Working to Progress

In striving to be like Christ, sometimes I feel that the bar is set impossibly high. Yet, God's word instructs us to make Jesus our ultimate example in how to lead our lives. (1 Peter 2:21-25)

One facet of Jesus' character has be weighing on my mind lately. With the coming of Easter, I have been reflecting on Jesus' journey to the cross, and His response (or lack thereof) has been challenging me.

Jesus was falsely arrested. He was mocked and beaten by Jewish leaders. He was deserted by His disciples. He was questioned by rulers. Crowds, who just days before had heralded Him as their king, screamed for Jesus' death. Jesus was whipped, forced to carry His own cross, and nailed to that cross. All the while, He was being mocked, berated, and cursed.

He never said a word in anger.

He never opened His mouth in rage.

He had no accusing words, hurtful retorts, or vengeful speeches.

Jesus was nothing but respectful and gracefully went through the trial that He faced. He kept the end goal in mind, and remained true to His destiny.

Often, we go through trials and attacks - mind you, no where near the level of attack that Jesus faced. Yet, we "forget" who we are and say things out of character. We arm ourselves with vengeful weapons and go into defense mode. We snap and say things we don't mean. We hurt those who hurt us. We do things that we regret.

We are called to be like Christ. We are challenged to be more like Him.

I am working on having Jesus' character in the face of an attack. I'm working on keeping my mouth closed to nonsense and only speaking words seasoned with grace and respect. I'm working on recognizing the enemy and not giving him any ground in adverse situations. I'm working on keeping my end goal in mind, and staying true to my God-given destiny.

We are all works in progress. Let's just make sure we're working to progress!

Verse of the Day: For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

Wednesday's Word: Endure to the End

 

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

 

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

 

So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

James 1:2-8, 12-16 (NLT)

 

 

Troubles are allowed to give our faith the opportunity to grow. As we face our storms, we can freely ask of the Lord for wisdom to overcome. He will give us what we need, and all we have to do is trust Him with all our hearts not leaning on our own understanding. The Lord will bless us for enduring to the end. We are His prized children, and He will not keep any good thing from us.

Wednesday's Word: Send Out Some Prayers

The LORD is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the LORD forever.

Psalm 23 (NLT)

 

God is faithful.

 

Despite all that has happened... In the face of all that is brewing on the horizon... God is faithful.

 

He has never left us or forsaken us. Ever.

 

As we are remembering the events of 9/11 today, please pray for all those affected by the tragedy. Yet, praise God for how he has guided us. He kept us through war, He stabilized us through choppy political waters, and He is yet keeping America strong.

 

Pray for our leaders. Pray for our President. Pray for Congress. Pray for all those who work behind the scenes.

 

Pray over your state, your city, and your community. Cover your place of residence in prayer.

 

Our Heavenly Shepherd has been faithful. In spite of it all our cup is yet overflowing with blessings. Praise the Lord for His guidance and love.

Going Through The Storm

Sometimes you can see a storm coming. You look at what is coming down the line, and you see the obstacles in your path. You feel the winds change. You see the dark clouds start to gather. And often we know we have to walk through the storm to get to the other side. We can't avoid it. We can't escape it.

Going through the storm strong requires full reliance on the Lord. We have to put away fear and trust that God has our best interests in mind.

When facing His greatest challenge, Jesus knew He had to walk through it. Even though He prayed for the Father to take the situation away, Jesus knew that He could only reach His ultimate goal by going through. (Luke 22:42)

So, Jesus prayed. He put His full being into communicating with the Lord. As He prayed, He received strength from heaven. (Luke 22:43) And when He got up, He was able to face His greatest challenge head-on. And He went on to win.

What storm clouds are gathering in your life? What obstacle is standing waiting up ahead for you?

Don't give in to fear. Don't look at the problem. Look to the Lord who is your help!

Continue in prayer. Communicate with the One who holds this entire world in His hands. Allow heaven to strengthen you in what you're about to face. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13) And that means you can make it through the storm.

Verse of the Day: But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:32, 33

Praise in the Middle of It

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! It's a new week, a new day, and a new opportunity for us to show the glory of God to those around us! Let's take advantage of this week and utilize every day to it's full potential. God has granted us life, so let's make the most of it!

