Tag Archives: Trust

Jan28

Day 28 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…A God Who Is Not Afraid Of My fears

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Day 28 of Random (hopefully inspired) Thought. Today I Am Thankful For…A God Who Is Not Afraid Of My fears

For the last fourteen days, I have lived like Peter on the water with Jesus, only his eyes were not on Jesus, but on the circumstances he was in, the waves rushing, the ocean that he was most certainly (in his mind) not meant to be walking on, the boat that he was NOT in bouncing back and forth. Like Peter, I have been sinking in my sadness, fear, worry, uncertainty, and yes, anxiety. However, at my core, deep inside my heart, that place that knows God is still the same God who called Peter out of the boat and the same God who stood on the water and allowed Peter to do the same. Even as I sink, I know that my hope is in a God who controls the waves. I completely understand that if I took my eyes off the circumstances surrounding me and focused on Him, He would lift me up and keep me from drowning.

Today, after talking to my brother and admitting openly that I was not okay. God opened a door in my heart, a door I had stood in front of desperately wanting to walk through, but for reasons I could not or maybe would not reach out my hand to grab the handle. But God (my absolute favorite two words in the Bible) flung it open for me. I cried out to Him, I told Him everything, every fear, every worry, and every disappointment. I dropped the “Christian” mask, you know the one, it smiles and says everything is okay, God’s got it, even as you wonder if He really does,

He does. He always does, and always will.

“I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous.” Joshua 1:5-6a

You see, friends, courage is not the absence of fear; it’s the presence of trust. Trust in a God that walks on water and calms the storms of our lives and the world around us. It’s okay to have fears; it’s human. It’s okay to ask God, “Do you have this?” He’s not afraid of our fear or our questions. So, if, like me, you have been living like Peter sinking in the seas. Look up and cry out to God; He will lift you up.

So, what am I thankful for today? A God who is not afraid of my fears.

Sep22

Random (hopefully inspired) Thought

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I have hidden Thy word in my heart. (Picture by Lisa R)

I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)

Judges 9. “Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father by killing his seventy brothers. And all the evil of the men of Shechem God returned on their own heads, and on them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal” (Verses 56-57). This was a sad chapter to read. Why. It had 57 verses and it wasn’t until verse 56 that God moved. I am saddened at the fact that in that time period the people’s heart didn’t miss God. Their hearts didn’t miss intimacy with Him, closeness with Him. It is horrible that their hearts had grown so hard, so self centered that nothing else mattered, nothing, but their immediate pleasure. I recently wrote a post about something miraculous that God did for me during my days at bible college. After the post it dawned on me how easy it was for my mind to forget something that amazing and wonderful. How did it happen? My focus was not in the right place. The cares of life, the cares of this world stepped in a drowned out the beauty of what Christ, of what God had done. So today’s devotion is a warning, don’t forget what God has done, not even the smallest thing. Write them down, commit them to your memory banks for they will keep your foot from stumbling, and keep you on the right path. 

Sep19

DAY 261 (2014)

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Sometimes the path is right, but the direction is wrong. Plug into the navigator. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Sometimes the path is right, but the direction is wrong. Plug into the navigator.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Today I woke up feeling great, but that mood changed almost instantly after seeing my email. It was from United Healthcare, I recently applied for a job and was called for a phone interview last Friday. I was told I would receive a response in a week about whether or not they’d proceed to the next step with me, a face to face (they were true to their word). It turns out they don’t want to see my face (as adorable as it is… 😉 ). I wish I could say I was the pillar of faith, that I dropped to my knees and thanked God for not opening the door, because clearly He knew it would be bad for me. No, my response was more like, “I don’t understand Lord I am qualified for this job. How come no one wants to give me an opportunity?” Followed by a run down of what will happen if I don’t find a job soon (as if God was unaware). Yup I am a solid rock of faith… not. I got out of bed feeling dejected and wondering, what God’s ultimate plan for me was (I honestly can say I understand now why the Children of Israel whined and complained, but I also understand why because of their whining God made them wander in the desert for forty years). Here’s what I know God brought me out of my bondage. I know this because while I may be a little worried at times, the freedom I feel in my heart and in my mind is secondly only to how close my relationship with God has grown over this time. I determined in my heart at the beginning of this journey that if I was going to trust, I would trust even when I didn’t understand. After my mini meltdown, I had my devotion. God led me to Judges 6 (see Random Thought for today), the story of Gideon. Through this story God reminded me that He doesn’t always make the obvious choice. He sees what we miss and if we are going to let Him lead us, we have to trust that He didn’t make a mistake even when it feels to us like He did. After my devotion I decided to go park close to my house. To clear my mind, to change my scenery, and to talk to God. On the way to the park I got lost. Here’s the interesting part: I was on the right path, I was at the right crossroads, however, I going in the wrong direction. I found this out once I plugged in my navigator. The message was clear, I am in the right spot, but going in the wrong direction. I need to plug in to my navigator. God is my navigator, He will turn me in the direction that I need to go. I will not whine (although my human nature wants to), I will not see this door as a rejection, but as God’s way of saying,  “You are in the right place, but walking in the wrong direction.”

