God's Got Something Better

Recently I've been mulling over an outcome of a situation in my life. The result was not what I wanted or expected, and I've been wrestling with it ever since.

I've gone over the what ifs and the how comes. The why mes and maybe ifs showed up too. I found myself thinking of ways the verdict could be overturned and daydreaming about 'miracle' resolutions.

Last night I believe I finally bumped into reason.

God allowed what happened to happen. He saw fit to let me go through what I experienced. Yes, it may not have been what I wanted, but He allowed it just the same. If God allowed it, I have to accept that it's part of His will, and yesterday it dawned on me that there is something better out there.

If God allowed that door to close, it must mean that there's something better for me! No matter how much I may have thought the old thing was perfect, clearly it was not. God allowed it to leave my life because there is something better. I just need to trust Him.

I may say I trust God, but my behavior these last few weeks showed differently. God can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that I can ask or think, so what's the use in me creating scenarios of what ifs and should haves? (Ephesians 3:20) I think I'll take His purpose over anything my brain can conjure up.

I give, Lord. I may not understand why it went down the way it did, but I trust that You wouldn't have allowed it if You didn't have something better lined up. Thanks for loving me enough to bring me to Your perfection.

Verse of the Day: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Change Starts With Me

I've been listening to my girl Joyce Meyer, and she has been preaching to me! This week she is airing some throwbacks, and the messages are on change.

Lately, my heart's cry has been for change. In every area of my life - literally - I see the need for change. My job, ministry, personal life... All of it is in need of a change.

However, in Joyce's messages, she made some good points. Often we cry out for change, but do nothing. Then we come back around the bend again, and complain about how things still need to change.

Change begins with us. When we cry out for change, that is an indicator for us to change something. Change is not just going to drop out of the sky simply because we recognized the need for it.

We have to change our thoughts, our behavior, our friends, whatever it may be, and it is our action that will spur the change that we seek. Even if all we can do is fast and pray about it, that is still a change in our behavior. Once we make the change in ourselves, we get in the position for God to work out the completion of that change. Joyce said it well: "When you do what you can, God will do what you cannot."

I have a lot of change that I'm seeking. Thus, I have a lot of things I need to get in motion. If I don't move, I really don't want the change. If I don't move, I really don't have a right to complain about how things are not the way I would like them to be. Change starts with me.

Verse of the Day: He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

Time to Let It Go

I like to think that I get along well with most people. There are very few folks who I don't care for right off the bat, and usually those folks turn out to have issues and cause problems. I like to think that my 'inner radar' saves me from a lot of drama. When it goes off, I pay attention.

However, living as long as I have, there are some people who have done me wrong or my family or my friends. Once you do me wrong, it's hard for me to let that go. I've been working on being more forgiving and letting go of grudges - or should I say, not creating any grudges.

Every now and then, something will happen that will cause me to remember things that happened a while ago, and I'll find myself still feeling anger and resentment toward a person who did me wrong. As much as I would like to think that I've moved on, I find that I still haven't fully forgiven others.

In those times, I take a moment to pray and ask God to give me a clean heart and a right spirit. (Psalm 51:10) I also pray for the individual who I felt wronged me and ask God to bless them. (Luke 6:28) Then I lay that situation on the altar for my heavenly Father to take care of. (1 Peter 5:7)

As we continue to grow, we must make sure that we are not neglecting our roots. We must make sure that old hurts and old grudges are not holding us back from new blessings. When the Holy Spirit reminds you of an area where things aren't right - even if it happened years ago - take some time to get your heart right with God. He's not bringing it back up just for you to have a moment of reflection, He wants you to have a moment of true growth.

Verse of the Day: I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10

Show Some Love

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Our church has been going through the study The Blessed Life, and it has truly been a blessing to me. We recently viewed a dvd where the minister asked the question "Who is first in your life?"

As Christians, most of our knee-jerk answers would be God. Yet, if we would take a close, honest look at our day-to-day activities and behavior, God is not anywhere near first at all.

We may acknowledge Him, pray, and even read our Bibles every now and then. However, those times are often significantly shorter and occur less frequently than the times we spend watching tv, partaking in our favorite hobbies, and doing all the other things that take up our time every day. Even if we get a surprise block of time, do we even think to give some to God? (Be honest!)

We serve a jealous God. He wants all of us. He knows that we have to work, take care of our families, and have time for ourselves. He understands that. He's looking at our hearts. Our hearts reveal what we truly love. Our hearts show where we've placed our devotion. Do our hearts reflect our spoken love for God? Or, are we just giving Him lip service?