Today I am reminded of Paul and Silas. These men took every opportunity to glorify the Lord! The did not even let being imprisoned stop the praise that came forth from their beings. When they were beaten and locked away in chains, they did not despair. They were not despondent. They lifted up joyful praises to the Lord! And the praises they offered were so sincere and so full of love that they caused heaven to break loose not only their chains, but everyone in that jail's chains! On top of that, the praises of these two men were so impactful, they caused the jailer and his whole household to come to know Jesus! (Acts 16:22-40)

What kind of praises are you lifting up in the midst of your situation? Don't allow circumstances to shut you up! Open up your mouth and glorify your Father in heaven. Your praise could be the key to breaking you out of your chains! Your praise can loose somebody else's chains! Your testimony in the midst of the storm could be the one thing that brings another soul into the kingdom of God!

No matter what you are facing, where you are, or what you are doing - God is still worthy of praise!

Verse of the Day: And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. Acts 16:25, 26

You Have the Power

One of Jesus' most awesome miracles was during a raging storm. The sky was black, winds were howling, waves were crashing, and the boat Jesus was on was filling up with water. Jesus' disciples just knew they were going to die.

Yet, Jesus stood up and calmly spoke to the storm. "Peace be still." Three words were spoken, and immediately everything calmed down. (Mark 4:39) The disciples couldn't believe it. They were shocked that even the winds and waves obeyed the words of Jesus.

Our Savior has assured us that the same power that was given to Him was given to us. We have the same authority to speak words of life that causes our situations to change. All we need is faith in Christ.

So, don't be consumed with the winds that are billowing. Even if it looks like you are about to sink, stay strong. Remember that Jesus Christ - the same man who brought peace to violent storms - lives on the inside of you. You don't have to be afraid. You don't have to fear that you will perish.

Just pull up you faith and use your authority. Command your situation to come in line with the word of God. Anchor your faith in Jesus trusting that He will cause the peace of God to come into your life. As you obey Him, the Lord will keep His word. He will cause all things to work together for your good.

Take hold of the power that Christ has given to you. Don't allow yourself to be beaten down by your circumstances or situations. You have the authority to call change to come. All you have to do is use it.

Verse of the Day: Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

Prayer For Today

This morning, America is waking up and checking on the damage that Hurricane Sandy left on the East Coast. We already know that lives have been lost, homes and businesses destroyed, and landmarks demolished. People are still without power, some are stranded in their homes, and waters are still pooling in the streets and buildings of numerous cities.

Today, I wanted to pray for those affected by this storm.

Father, please be with those who were impacted by this hurricane. Thank You for keeping millions through the night and not allowing the damage to be as enormous as some were predicting. Strengthen those who feel weak, send your healing power to those who were injured. Comfort those who are hurting, and send help to those in need.

Lord, give wisdom to all who now have to figure out how to navigate a way back through the mess that was created. Bless all the leaders, officials, directors, and managers who are making decisions on today. Give knowledge and understanding to the business owners, heads of households, and others in authority as they decide what to do and when.

God, only You can help us to go about each day. Only You can guide our footsteps with surety that will not fail. Only You can show us the pathways when we see nothing. Only You know exactly how to help us face what we have never seen.

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your comfort. Thank You for Your peace.

Amen.

Verse of the Day: But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O LORD, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. Isaiah 25:4

Perfect Peace

This week I have been amazed by the presence of God's peace. It is literally all around me. In the midst of all the planning, preparing, and busyness for my father's homegoing, an inner calm has been present that has helped carry me through this difficult time in my life.

I have been reminded of the words of David: I have never seen the righteous forsaken! God has given my family every single thing we needed. I can only stand in amazement at how God orchestrated everything down to the smallest detail. He is truly an Awesome God!

Yes, my heart is hurting. Yes, there are some questions that I don't have answers to. Yes, I am wondering why... Still, God is faithful. Still, I feel His love surrounding me. Still, I have His joy giving me strength to keep going.

When you take the time to build a strong foundation, you will have what you need to face whatever God allows to come your way. When you take the time to develop a relationship with your Heavenly Father, it won't matter how loud the storm gets; you will still hear His voice guiding you through it all.

Make sure you are keeping your spirit in tune with God. Don't allow the troubles and cares of this world to separate you from His love. Even if your skies are blue, you should cling to His hand all the more. Life is full of twists and turns, and you never know what may be on the horizon. Yet, if you remain firmly in the Lord's grasp, your ride will be smooth, and you'll be able to remain steadfast in your journey.

