My new prayer is that God will continue the good work he has begun in me. I am willing to rid myself of anything that holds me back from following Him wholeheartedly. - - -Reveal all areas in which I am lukewarm. Give me strength in all areas where I have weakness. Asking that He would please do whatever it takes for me to get on fire for HIM.
Scary. But ultimately worth it.
God's promises in the Bible are true. Therefore how can I afford to NOT live my life in this manner? How can I afford to keep quiet? How can I afford to hold onto various comforts and luxuries? Will I ever be desperate for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if I hold onto earthly comforts and pleasures?
Know that I value Him MORE. I pray that this conviction will deepen. Know that I love you and that I'm praying that God will speak to you in a new way about what He wants you to do with your earthly wealth. ;) - Kate
Will we hold on to our riches and comfort like the rich young ruler from Luke 18:18-29 who went away sad because he had great wealth? It's not worth it! Nothing here on this earth is worth holding on to if it means we lose salvation.
Even the church in Laodicea was struggling with this. The reason they were neither hot nor cold was because of their wealth!
Revelation 3:14-22
14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
"I am about to spit you out of my mouth." ------Whoa! Does this mean that this church will be thrown into hell? Well, have you ever heard of God talking about Christians as wretched or blind? BUT God says that those he LOVES he rebukes and disciplines.He still LOVES this church. He wants them to turn from their comfort and security which was NOT coming from God but instead was coming from their wealth. Then God promises that the ones who are victorious in this will be given the right to sit with God on his throne.
My new prayer is that God will continue the good work he has begun in me. I am willing to rid myself of anything that holds me back from following Him wholeheartedly. - - -Reveal all areas in which I am lukewarm. Give me strength in all areas where I have weakness. Asking that He would please do whatever it takes for me to get on fire for HIM.
Scary. But ultimately worth it.
God's promises in the Bible are true. Therefore how can I afford to NOT live my life in this manner? How can I afford to keep quiet? How can I afford to hold onto various comforts and luxuries? Will I ever be desperate for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ if I hold onto earthly comforts and pleasures?
Know that I value Him MORE. I pray that this conviction will deepen. Know that I love you and that I'm praying that God will speak to you in a new way about what He wants you to do with your earthly wealth. ;) - Kate
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Not Perfect: The Low Times
Recently I have been pleased to be able to tell concerned friends and family that I am doing well.Honestly this has probably been one of the easiest breakups (from a serious relationship) that I've ever heard of/known but I realized that it could appear that I am this great and wonderful person for following God so closely and seeking His face in all of this.
No no no no no.....
Without God I would be a mess right now. The man that I feel head over heels for has told me that we will never EVER date ever again. My feelings for him still run so deeply that without God's grace and compassion I could have easily slipped into depression or anger.
(When I say head over heels I mean literally. I could think of nothing else and would tell anyone who would listen about this amazing guy I had met.)
As I travel down the road of healing and forgiveness (for both him and myself) I know that God definitely has a perfect plan for each of us. My ex said that God was telling him to break up with me and I had felt God asking him to do just that for a while.... an answer to his brother and sister-in-law's prayers for sure.
I don't say that in a mean way. My ex's whole family has been praying for his soul/relationship with God for a while. They had hoped that when we originally broke up (over something really dumb/stupid/mean/me lying) in December that it would bring him to that place with God. A place of complete need with nowhere else to go.
But a week after breaking up I saw significant growth in him! I was jubilant, praising God and experiencing TRUE LOVE and FORGIVENESS from my ex for the first time in our entire relationship. Everyone was a little wary of us getting back together but we really spent all of our time with my family playing hearts, enjoying the new kinect, and in God's Word together.
Perfect! Exactly what my heart had craved in a spiritual leader and best friend!
But, not so surprisingly, we both had TONS to work through. Falling back into patterns of spending every waking moment with each other (decreased from before but still incredibly significant) and spending less time pursuing God made it all to easy to return to positions of hurt and mistrust.
Does this mean that I didn't love him? HECK NO! I love that man SO MUCH and have continually been praying for his life, his future, and his family.
BUT - - -BUT - - - God needs us both alone. Focused entirely on HIM not each other. Diving into His word and building a solid foundational relationship with his son Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives. God WILL HEAL us. When? Dunno. Will we ever date again? *Shrug.*
Obviously it will take a while to detach myself from the only person I've ever loved. I believe that God had me in that relationship for a reason and that God will continue to change my heart into the graceful heart of a woman sold out for my LORD and SAVIOR Jesus Christ.
Pray for me, for my ex, for the friends and family that are speaking into our lives right now, and for the body of Christ. God has such a huge calling on our lives. He is equipping us right now for the work He is going to do through us BY HIS POWER and FOR HIS GLORY.
