Trusting God Through Changes

Psalm 32:8 NLT, “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

My daughter and I have been living in Florida for about four years now. She received a scholarship to attend a university here in Miami. So in 2015, we relocated from the Detroit area of Michigan, (where we lived for eleven years), so that she could attend the school. She lived on campus in the dorm all four years, but she’s been back home with me since May, which is when she graduated. Although we had to get used to living together again, it’s been nice having her home.

Earlier this year, she applied for a program to teach abroad in Spain and was accepted. So next month she’ll be leaving for her new adventure in Spain. I’m very excited for her, but of course I’ll miss her. Although her major is in Art History, she has a minor in Spanish Language and Culture. So living in a Spanish speaking country will enhance her Spanish speaking skills. Of course there are many Spanish speakers here in Miami, but living in a place like Spain, where the official language is Spanish, will be a great experience for her.

Well with my daughter leaving, I knew I would end up leaving to. We don’t have any family here in South Florida, and there is no reason for me to remain here. This past Monday, I turned in my resignation at my job. That was a big exciting step for me. I had been praying over it, so I had peace that it was what God was leading me to do. I won’t be leaving my job until October, but I wanted to give my employer plenty of notice.

Once I leave, I’ll be relocating back to Virginia, which is the state where I was born and raised. My mom and many of my other family members live there. It will be awesome to be with family again. I don’t have a job in Virginia yet, but I will trust God. He always provides for me when He takes me through these type of changes.

This season of my life in Florida has been filled with many lessons, and it has not always been easy. Being here has really challenged me in many ways, and caused me to grow in my relationship with Christ. I am so thankful that God kept my daughter and I safe throughout these four years. I’ve had to trust God every step of the way, and pray without ceasing. Prayer, worship, and God’s love letter to us, the Bible, have been my lifelines.

Our lives in Jesus Christ are lived by faith. We have to trust Him completely, even with the unknowns of life. I’ve learned that God usually reveals His will one step at a time. When we take one step of obedience by faith, then He’ll show us the next step.

I’m looking forward to sharing more with you about my time in Florida and my transition to Virginia in future writings. If you’re going through any changes of your own, keep trusting God to direct your paths. Everyday of your life is part of His loving plan for you. Even on the difficult days He works all things together for our good.

As always, thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement.

He’s Still God

James 4:10 NIV, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”

Not too long ago I was talking to the Lord about some issues I was having, and I heard Him speak these words to my heart, “I’m still God.” When I heard God speak those words to me, I immediately felt peace. No matter what we may go through, He is still God. When our hearts are humbled before Him, it opens the door for Him to be God in our lives. He has promised to lift us up when we are intentional about remaining humble before Him.

Photo by: homethods.com

This picture reminds me of the absolute beauty that is found in having humility before God. The same God who commands the oceans to be still, is the same God who calms the storms in our lives. It’s not all about the words we speak to God, or the things we do for God, but instead it’s all about who He is. It’s about what He says and what He does.

Humility allows us to experience who God is, and the blessings He wants to give us. Remain humble before God, and remember that no matter what happens…

He’s Still God.

Hidden Safely With Christ

Colossians 3:2-3 NIV, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

I’ve been meditating on these verses over the last couple of days. They remind me that my priority should be on eternal things. Earthly things should not take precedence over the things that matter most to the Lord.

It can definitely be a challenge trying to stay focused on what matters most to the Lord. The responsibilities we have in our personal lives, along with the allure of the world, make it difficult to set our minds on things above. It’s like we’re in a constant game of tug of war. Although we want to do what is right, we sometimes choose what is easy instead. Following Jesus is not usually an easy path. Staying committed to Him takes perseverance.

Placing our focus on Jesus, will help us to have a better understanding of what it means to diligently seek God. We will see life and people from His perspective. There will be many impostors throughout our journey, but when our minds are set on Him, we won’t be fooled by a counterfeit.

Our lives are hidden with Christ in God. The covering that the Father has over us, will protect us. The Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Don’t be discouraged. When things get tough, look up to Jesus! He is an ever present help in times of trouble.

Random Acts of Kindness Award – 1

Thanks Mrs. Holliman @ God’s Love for this nomination. I appreciate you thinking of me. I’ve never received this award before. I know that you and Mr. Holliman have a heart for the homeless and I think that is awesome, because homelessness is a huge problem. It’s all around us. Therefore, I will share a short version of a story about a homeless lady I met named Susie.