Verse of the Day: I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalm 37:25

You Are Blessed!

It's a new day, a new week, and a new chance for you! Today, I want to encourage you to look at your life with new eyes. Look for the silver lining in whatever issues come your way, find the blessing in the midst of the storm... Before you complain, find a reason to give God praise. Remember - things could always be worse. There is someone else who is dealing with a heavier load than what you're carrying.

You are blessed!

You have another day of life! God is worthy to be praised. Every day you wake up is a new opportunity. Forget about what happened on yesterday. It's over and done with. No matter what your mistakes, no matter what you did, today is a time for you to begin again.

In order to move forward, you have to look forward. Even if you see dark clouds gathering or if you're already in the midst of a downpour, you still are able to move forward. It may not be the mile that you wanted... but every inch is new ground covered. Stay encouraged! Keep moving!

You are blessed!

I love David's example. This man wrote the greatest book of poetry giving honor to the Lord.

Much of David's work was written during hardship. David lived for a time on the run for his life from the king. He also committed adultery and suffered a loss of his infant son due to his sin, and David's family faced much turmoil during the final years of his life.

Yet in between the lines of David's anguish... In the midst of his cries for help and rescue... David found it within himself to remember the Word of the Lord. He chose to remember the great God that he served. He took courage knowing the Lord was on his side. David was able to find the blessing in his storm.

In spite of whatever you are facing, God is still in control. No matter how devastating yesterday was, you woke up to a brand new day today. Follow David's example and find a way to give God thanks. Take a moment to remember the great God you serve. Look forward with a smile on your face recognizing that in spite of it all you're a winner.

You are blessed!

Verse of the Day: I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13, 14

Stormy Days

Life is full of changes. We have days where everything seems to go right. We have days where everything seems to be falling apart. There are times that the sun shines bright, and there are times when the wind blows, rain falls, and clouds block our skies.

Stormy days have a way of unsettling us. No one likes to go through a storm. No one likes to have their world rocked beneath them. But, storms come to help us to grow. And, not all storms are bad.

In the Bible we have lots of examples of how storms can affect our lives.

Storms can come as a result of disobedience to God (sin). God decided to send a storm to cleanse the earth of sin. Only Noah, who was righteous in God's eyes was saved. Jonah ran straight into a storm that God caused because Jonah chose to run away from the call of God. It wasn't until Jonah volunteered to surrender his life that the storm quieted down.

But not all storms come as a result of sin.

A storm that Paul experienced also proved God's saving power. Even though the boat Paul was sailing on was completely destroyed, no one lost their lives and Paul was able to minister the gospel effectively to all that travelled with him.

Jesus used storms to point to the power of God as well. He showed the disciples that even the winds and the waves will obey words of faith. He showed Peter that you can even walk on water if you keep your eyes fixed on the Savior. Through Jesus' example we learn that we don't have to fear any storm that comes our way.

Maybe right now you are in the midst of a storm. Just because the winds may be blowing or the rain coming down, it doesn't mean that all is lost. This may be a signal that you need to ask God for forgiveness for a transgression that you did. Or it could be that you are going through a storm so someone else can see God's saving power. After you come through your storm unscathed, you'll be a better witness for the Kingdom.

Or, God may have possibly allowed your storm to come for you to use your faith. He may want you to grow in prayer or knowledge of His word. A storm may be just what you need to stand strong in the Lord and see what faith in Him can do.

So, yes, the wind blowing, rain falling, boat rocking, waves crashing, and dark skies may be the last thing that you want to experience. But God will never allow you to go through more than you can handle. There's a reason why you are going through the storm. Don't get so distracted with looking at the waves crashing around you that you start to sink. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and you will find yourself walking on solid ground while everything else is in chaos around you.

Verse of the Day: And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? Mark 4:37-40

Dealing With Defeat

It happens.

The loved one you were praying so hard for passes away. The promotion everybody knew you deserved gets handed to someone else. The weight you worked so hard to lose somehow crept its way back, and you're right back where you started. The man you thought was The One breaks up with you.

The pain of defeat can lead to anger, depression, denial, and doubt. Defeat can cause you to question your faith. It even has caused some to lose theirs.