;) Don't worry about me. God has totally got me in a spiritual incubator right now. I am able to take my thoughts captive most times and not let my brain run around with my emotions. PLUS - God has given me the support of my entire family and a consistent flow of scripture and perspective from random sources that seem to surround me daily.
Thanks friends - Kate
Monday, January 9, 2012
Knowing God: Pressing On
I'm overwhelmed with God's LOVE. My life has been inundated with hope and peace concerning His many promises to me.
Yahweh, my great and mighty creator, is doing something NEW & BEAUTIFUL.
How can I not praise Him?
Psalm 100 "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
That new and beautiful thing is probably not a dating relationship. In this season I will simply seek God for the spiritual, physical, and especially emotional healing I need. God is giving me the best gift: Himself.
There is a quote that I have come back to time and time again from a very godly book entitled "Knowing God" that I have been going through. (It is the spiritual equivalent of climbing Mt. Rainier... not crazy difficult but big enough to challenge you)
"But these private mock heroics (poor me syndrome) have no place in the minds of those who know God. They never brood on might-have-beens; they never think of the things they have missed, ONLY OF WHAT THEY HAVE GAINED."
Philippians 3:7-10 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."
True knowledge of God = Everything else is rubbish by comparison
Having a healthy outlook on bummer situations can sometimes be difficult but I have found that a huge portion of scripture with a prayer chaser is exactly what sends everything that is keeping me from trusting completely in the LORD scurrying.
Add in a loving and God-fearing family, some exercise, and a few job applications and you've got yourself a winning combination! Know I'm praying for all of you friends and that God has given me such a LOVE for you! Who knows when this will be useful for someone but right now this is helpful for me....
This isn't emotional barfing (believe you me) but it is sharing how incredibly good has been to me by not forcing me to choose but ordering my life exactly according to His purpose right now. He knew that I was in a weak position and he peacefully gave me an out. (Then I got hit upside the head later on in an email but it was nice to finally have a definite END to something that could've continued on for years to come.... whew!)
;) Kate
Yahweh, my great and mighty creator, is doing something NEW & BEAUTIFUL.
How can I not praise Him?
Psalm 100 "Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations."
That new and beautiful thing is probably not a dating relationship. In this season I will simply seek God for the spiritual, physical, and especially emotional healing I need. God is giving me the best gift: Himself.
There is a quote that I have come back to time and time again from a very godly book entitled "Knowing God" that I have been going through. (It is the spiritual equivalent of climbing Mt. Rainier... not crazy difficult but big enough to challenge you)
"But these private mock heroics (poor me syndrome) have no place in the minds of those who know God. They never brood on might-have-beens; they never think of the things they have missed, ONLY OF WHAT THEY HAVE GAINED."
Philippians 3:7-10 "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."
True knowledge of God = Everything else is rubbish by comparison
Having a healthy outlook on bummer situations can sometimes be difficult but I have found that a huge portion of scripture with a prayer chaser is exactly what sends everything that is keeping me from trusting completely in the LORD scurrying.
Add in a loving and God-fearing family, some exercise, and a few job applications and you've got yourself a winning combination! Know I'm praying for all of you friends and that God has given me such a LOVE for you! Who knows when this will be useful for someone but right now this is helpful for me....
This isn't emotional barfing (believe you me) but it is sharing how incredibly good has been to me by not forcing me to choose but ordering my life exactly according to His purpose right now. He knew that I was in a weak position and he peacefully gave me an out. (Then I got hit upside the head later on in an email but it was nice to finally have a definite END to something that could've continued on for years to come.... whew!)
;) Kate
Sunday, January 8, 2012
FAITH: Thanking God for the Bad
Faith: Thanking God for the bad things that happen in our lives.
Every bit of encouragement from God's word today has been on one topic: God's enduring faithfulness. It all started after reading a not-so-nice email when the next message that popped into my inbox had this message:
Psalm 42:5 "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Then, after doing a few errands (I've become so productive!) I had a teensy tiny lil breakdown and decided to work out my frustrations in the torture chamber they call Hot Yoga. It felt great.... afterwards BUT I needed my peace renewed.
Step in Daystar. The Christian television programming station armed with the Hal Lindsey Report. Scripture saturated with a special message tailored for---- those going through something hard having a responsibility to praise God within their circumstances aka me.
The show stated that to have any other response other than thanking God for enacting His perfect plan (even when that plan includes hard circumstances) comes from a position of thinking we know better than God. (i.e. arrogance and pride) Why would we, mere humans, think we had anything to "help" God out with His decisions.
Isaiah 40:13-14 "Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding?"
Need scripture to prove that we should thank God for our circumstances? Look no further than these clearly written scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 5:15-20 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The greatest expression of belief in God is praising Him through our tough circumstances. Conversely, the greatest expression of our unbelief in our Lord Jesus Christ is griping about our circumstances. (http://www.hallindsey.com/ the 1/6/2012 report)
Especially when in God tells us absolutely:
Romans 8:28 "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."
