Totally Centered

~2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Here we see the Trinity at work in the believer’s life. The love of the Father is so great (John 3:16) that He sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sin. Salvation rests totally on Jesus Christ – there’s nothing we can do to earn it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) The only thing we need to do is to acknowledge this in our heart and repent from our ways. That is grace: unmerited favor. God’s love provided a way for us to be reconciled to Him by giving of Himself! What love – what provision!

My favorite part of this verse is the communion with the Holy Spirit! Noah Webster defines communion as “fellowship.” As I have communion with the Lord, I have fellowship with Him. I communicate with Him – I meditate on God’s love, grace, mercy, and His attributes. Doing so opens my heart to His nature. It helps me to know Him more intimately.

When I am weary, I fail miserably in this area. My thoughts, once again, revolve around my trial and circumstances. They are not dwelling on God’s attributes but they are dwelling on:

“Why is God allowing this in my life? Why won’t God take this away? Why me and not someone else?”

My communion with God has now become a one-way form of self-centered communication – it is no longer communion at all. It is like your child coming to you whining about something he feels is unfair.  I keep asking why instead of asking for His help through my suffering. Am I so different from the Apostle Paul in my feelings? Paul had a thorn in his side and he asked God to remove it three times. God’s response to Paul was:

~2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

As I commune with God and express the sorrows of my heart, He provides me with just the right amount of grace I need to go through that very moment. As with Paul, God may not take away my problem, but He does promise me that His grace is sufficient. He comforts my heart – He gives me strength to carry on – He showers me with His love, peace and comfort.

God’s strength is revealed through us during our trials. When others see my faith in action during a trial, it becomes a testimony to them of God’s power in my life. Yes, there have been times that the Lord has removed my trial from me and I have given Him the glory. Others witness my joy and their faith is increased. However, I believe that there is more impact in their lives when they see my faith in action when a trial is not removed. When we continue to rejoice in the Lord despite our circumstances, this testimony has greater impact. They actually see that God is carrying us through. It reminds me of the “Footprints in the Sand” story. God desires to help us through our trials and to even carry us. I’ve been carried by Him, haven’t you?

My communion with the Holy Spirit brings much benefit to my spiritual walk. He instructs me, He speaks to me through His word, He encourages my weary heart and He lifts me up (Psalm 121). I now understand how the Apostle Paul was able to continue preaching the Gospel. He probably asked God to remove his thorn so he could better serve Him. As much as that sounds like a Christ-centered request, the Father said that He would receive more glory  through Paul’s afflictions than without them. Paul’s relationship with God grew sweeter – it forced him to fully rely on God’s grace for each moment. We may think we know what is best for us but God’s ultimate goal always has our best interest.

When we reach this point in our spiritual walk, we can overcome weariness. Weariness is the result of trying to change our circumstances and failing. When we acknowledge that we cannot change them and fully rely on the grace of God to help us through, our focus is removed from our circumstances and instead placed on God. We now see that it has nothing to do with us, but everything to do with God. Rather than look at my trials with discouragement, I can now look at my trials with different eyes – I can see that through these trials, God will ultimately receive the glory and, as a result, will draw another closer to Him.

Is this not what Christ called us to do?

~2 Corinthians 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Everyone of us has this ministry in life. We are to reconcile the unbeliever to God by sharing the Gospel. We are to reconcile the wayward believer to Christ by being a spiritual mentor. When we see ourselves in this ministry, we understand how God takes our trials and uses them to help others. We find purpose for our lives. Weariness brings lies. We believe that because we are so sick, God cannot use us. Those are the devil’s lies. He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and he is quite effective. But the weary Christian does not need to fall for those lies. Remembering that our ministry, sick or not, is to reconcile others to God, we now see ourselves with purpose in our lives! There is no greater joy in a believer’s heart than to know that God is using him for His work!

Press on, my friend!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Encouragement

When I am weary of well doing, I need to remind myself of just who God is. He is not mere man. Man can let us down but God will never let us down.

God created us in His image with a desire to fellowship with Him. Without salvation, we cannot fellowship with God. Prior to salvation, man feels empty within. Man feels as though there is something missing in his life. That is why he is always in pursuit of happiness and joy. He does not find this joy until the fellowship with God is restored.