Yet, defeat in one area can be God setting you up for greatness in another area. We can never know the intricate greatness of God's ultimate plan. We can, however, always take comfort knowing that God is working everything - even our defeats - out for our good. (Romans 8:28)

So, when defeat knocks on your door, take the pain and questions to the Lord. Instead of running from His presence in anger, run to His arms and allow Him to ease your angst.

Hannah spent years feeling defeated in her barrenness. It was when she took her sorrows to the Lord, that He turned things around, and she wound up giving birth to one of the greatest prophets that walked the earth. (1 Samuel 1, 2)

David lived in apparent defeat for years when he lived on the run with a bunch of deadbeats as his friends. Yet, God raised Him up to become the greatest king Israel has ever had. (1 Samuel 22)

Your story is not over. As long as you're breathing, you are still walking to purpose. Don't let defeat keep you from your promised end. Don't let today's pain keep you from tomorrow's joy.

Stay tuned in to your Heavenly Father. He's got you safe in His arms. He's working it all out for your good.

Verse of the Day: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57, 58

Plus One

There are many moments in life where you will feel all alone. Sometimes the trials of life, pressures of responsibility, confusion in communication, or other odd things can put us at odds with the world around us. Human beings have a way of pulling away from things that they don't understand.

Feeling like no one cares about you or that no one gets you is the worst feeling. You can't talk to anyone, and even if you try those people still don't get it. So, you're left on your own to yourself. You alone have to sift through your thoughts and find a way to make it through whatever it is you're facing.

But, what if I told you that you're not alone?

You aren't.

You have Someone who is always with you. And that Someone understands you and gets you. He identifies with everything you're facing, and He can help you make sense of it all.

You just have to turn to Him and allow Him to be there for you. His arms are already outstretched to you just waiting for you to embrace Him.

You're not alone. Even though man may have abandoned you on every side, Jesus is there regardless of what you've done, what you think, or what you're facing. He doesn't judge. He doesn't condescend.

He just loves.

Don't go through another day feeling lonely. Don't let yourself believe the lie that you have no one who cares about you.

There's Someone who cares. There's Someone who wants to help you. There's Someone who loves you so much. Let Him be there for you. You don't have to be alone.

Verse of the Day: ...lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20b

The Storm Is Going To End

Last Friday, Chicago was bombarded with its first major snowstorm. We got between six to eight inches across the city. The snow came down so fast, they couldn't plow it away fast enough! A drive that normally takes me 15 minutes took an hour and a half.

Today, it's a "balmy" 40 degrees in Chicago, and the snow that we all had to struggle to plow and shovel away has almost totally melted away. It's as if it never happened.

Right now you may be in the midst of a major storm in your life. The trial may be pounding you so fast you might find it hard to recover or even react. What you normally find easy may be taking you much more time and effort to complete.

Don't let the storm knock you out! Don't let the trial have the upper hand. Remember that all storms eventually end. It will get better! The sun will shine again. You will feel its warm rays on your face again.

No matter how much the winds of life may blow, no matter how tired you are of slogging through hazardous roads, no matter how your body may ache from trying to clear away the problems you face... take courage and strength knowing that the Lord is bringing you to your expected end. He will not let you perish! He won't let you fall. He has great things in store for you.

So, you may have to bundle up a little more than normal. You may have to plan your route ahead of time and allow for extra time. Just know that you will reach your destination safely. You will hit your goal. And the sun is going to come out again.

Verse of the Day: ...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

No Time For Pain

Today I was in a little pain. I hate being in pain. So, I keep pain medication on me. Thank God for His revelations to mankind!

I said a prayer, took my pain pills, and waited. Those 30 minutes seemed like forever. But I was able to persevere because I knew that help was on the way.

The pains of life, however, are often not so simple.

God allows the pains life brings to happen in order for us to grow in our knowledge of Him and His love. He allows those times of pressure to give us opportunities to press into His presence. He lets the storm winds blow, so we can anchor ourselves more deeply in Him.

Sadly, we often want just a quick remedy. We want to say our little prayer for God's help, and see Him instantly come through for us. We want the pain to leave immediately.

It's true. No one likes to experience pain. No one wants to suffer heartache. Yet God does everything for a reason. Everything works according to His plan.

Sometimes He does give us immediate relief. More often than not, He chooses to move at a slower pace than what we would like. He has a higher plan for us, and that may be the only way to get us there.

