Tag: change

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.

Trust God’s Perfect Timing

After writing “Our God is the God of Abundance” yesterday, I kept thinking about God’s timing. I thought about how although we know God is sovereign over all things (Colossians 1:16), we must still wait for His plans to unfold.

Knowing that God is an abundant God with unlimited resources, it can be a struggle at times to patiently wait. When we are anxious, we can easily find ourselves wondering why God is taking so long to move in our situation. After persevering in prayer for days, months, or even years we may feel tired and discouraged.

Psalm 27:14 NLT, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”

There are times when God chooses to move suddenly and turn things around, but He doesn’t always do that. We don’t always know the reasons behind our waiting. God may reveal details to us, but other times He requires us to just trust Him.

I used to have a picture on the wall that said, “Faith is trusting God when you do not understand.” That’s what is great about putting our faith in Jesus Christ, we don’t have to understand. Everything does not have to make sense to our human minds (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We can find comfort in knowing that He will strengthen us as we persevere through our waiting. We can cry out to Him at anytime of day or night, and He promised to hear our cries for help.

Psalm 18:6 NLT, “But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.”

He promised to give us His peace in exchange for our prayers (Philippians 4:6-7). As you are waiting, remember that God will never leave you. With every trial you face, God has a purpose and a plan, so don’t lose hope.

God Is Calling Us Out

Isaiah 41:13 NIV, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

Throughout the day yesterday, this thought kept coming to my mind, “God is calling us out.” I kept thinking of Peter when Jesus called him out of the boat to come and meet Him on the water. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. However, the moment he took his focus off of Jesus, and placed it on the wind that was blowing, he lost faith and began to sink.

As Christians, God is calling us out. He is calling us into a deeper relationship with Him, so that we can learn more about Him. He is calling us out of our comfort zones, so that we can fulfill the purpose He has for us. He wants to use us in ways we never imagined, to accomplish the work He has called us to do.

“Getting out of the boat” takes courage. But we will never know what God has for us, if we are not willing to walk by faith and trust Him. Fear will always try to sabotage the work God has for us to do. Fear of failure, and fear of the unknown, will both attempt to keep us in our comfort zones. Fear of what others think of us, will try to stop us from boldly proclaiming who we are Christ. But on the other side of our fears, are the meaningful and fulfilling lives that God planned for us.

God is calling us out. He promised that He will hold our hand and help us to move forward in Him. If God has been speaking to your heart, and calling you out to go deeper with Him, don’t be afraid to get out of the boat and go. He will strengthen you to answer the call He has on your life. Stay focused on Jesus and take one step at a time. He will walk with you every step of the way, but first you must get out of the boat.

2 Corinthians 6:17 NIV, “Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord…

Jesus Christ Never Changes

Hebrews 13:8 (CEV), “Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Jesus Christ is always the same. This is great comfort for us. The world around us is ever changing. People will often change, but Jesus never changes. His love and provision for us will never cease. He will never go back on His Word. He will forever remain true to His promises.

Regardless of our circumstances or how we feel, He will continue to be steadfast in who He is. When we are going through trials, it’s difficult to understand. We cannot see the end result as we are walking through our situation. However God already knows what is ahead. He will take care of us every day and give us what we need to endure.

Whatever you are facing, carry it to God in prayer. Stand on the mighty, unchanging name of Jesus! His name is above all names (Hebrews 2:9-10). Nothing is too hard for Him. He is good and will always do what is right for you.

Cling to Jesus! He is the Solid Rock that we can always depend on.

Jesus is the Solid Rock!

When God Changes Things, Don’t Resist

Proverbs 19:21(NLT) says, “You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.”

My tenth grade marketing teacher taught us this quote by Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “Change is the only constant in our lives.” It’s interesting how change is constant, but we’re prone to resist it. I guess it’s the comfort of familiarity that holds us hostage. Even though we have our routines and plans, as Christians we should always be open to the possibility of God redirecting our course. Our lives become more meaningful when we allow Him to saturate our lives with His adventures.

I always like to remember Abraham…

Hebrews 11:8 (NLT), “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”

This is a great example of stepping out on faith and following the leading of The Holy Spirit. We have to be willing to take the first step God is showing us. After that, he’ll show us the next step. God might not call you to go to another land (although He might), but perhaps He’s calling you to change jobs, or sign up as a volunteer at a local organization. God may even be calling you to reach out to a new person at work or church and invite them to lunch.

We must be willing to embrace the changes He brings our way. Rather the changes are big or small, they count as part of our destiny. Plus, one small change could make a huge difference in the day or life of another person. We can’t let fear of the unknown hinder our progress. The satisfaction we crave is found in walking in obedience to God’s divine plans . This includes making changes as needed.