“A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way?” (Proverbs 20:24).

Lesson: Sometimes we can be on the right path, but going in the wrong direction. Plug in the navigator.

Aug21

DAY 232 (2014)

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Stay the course. Even when you hit a bump...stay the course. (Picture by Lisa R.)

Stay the course. Even when you hit a bump…stay the course.
(Picture by Lisa R.)

Mmmm… This day has been one that I think I will remember for as long as I live. Why? Today God spoke literally (through His word). He said if I made Him the focus of my day that He would bless me. No exaggeration that was my morning devotion, He spoke loud and clear.  Let me back track. Yesterday if you read my post you know I had a bit of a set back. It left me feeling a little heartbroken and discouraged. During the night I kept questioning my faith, questioning whether or not I heard God correctly. I had made so many mistakes in my past by not listening to Him, I vowed not to do this with the rest of the time that I had on this earth. I didn’t want to waste anymore time living in fear, worrying about where my life was headed. I know God has a path and I want to follow it. So what happened yesterday shook me at first, but then I remembered my commitment to the Lord, that I would not allow anything to shake my faith. Despite how bad things looked I would trust in Him. So this morning when He spoke so clearly, it refreshed my heart and renewed my soul. First He led me to Isaiah 12:2. Here He reminded me that complete trust is the only road to true blessings. Then He led me to 1 Kings 8:23, here He reminded me that He is not just going before me, but that He is bedside me and behind me as well, and that every promise made will be kept. Then as if that wasn’t enough He completed the talk with Joshua 2 (see Random Thought for 08/21/2014).  Joshua sent the spies out to survey the promise land. There they encounter Rahab, and they make a promise to her that both her and her family would be safe, IF she followed what they said. See the correlation? Obedience. Today I have been approved for a place to live, I was able to speak with someone in regards to a job, someone else told me about a bunch of places where I could find jobs in my field. I was able to drive around and get acquainted with the place I will be for the next few years. Today was a blessing, and all I had to do to receive it was put God first. Mmmmm…I think I’ll do that again tomorrow 😀 .

“And he said: ‘Lord God of Israel,there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts'”(1 Kings 8:23).

Today my journey taught me to put God first. He’ll clear the path.

May14

DAY 134 (2014)

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Trust the TRUE coach.

Trust the TRUE coach.

Okay I am a sports fan, I like playing it and I like watching it. I live in Florida and thus I am a Heat fan (I’d probably be a Heat fan even if I didn’t live in Florida). Sports creates superstars and mega-players. But here is a truth: no matter how great the player, not matter how awesome the athletic ability, you can’t win on your own. In team sports in order to win, you need the TEAM. Why this conversation today? (Uhmmm, it’s the playoffs…just sayin’). This mind set of DIY has permeated our culture giving us the impression that it’s every man for himself.  That if it needs to be done we can do it ourself, we don’t need help or assistance. But life is not a do it yourself. There is no such thing as a self-made man (or woman), at some point someone had to give you a chance or a push. Here is another truth: In the game of life there is only ONE true coach (come on you had to know it was gonna end up here 😉 ). Every team needs a coach. The TRUE coach teaches you the game, and guides you through rough patches. He is firm when it is called for, and encouraging when needed. He knows the game, knows His players and knows when we need to play and when we need to sit on the bench. My advice play your game, and let the TRUE coach lead you too the championship. Also GO HEAT!!!!!

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

So what’s the plan? Trust the TRUE coach.