~Psalm 121:1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

This Psalm is one of my favorites. It reveals to me man’s attempt to seek after God and God’s reward for doing so.

The Psalmist knew that his God could help him with anything. This verse reminded me of when we were fighting as children saying, “My Dad is bigger than your Dad!” David says His God is the Creator of the universe and will surely help him!

~Psalm 121:2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

It is one thing to believe in God but quite another to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will help you. How does God help us? As I meditated on this Psalm, I realized that the Father helps us in every aspect of our lives:

~Psalm 121:3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Since God never sleeps, we can be assured that He will assist us in our spiritual walk if we allow Him. That is the most important thing for a believer. When we are walking with the Lord, all things are “right” in life. Even the hurdles are easier and manageable because He is guiding.

~Psalm 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

It’s as if the Psalmist wanted to emphasize this point. God is not human that He tires and needs to take a nap. He is always standing watch over us. What comfort! Not only is God watching over us, but He is the same God that has cared for Israel these thousands of years! It almost seems like a resume to me!

~Psalm 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Not only is this the God who cares for Israel, but He is our keeper! When things get “hot” in life with struggles and cares, our God will provide us with the same kind of care as He promised in Psalm 23 as our Shepherd! What a blessing!

~Psalm 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of the sun, moon and entire universe, will not allow us to be defeated – both day and night! We are His children – born into His family through the precious blood of His Son, Jesus Christ! We have a promise that our Heavenly Father is faithfully watching over us!

~Psalm 121:7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

~Psalm 121:8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

The best thing ever is to know that our Heavenly Father has our salvation preserved for all time. The born again believer does not need to worry about his salvation because it is not in the hands of a mere man. Our salvation is in the hands of the God who never sleeps, my friend! Who can take it away from God?

No matter where we go in life, we can rest assured that the Father is right there with us preserving every step. The steps we take (as in verse 3) are watched by God. He monitors our lives and is way ahead of us. He knows where we are going and He knows what lies ahead. We do not need to worry because He will guide us. When we are in sweet fellowship with God and we stay in tune with Him through His word, we are going to be protected.

I am not saying that we will never go through trials. It is through trials that we are shaped into the vessel that God can use. What I am saying is that God will protect us and surround us with His love as we go through the trial. What blessing is that? The weary Christian can rest assured that the Creator of the Universe, the God of Israel, is the same God that will walk along side of him. This same God is the One who loves you and will care for you in those difficult times!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Dealing With Weariness

Weariness … when does it begin? How do we get ourselves in this state? It is when I am thoroughly absorbed with myself that I fail to remember what the Lord has taught me in His word. I use to think back on my difficult circumstances and only recall the negative details. I wouldn’t try to recall the good that came out of that trial. I find that I am not alone in this. Why is that?

I truly believe my problem resulted because I did not praise God enough for carrying me through my difficulties. The Scriptures say to be thankful in all things – (1 Thessalonians 5:18) that includes hardships as well as blessings.

The phrase, giving thanks, appears five times in God’s word. I find that interesting – we reap God’s grace when we give thanks to Him for all things in our lives – whether good or bad. It’s all in our attitude. I once heard a message called “The attitude of gratitude.” It surely does apply in today’s devotional.

~Ezra 3:11 And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid.

~Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

~Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

~Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

~Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Once I learned to thank God for everything that was happening to me (good or bad), I became less absorbed with the details. I was able to rest in the Lord knowing that He was in control. This held especially true when my husband was diagnosed with colon cancer.

I remembered that God brought me through my previous difficulties and He would do it again. I would think of Him first as soon as I grew weary again. David is truly my mentor when it comes to growing weary as a Christian. David wasn’t exempt from weariness – in fact, he openly admitted it and wrote about it. As a writer, I find myself better able to cope with my weariness when I am able to put my thoughts on paper. It is as if the Lord speaks to me and walks beside me down this path.

~Psalm 6:6-9 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. (6) Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. (7) Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. ( 8 ) The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. (9)

David’s bed was covered with tears – not just a few, but covered. I’ve been there, haven’t you? There doesn’t seem to be an answer to my problem. In fact, I know for a fact there isn’t an earthly solution. However, I know that God has the solution. It may not be the answer I want but it will be the solution I need. God’s solution may not even take away my problem. However, as I meditate in His word, I come to realize that my Heavenly Father will give me the ability and energy to deal with my situation.

