Tag: faith

I wish I could remember who taught me this, but I can’t. I am however so very grateful. God has used it many times to remind me that when it feels like I am surrounded by darkness:

1. I am walking THROUGH. NOT building a permanent dwelling place in that place.

2. I don’t have to fear ANYTHING because He is with me, right where I am, and He is the great I AM.

3. He is not just there, He is there to PROTECT, GUIDE and COMFORT me.

This is just one verse from the powerful promises found in Psalm 23. It is a rich Word to meditate on, to consider who He is, and what He does. I believe it never grows old because these words are just as alive with the love of God now as they were when King David wrote them.

Oh how HE LOVES you and me!

Thinking this morning about peace, and praying for anyone who is struggling today. In Hebrew, peace means wholeness, wellness, nothing missing, lacking or broken. When Jesus was born the angels said, “glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, goodwill to men.” And in John 14, before he went to the cross Jesus said, “my peace I leave with you.” My prayer is that you receive and unwrap His gift of peace, freely offered – take possession of it and don’t let it go. Choose to believe in the love that God has for you, and that He cares for you.

That night, in a field near Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared in radiant splendor before them, lighting up the field with the blazing glory of God, and the shepherds were terrified! But the angel reassured them, saying, “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere!
Luke 2:8‭-‬10 TPT
https://bible.com/bible/1849/luk.2.8-10.TPT

And in this season, I choose joy, I choose to be grateful, I choose to look for things to celebrate, to look for the good, for opportunities to love, to live, to enjoy. I don’t know when this season will change, but I’ve made up my mind not to let it stop me from living, from doing what I enjoy, anymore.

If I’m honest, since my husband became sick a year ago, my focus became very narrow. My “job” has been to pray and stay in faith, and to do what it takes to remain at rest in Him, to work fulltime from home and care for Ed. Most days I did well, others not so much as responsibilities sometimes overwhelmed me. I am still walking this journey of faith daily, trusting God to work, and to lead me/help me do all that needs to be done.

But over these last few weeks I became very aware of my lack of joy. And I feel the Holy Spirit is leading me now to pick back up what was laid aside, lost in the difficulties of this past year. So, no matter the season, I am consciously choosing to make room in my life again for painting, knitting and writing. These are gifts the Father wants me to use and enjoy. I will not let the enemy of my soul steal the joy that comes from being creative and the rest and refreshing it provides.

I guess the lesson for me is no matter the season…find joy, don’t let it slip away, and be grateful. Listen for that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Oh how He loves you and me!

It seems that the Lord has been teaching me about rest for years. I even wrote about it on here back in 2018. Now I am beginning to understand why… Knowing that the fight of faith is truly a fight to remain at rest in Him has become so important in this last 11 months. Our lives were literally turned upside down as we went from working opposite shifts to being together almost 24/7. Illness robbed my husband both physically and cognitively, and put me into the unfamiliar role of a caregiver and advocate. Plus work and responsibilities we had shared were all mine, and I continued to work. Of course family and friends have helped much, for which I am so grateful. But it was overwhelming, and that’s where understanding the importance of resting in Him comes in. Without it, I don’t know how I could have walked through this time.

One night while laying in bed talking to the Lord, he spoke to my heart. “You know how people say to do your best and leave the rest to God?” Yes… “Well, I want you to rest and trust me to do the work.” That really helped me! Whenever I don’t know what to do, start to be overwhelmed, that thought comes to me. I close my eyes and think of it. I choose to rest and trust him to work. I think of how this weapon of rest frustrates the enemy of our souls.

I can tell you that the fight of faith is not easy or a battle for the faint of heart. Sometimes it’s a moment-by-moment choice. Resting in Him means that no matter what the situation or circumstance I choose to believe He is a good God, our loving Father, Healer, trustworthy, faithful, and His Word is true.

I am trusting God to restore Ed to health and to lead us each day. I pray for and expect his doctors and the medicines prescribed to minister to him as helps in the healing process. I don’t understand His timing but I trust Him. I am thankful for faithfilled and faithful family and friends – for all those who are praying and have spoken words of wonderful encouragement. I am grateful for His grace, trusting in His mercy, resting in His love and rejoicing in every victory no matter how small.

There are so many scriptures that God has spoken to us through, I can’t share them all. Key verses I pray for Ed are found in Psalm 23, 91 and 103. They are full of promises of health and restoration.

For me it’s the verses below, and the story of Jesus on the sea in a storm — I remember He is with us in this storm too, and that the wind and waves won’t win. He is still the One who says peace, be still, and in Him we have victory.

Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]…. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Hebrews 4:11‭, ‬16 AMPC

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [Ps. 55:22.]
1 Peter 5:7 AMPC

I am enjoying the 2020 Southwest Believers Convention this week. Feeding my faith and praising my God. You can watch it on Govictory.com. Unforgettable, life-changing, I am grateful!