Whew! That was a hard pull on the reins for me. God does not want me to continue dwelling on the hard things (like being dumped) and talking about it with others. He simply wants me to trust him like Abraham, the father of our faith.
Hopefully this will help someone out there. Also I've found Steve Curtis Chapman's song "Help is on the Way" to be helpful. Nothing like that old gospel choir sound to put you in a good mood. ---Oh! and today is choir appreciation day. ;) Enjoy!
Every bit of encouragement from God's word today has been on one topic: God's enduring faithfulness. It all started after reading a not-so-nice email when the next message that popped into my inbox had this message:
Psalm 42:5 "Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Then, after doing a few errands (I've become so productive!) I had a teensy tiny lil breakdown and decided to work out my frustrations in the torture chamber they call Hot Yoga. It felt great.... afterwards BUT I needed my peace renewed.
Step in Daystar. The Christian television programming station armed with the Hal Lindsey Report. Scripture saturated with a special message tailored for---- those going through something hard having a responsibility to praise God within their circumstances aka me.
The show stated that to have any other response other than thanking God for enacting His perfect plan (even when that plan includes hard circumstances) comes from a position of thinking we know better than God. (i.e. arrogance and pride) Why would we, mere humans, think we had anything to "help" God out with His decisions.
Isaiah 40:13-14 "Who has understood the mind of the Lord, or instructed Him as His counselor? Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding?"
Need scripture to prove that we should thank God for our circumstances? Look no further than these clearly written scriptures:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Ephesians 5:15-20 "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The greatest expression of belief in God is praising Him through our tough circumstances. Conversely, the greatest expression of our unbelief in our Lord Jesus Christ is griping about our circumstances. (http://www.hallindsey.com/ the 1/6/2012 report)
Especially when in God tells us absolutely:
Romans 8:28 "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."
Whew! That was a hard pull on the reins for me. God does not want me to continue dwelling on the hard things (like being dumped) and talking about it with others. He simply wants me to trust him like Abraham, the father of our faith.
Hopefully this will help someone out there. Also I've found Steve Curtis Chapman's song "Help is on the Way" to be helpful. Nothing like that old gospel choir sound to put you in a good mood. ---Oh! and today is choir appreciation day. ;) Enjoy!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Learning Faith: ...Not All Bad
There's something amazingly romantic about the blend of business lights mixed with traffic lights and leftover Christmas lights reflecting off rainy Seattle streets. Traffic was nonexistent and I had made it to Top Pot doughnuts an hour early to just sit there and take it all in.
Everything seemed kissed by the rain and the impending weekend as lovers came in for their caloric and caffeinated feast, a enthusiastic black man wished me a wonderful morning in hopes that I would purchase the paper he was selling, and various Seattle-type business individuals hurried by to dive into the last day of the week.
Yesterday's storm (parting ways with my ex) stayed with my gut but not with my spirit. I was able, for the first time in a long time, to sit in peace with God. Knowing that He has this entire situation has been the one saving grace. It was nice to sit there and watch life march on for the thousands of dog-loving, three-raw sugars espresso drinking, REI sale staker-outers that were as unaffected as I by the grey cloud's loomingness.
For the individual that possesses a saving relationship with Jesus Christ walking in FAITH is simple. When a tough situation comes up ask: Do I trust God or not? Do I believe what his holy word says or not?
Hebrews 11:1a - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."
This is only the tip of the iceberg for what I was diving into today. Add in the fact that I got to visit my brother at college, finally taking care of that oh-so-convenient emissions test, signing up for Hot Yoga, and orchestrating a few more meetings and whew! I love getting so much done. PLUS on my way home the skies cleared up and I got to break out my sunglasses.
Today was an excellent day. Know that I'm praying for you friends and that I appreciate your prayers and input. :)
Everything seemed kissed by the rain and the impending weekend as lovers came in for their caloric and caffeinated feast, a enthusiastic black man wished me a wonderful morning in hopes that I would purchase the paper he was selling, and various Seattle-type business individuals hurried by to dive into the last day of the week.
Yesterday's storm (parting ways with my ex) stayed with my gut but not with my spirit. I was able, for the first time in a long time, to sit in peace with God. Knowing that He has this entire situation has been the one saving grace. It was nice to sit there and watch life march on for the thousands of dog-loving, three-raw sugars espresso drinking, REI sale staker-outers that were as unaffected as I by the grey cloud's loomingness.
For the individual that possesses a saving relationship with Jesus Christ walking in FAITH is simple. When a tough situation comes up ask: Do I trust God or not? Do I believe what his holy word says or not?
Hebrews 11:1a - "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."
Hebrews 10:23 - "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise."
1 Timothy 4:10 - "This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers."
Today was an excellent day. Know that I'm praying for you friends and that I appreciate your prayers and input. :)
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