So don't just look on the surface of what you are going through. Set your mind on the higher plain that your Heavenly Father is on, and look with the eyes of the Spirit.

He may be allowing the hurt to push you out of your comfort zone into the greater realm of His glory. He may be staying silent to bring you deeper into His Word to learn truths you would have never gone after otherwise.

Stay strong. Obviously God knows that you can handle it, or He would have never sent it in the first place.

Verse of the Day: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8, 9

Rising to the Challenge

Yesterday, I enjoyed a powerful message on resisting sickness and disease. It encouraged me in my continuing to stand strong in faith for my father's healing.

That same afternoon, my father had some challenges at home. In the midst of taking care of him, I grew frustrated and was about to have a moment. However, I remembered the words of the message. What was preached flashed through my mind, and I felt the Holy Spirit's nudge.

Here was the perfect opportunity to put what I had just learned into practice. Was I going to give in to the enemy, or was I going to resist him? As much as I enjoyed the sermon during the service, could I translate those encouraging words into my actual life?

It would have been so easy to get angry and give in to my frustrations. Slipping into a state of depression and sadness would not have been hard either. But I chose to rise to the challenge and stand on the word of God. Despite how the circumstances seemed to dictate opposite, I stood on the promise of God that my father is healed.

And the peace of God flooded my soul.

Don't let the enemy steal the word of God. Whatever the Lord has spoken to you, put it to use. Grab hold of it when troubles come. Put your faith to action in the midst of the storm. It's the only way that you will know without a shadow of doubt that the Word works.

Verse of the Day: What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? ...Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:14, 17

He Can Handle It

Please pray for your girl today. I am tired! I've kept waking up a couple times a night for the last few nights without being able to get back to sleep. Right now I'm counting down the hours til my lunch break, so I can go out to my car and get an hour's worth of sleep in.

Moving on...

--------

We are so blessed as children of God. We serve a God who is also our Father. As such, He takes a great interest in our well being, loves us, wants us to succeed, and helps us along the way. Our God is personal, caring about our every facet of life.

He cares so much that He told us to give Him our cares, and He would take care of them. (1 Peter 5:7) He doesn't want us walking around worried, insecure, or apprehensive. So, He will take any burden we carry off our hands. We just have to hand it over.

Are you carrying around any burdens? Is your heart sick with worry or fear?

There's no need for you to live that way. Your Heavenly Father will gladly take the load and remedy your situation. Why don't you give them over to Him?

Yes, you may have talked to God about it. You may have aired your issues and concerns in His ear. But did you leave your troubles with Him? Did you trust Him to take the information and figure it all out? Or did you pick up your burden again once you were finished speaking to continue to worry and fret about it?

We serve the God who holds all power in His hands! He knows the end from the beginning, and He can turn any situation around. Why not trust Him to handle your great quandaries?

We can only do so much. And what we can do is so very little. Give your burden to God. He won't leave you hanging. He won't forget you. He won't abandon you. He will answer your call.

Verse of the Day: He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15

The Fruit of Longsuffering

Did you know that one of the evidences that you are living in God's Spirit is that you are able to endure injury, trouble, or provocation long and patiently? That is the exact definition of longsuffering which is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

Just thinking on that shifts my entire outlook! A character trait that I'm supposed to have as a Christian is that I endure long periods of trouble. Could that be why all these things are swirling around me? Maybe God's trying to put some fruit of longsuffering on my tree!

When we encounter times of trials, we want God to fix things quick. We see it as our right as His children to ask Him to take away the pain and the suffering. We are king's kids! Nothing good should be withheld from us!

Yet, maybe those times of hurt and those times of heartache were allowed to foster the fruit of longsuffering in our lives. God may have allowed the pain to work on our patient trust in Him.

It's easy to trust someone that immediately responds, always has a ready word, and quickly moves on our behalf. It's much harder to wait - patiently - for someone to come through after we have asked (sometimes more than once) and a significant time period has elapsed.

Did they hear us the first time? Are they going to be able to fulfill the request? Do they even care? Can't they see that we're in trouble?!

All of those questions we should already have the answers to when it comes to our Heavenly Father. We should already know that he hears us, is able to help us, cares about us, and sees that we're hurting. Yet, it is in the times of extended trials that we are able to prove that to Him and to ourselves.

