Tag: God’s love

God Is Waiting

James 4:8 (NCV), “Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure.”

Several days ago, I heard the testimony of a woman who had been abused (physically by her mom and ex-boyfriend, and sexually by her brother). As a teenage girl she ended up homeless, was involved in prostitution, sold drugs, struggled with drug addiction, and was in and out of jail for committing various crimes. But on one particular occasion, after relapsing with drug use, she ended up back in jail. Feeling as if all hope was gone, she cried out to God in surrender from her jail cell. It was in that moment she heard God speak to her and tell her that He had been waiting for her to come to Him.

When God told her, He had been waiting for her to come to Him, it reminded me that God is always there, every moment of every day. He wants to be intimately involved with us, not just when we are desperate for His help but even when life is going smoothly.

Sin keeps us from drawing near to God. However, He is patiently waiting for us to choose Him over the lusts and strongholds of the flesh. Even the little sinful habits that we accept as “normal” or “not that bad” can keep us separated from God’s best. Once we are ready to surrender, like the lady did in her jail cell, we can experience greater intimacy with God through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. And greater intimacy with Him leads to more growth, greater joy and abundant blessings.

It’s good to know we are loved by a God who hears our desperate cries for help, but also delights in us each day and rejoices with us in the good times.

Zephaniah 3:17 NLT, “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”

Never forget that God is waiting to hear from you each day, in the good times and the bad.

The One Who Can Save You

Hebrews 5:7,“During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.”

Jesus cried out to the One who could save Him and He was heard because of His reverence.

Sometimes in the hustle of life, it can be easy to forget that God sees our tears and hears our cries. He is waiting patiently for us to come to Him in prayer. Bringing our petitions to the Lord is a way of showing Him the reverence He is due, it recognizes His sovereignty over our lives.

Phot by: Ricky Esquivel of the USA

I recently was stressing out about something, not even realizing I was neglecting to pray. When it occurred to me to say a simple prayer, the very next morning, my prayer was answered. I felt overjoyed and was thankful! It was a reminder to me of the importance of quickly carrying my needs to God in prayer.

Is there something that is troubling you today? No need is too great or too small. The Lord is patiently waiting to hear from you, right now.

Like Jesus, cry out to the One who can save you.

Through It All

I was sitting at my desk working the other day, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed with thankfulness for how the Lord sustains us through life’s ups and downs.

It has been a rough year for me, losing my mom, as well as dealing with other issues of life that have surfaced, but I find great joy in looking back and seeing how the Lord has kept me. I am sure you too can look back over your life, and see how the Lord gave you the strength to navigate tough terrain.

Matthew 6:11 KJV, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

Every single day, God gives us our daily bread so we can persevere. People and situations can change, but the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, remains the same.

I hope you find strength, peace and comfort in that truth. And I pray that if you are going through a struggle, God’s kindness and mercy would meet you where you are today, fill your heart with joy, and supply your needs. Through it all, keep looking up to Jesus and trust Him to sustain you.

Photo by: Max Andrey of the USA 🇺🇸

A Blessed Life

Psalms 1:1-2, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.”

There is so much information available to us nowadays. We have to be careful to make sure the things we are hearing and reading are in sync with the Word of God. His Word is full of wisdom and will guide us into truth.

Photo by: Ben Mack of Australia 🇦🇺

Knowing that God is working in our hearts to mature us so that we can grow in our relationship with Him and help others, brings joy, in spite of circumstances. Following the ways of the Lord will not always be easy, but our obedience will lead to a blessed life.

Praise God My Soul

Psalm 146:1-2, “Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.”

The words of these verses remind us of the true commitment and passion that it takes to live for the Lord. Resolving to give God praise, for all of our lives, as long as we live, happens one day at a time, as we willingly surrender our hearts to the Him. The Lord will give us the strength we need to trust Him each day. Don’t hesitate to cast your cares upon the Lord today, as you give Him praise for who He is and all that He is doing, right now today, in your life and the lives of those you love.

Photo by: Matt Botsford

Can I Ask You A Question?

I recently remembered a time towards the end of last year, when my daughter and I were leaving the hospital after visiting my mom. As we were walking out, there was a woman sitting on the bench. When we walked by she said, “Excuse me. Can I ask you a question?” We said, “Yes.” She said, “Why is it that those addicted to crack (she didn’t put it quite so nicely) are the only ones who want to help you?” She continued on by expressing that the “good people” never want to help you but the crack addicts will invite you into their world and help you anyway they can, even offering you more crack.

Seeing and hearing her frustration that night, I thought of how often her statement may have been true, even in my own life. I wondered how many opportunities I may have passed up to do good and help someone in need.

Photo by: Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz

One of my favorite stories in the Bible, is the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, found in John chapter 4. Jesus was willing to go against the societal norms and speak to someone He should not have spoken to. By doing so, He changed her life. Although Jesus already knew her story, He was still willing to listen to the woman. I love the example that Jesus set for us.

It is quite easy to come up with conclusions about a person, but until we hear someone’s story, we don’t know the truth of their journey. Taking time to listen to someone, is not always encouraged nowadays, especially if the person doesn’t meet our standard of normal. But operating in the Spirit of Love, and challenging the “norm,” will open the door for meaningful conversations; conversations that can bring about positive changes that make a difference in the lives of people.

May we be a beacon of hope to those in need; freely giving all that God has called us to give.

Small as a Mustard Seed

Matthew 17:20 NIV, “He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

We may have times in life where we question our faith in God, and feel as if our lack of faith has hindered our progress or even caused us to not experience the answer to some of our prayers. However, this verse encourages us by reminding us that even a small amount of faith in God, the size of a mustard seed, can have a huge impact.

God can see our hearts, and when we come to Him in prayer, we do not have to speak many words or have all the answers. All we need is faith, the size of a mustard seed. Then, Jesus said, nothing will be impossible, and mountains will move.

So trust God and don’t be discouraged. Believe that He can do great things with your mustard seed faith.

Photo by: Eva Bronzini of Estonia 🇪🇪