The Random Acts Of Kindness Awards Rules:

1. Tell who nominated you and why

2. Copy and share the picture that shows the award, posted above

3. Share a paragraph of something that impacted you own life in the way of receiving kindness or how you extended kindness to someone else

4. Nominate anyone or share to your own page. If you choose to participate. Tag pingback to the original person who nominated you, or the original post

My Story:

There are so many homeless people living on the streets of South Florida. Practically every time I go in the store, there is someone asking for money. Even at the stop lights you see people holding up signs that say, “homeless need a meal” or “lost job need help”.

One day I begin to notice a homeless lady who was often sitting at a bus shelter outside of my apartment complex. When I would drive past, I noticed she was reading what looked like a Bible. Long story short, God lead me to talk to her one day after I got home from work. I ended up visiting her at the bus shelter several times. I also was able to take an offering to her during those visits. She was very thankful. She always had her Bible with her.

What made this 64 year old lady so special, is that she had a whole vision of someday opening a shelter for the homeless. Even though she herself was homeless, she said the Lord was using her to preach the gospel to others on the street. She seemed to know God’s Word very well and hearing her speak was an inspiration.

I went to be a blessing to Susie, but she ended up blessing me. She had such a passion for Jesus and was excited about the purpose and vision that was in her heart. She told me she hoped to someday work with Oprah. I have not seen Susie in months, but I think of her often and pray she is safe.

Nominees:

Great is God’s Faithfulness

Theology of a Newfoundland Housewife

WordPress13730Faith2Faith

The F Word

Wise Hearted

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Lamentations 3:22-23 KJB, “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Every morning we can wake up and start a new day knowing that the Lord’s mercy and compassion are with us. He understands what we are going through. The failures we may have had yesterday, do not impact the love He has for us today. He is faithful to us and His love for us endures through all things.

The love and faithfulness that our Heavenly Father has toward us, is the secure foundation that we can stand on. The mercy and compassion that He shows to us, helps to keep us safe from guilt and condemnation. He understands our weaknesses.

Today is a new day. Lean on the love of God. Be filled with joy knowing that our Lord is faithful to us. He will never leave our side.

God of all comfort

Thank you Deandra@Imago Dei for this encouraging writing. God’s Comfort is so special, and it comes in different forms as you have reminded us.

#MySaturdayShare

Dee's avatarImago Dei

“Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” Isaiah‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I want to start off the first promise of these series of God’s promises with the above verse (in an effort to help with my and maybe your struggle with spiritual amnesia).

It is a strange verse to use when introducing the promises of God but I feel it incumbent upon me to not sugar coat what we face in our day to day life. Since we all have diverse issues that we are dealing with, I want us to be reminded that God is using all our afflictions for His glory. So whether they are to refine us or to refine those around us, we can rest in the fact our Heavenly Father has chosen them all.

I also want to emphasize that it may not be…

View original post 777 more words

O Taste And See

I was recently speaking to someone who expressed some concerns about a, “youth fun night” church event she and her family had attended. She stated that she disapproved of the secular music that was being played, and the dancing the young people were doing. She said that because the lights were down low, the atmosphere was similar to a night club. She said it, “just didn’t feel right”, until the very end, when they finally played one worship song to close the evening.

After our conversation this verse in Psalm 34 came to my mind…

Psalm 34:8 KJB, “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

When people come to the church, I believe they are coming because they desire to “taste” something different than what they have tasted in the world. We have the privilege of introducing them to the difference they are seeking…Jesus Christ.

It’s easy for us as Christians, to fall into the trap of thinking that by mimicking the ways of the world, we will somehow win people over. Jesus never used worldly tactics to convince people. He always spoke words of truth, and He lived by the words He spoke.

We must believe in our hearts that once people taste what Jesus has to offer, their lives will be changed. The lives we live, will be the first taste of Jesus that many will see. If we do not show them “something different” they will not know how amazing our Lord is. They will not know of His love, grace, and peace. They will not know that during the tribulations of life, He will carry their burdens and heal their broken hearts. If we do not help them to taste and see that our Lord is good, they may never know the joy of eternity in His presence.

Father,

Thank you Father for the difference Your Son Jesus has made in our lives. Help us not to conform to the ways of this world, but instead to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). Teach us to make knowing you and showing the world who Jesus is a priority. Help us not to be afraid to be different, so that we can share the beauty of that difference with others.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.