Just a thought to kick off your week. Let's love on God in both word and deed this week. Remember, as we pour out our love on Him, He will pour out His love on us, and our God is a fabulous giver!

Verse of the Day: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21

Thanksgiving Friday!

This has been a fabulous week! Mostly, because it zoomed by, and the weekend is here again!

I'm excited because I get to meet my mentees tomorrow. I am really looking forward to serving as a mentor. It's something I always wanted to do.

I'm grateful for God's goodness this week. He is so good to me in so many ways! God answered a simple prayer that I prayed this week in such a profound way. I couldn't help but give Him praise because I knew that it was His hand moving in the situation.

I'm so glad I serve a God who loves me so much that He'll even bless me with the little things I desire.

Thanks is also due to God for letting my family know that He has not forgotten us. He gave my family encouragement this week where my father's healing is concerned. I'm glad to know that God is still working on the miracle, and that we will not be forsaken.

What are you thankful to God for this week? Make sure you say 'thank you' and give Him some praise! Have a great weekend!

Verse of the Day: Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Psalm 21:2

Your Words Have Power

Words hold power.

God Himself demonstrated this fact when He created the universe. He merely spoke and things became. When He created man, He fashioned a creature in His image and likeness giving Him dominion over the earth. One of man's first assignments was to name the creatures of the earth. Whatever Adam called the being, that is what it became known as.

Our words hold power. Many people recognize what positive speaking and thinking can do for a person's outlook, behavior, and destiny. How much more can be accomplished through speaking the Word of God!

I often remember the story of Abraham when God challenged him to sacrifice his only son. Abraham had waited years for Isaac to be born. Then God asked him to give him up as a test of Abraham's love for God.

In the midst of facing his greatest heartbreak, Abraham's mouth stayed in faith. Even as his son inquired where the animal was for the sacrifice, Abraham merely stated, "The Lord will provide the lamb for the offering." (Genesis 22:8)

He didn't sink down into fear or despair. He didn't rail in anger. Abraham stayed in the position of faith down to his very words. And God honored Abraham's faith-filled words by providing a ram in the bush sparing Isaac's life. (Genesis 22:13)

How often do we allow pressures, trials, and concerns to cloud our speech? When we go through trials, do we continue to speak the Word of God? Do our mouths consistently reflect the God that we serve?

Don't allow your circumstances to circumvent your positive speech. Stand in faith believing that God will do what He said and speak His words of life. Your very breakthrough might depend on the words that come out of your mouth!

Verse of the Day: The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness. Proverbs 10:32

That's Love!

I am noticing a trend going on in the world. A lot of people are validating their behavior (or other's behavior) on the simple basis that "God is love."

God is love so I can do what makes me happy regardless of what the Bible might say about it being wrong. God is love so why would He not want you to do whatever pleases you? God is love so however you choose to display your 'love' is okay with me since all love comes from God.

People have equated God with a jolly man in the sky that just wants us all to have a good time, do whatever we feel, and act in whatever manner brings us joy. No matter what the Word might say. Any rebuttal against apparent is viewed as judgment - and you know the Bible says we shouldn't judge others.

It makes no sense. How can you describe God in one verse? Yes, God is love, but He told us that if we loved Him we would keep His commandments. (John 14:15) And it's those very commands that people break while shouting that God is okay with it because He is love.

It reminds me when I was a kid. I had loving parents that wanted me to enjoy life and be happy. But their love hurt sometimes. They had rules in the house. They set boundaries. I couldn't just act any way I chose. And when I did get out of line, they disciplined me. That discipline hurt.

Despite the hurt, I knew they were still acting in love. No matter how unfair I thought their rules and boundaries were, I knew they were doing what was best for me (if not at the time, I realized it later).

So it is with our Heavenly Father. Yes, He is loving and wants us all to enjoy our lives and live in happiness. But He also set rules for us in His Word. He created boundaries for our behavior. He put guidelines in place to make sure that we had the best life possible. (Hebrews 12:6)

Yes, it may sting that we can't just do what we want, when we want, and how we want. However, there is a reason for it all far beyond what we can see. If we love God, we'll trust that He is guiding us correctly.

We do serve a God who is love. But if we love Him at all, we'll get to know what He wants from us and live accordingly.

Verse of the Day: Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 (NLT)