Can you continue to trust God in the midst of an extended trial? Do you have some fruit of longsuffering hanging from your spiritual tree?

As you continue to seek God concerning those issues that you are facing, allow Him to perfect the fruit of longsuffering in your life.

Verse of the Day: But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10

Rain, Rain Go Away?

This morning I woke up to clouds and rain... a-gain. Its been raining for days on end over here in Chicagoland. I would love to see a little sun and be able to feel a little warmth. It is supposed to be spring, right?

Walking in to work this morning, it was on the tip of my tongue to complain about all of this wet weather. Yet something stopped me. I thought about the One who's causing all the rain. There's a reason why He's keeping on the spout, who am I to question His direction?

The same can be said about our personal journeys through life. At times it may feel like our lives are continuously being stricken with rainclouds and storms. We may grow weary of our 'wet weather' and cry out to God for relief.

Our God never does anything on a whim. He doesn't do things 'just because' either. Our God is purposeful in His action, and works everything together for our ultimate good. We should trust that whatever winds He's allowing to blow in our lives will bring us to His purposed good place.

So, yes, you may be tired of putting on your rain boots and pulling out your umbrella. You may have grown tired of the gray skies and the rainy winds. You can still take comfort knowing that the One who is allowing those winds to blow also holds the power to make the sun shine and the skies clear. And this same God has your best interests at heart.

Be encouraged. It's all a part of His plan for your good.

Verse of the Day: Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. Job 36:26-28

I'm Okay With It

Right now, there are a lot of things in my life that I would love to change. Previously, I was seeking God's face consistently to show me how to change my situations. More recently, however, I have taken a page from Paul and am now asking God to teach me to be content where I am.

I believe that there is a reason for everything. God takes us through certain things to teach us lessons, allow us to grow, and give us experiences that only those directions could provide. Yet, sometimes I get so caught up in everything that I forget to look for the reasons behind them. I miss out on appreciating my spiritual growth during those times. I downplay the daily miracles that occur in the midst of the storms.

If I'm following God's will and staying true to His commands, I have to trust that He is leading me down the right paths. Under God's direction, I should be content knowing that He has my best interests in mind. However long the journey, however painful the climb, my heart should be at rest with the faith that God is bringing me to an expected end.

So, I'm asking God to teach me contentment. Instead of constantly looking for the breakthrough or the answered prayer, I'm asking God to show me how to look for the lesson and the building of my character. Sometimes knowing how strong you are becoming helps you to weather the storm just a bit longer. Seeing how much you've grown encourages you that you can grow a bit larger.

Whatever situation you're facing today, ask the Lord to give you peace about it. Allow Him to settle your heart and mind with the pace that He has you walking towards your deliverance. Be content with the place you are in now knowing that God is working it all together for your good!

Verse of the Day: ...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11b

Check Your Spiritual Inventory...

It's a new week! We have new mercies, a clean slate, and an opportunity to take on a fresh outlook.

Right now my heart is with the people of Japan. The devastation is so tragic and overwhelming, I cannot fathom how they will even begin to recover. I have certainly been keeping them and their leaders in my prayers. With so many things still ongoing, we should all continue to lift up their country before the Lord.

It's so easy to see these disasters on television, feel a tug of emotion and just keep going. We may stop and say a prayer, we may donate to a relief organization, or we may find some other way to get actively involved. However, it's times like this where I take a look at my personal life.

In addition to looking at practical things (emergency kits,  contingency plans, etc.), I more importantly take inventory of my spiritual state. If an epic tragedy came through my part of the world, how would my spiritual life stack up?

If I were swept away today, would I be satisfied with how I lived my life for the Father? If everything was falling apart around me, do I have enough Word on the inside to sustain me through the heartache? Do I have an overflow of that Word to share with someone else who doesn't know Jesus?

It's so easy to disconnect from things when they are so far away. If you've been paying attention, however, tragedy is knocking on the doors of many nations, states, cities, and communities. There is no guarantee that  your door (or mine) will never be approached.

So take some time today to take stock of your spiritual state. Take on the initiative to get whatever needs to be remedied right before God. Spend some time in His Word and before His throne letting Him pour into your spirit. You never know when you'll need those insights to spring up for you to use.

We have every opportunity to prepare ourselves. Don't just shrug it off for tomorrow. You very well might need it today.

Verse of the Day: This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:8