Our weariness has an end to it my friend, if we allow the Lord to do the healing.

~Psalm 30:5 … weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

The first thing I tend to do when I grow weary is to withdraw from the world. I tell myself that no one wants to be around sadness so I keep it to myself. David felt this way, also, but he did the exact opposite.

~Psalm 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.

When you are weary, dear friend, do not withdraw!  Withdrawing is exactly what the devil would have you to do. When you do, he can keep you in his grip. He can keep you down in the Slough of Despond, as Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress. The devil does not play fair. (1 Peter 5:8) He knows how to create an ineffective Christian and that is to keep that Christian preoccupied with trials and tribulations. But the Lord has made us spiritually whole – He has given us eternal life. The Lord has given us victory over this trial, as long as we trust in Him and allow Him to be in control. We cannot sit idly by and wallow in self pity. We must arise as Aeneas did in the Book of Acts and make our bed.

~Acts 9:34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

Just as Jesus Christ made Aeneas whole, so does Christ make us whole, spiritually. Just as Aeneas arose immediately and put action to his healing, so must we. We must put action to our spiritual walk. You cannot walk and be still… you must move forward. Move forward, dear Christian. When you are weary, thank the Lord for the circumstances in your life. Know that He will bring you through and give you just the right amount of grace you need to carry on.

Keep going – Press forward!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Lord, I’m So Weary!

 

~Jude 20-23 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (20) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (21) And of some have compassion, making a difference: (22)

Weariness does not occur overnight. It is a compilation of day-to-day hardships and stresses that grow from a little to almost overwhelming us.

Jude encourages us to build ourselves in our faith praying in the Holy Spirit. Many times we think we know God’s will but we do not pray seeking His will. Jude assures us that our faith will be built as we pray in the Spirit seeking the will of the Father.  This isn’t some “cosmic” experience.  Since the believer has the Holy Spirit residing within him, the believer must be sensitive to God’s direction as He leads us.  Bible reading, praying, studying the word of God are all ways that the Spirit uses to communicate.  This is a simple and basic example but it makes a point:  Let’s say you’re praying for God to provide you with a Cadillac.  God knows you need a car.  So the Holy Spirit communicates to the Father exactly what you really do need.  So the Father provides you with a car that’s more in line with your finances  I know it’s simple but it conveys how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us to our Heavenly Father.

God’s love came to us with great mercy. We do not deserve His love but He gives it to us freely. As much as we are sinners, God loves us despite of this and offered His Son.  (Romans 5:8) Could you do that for someone you did not even know? More importantly, could you do that for someone you did not even like? Mercy is love in action and, therefore, if we have mercy on the unlovable, we keep ourselves in the center of God’s love.  (Matthew 25:40)

It is one thing to have compassion for someone, but when that compassion has feet attached to it, it becomes compassion that makes a difference. You can see someone who needs help and feel compassion. However, Jude says to have compassion which makes a difference in someone’s life – which means when you see someone in need of help, you are the one that helps.

As a result of working with these building blocks, the believer is concentrating on someone else. The weary believer now has his eyes on another and not on himself. What a wonderful balm to place on a weary heart!

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Alone?

As Christians, we should have the joy of our salvation ever present in our lives. However, I find myself weary of well doing – weary of fighting the battle – weary because of ill health. When I rest in this long enough, I go down the path of feeling of alone. People are all around me, yet I feel alone.

I am not the type of person who stays discouraged long. I praise the Lord, God Almighty for pulling me out of “myself” early. Yes, “myself” – because it is not the Lord who changes – I am the one who changes. How I view my circumstances totally depends on my walk with the Lord.

Feeling alone is not wrong. In fact, it is at these times that we turn to God and He has our undivided attention. It is then that I am still and in listening mode. Although I have people around me, I have felt all alone. But I am not the only person who has ever been in this position. David poured his heart out in Psalm 102 with these same feelings.

The Lord, Himself, was alone at times. I think of when His closest friends deserted Him and ran.

~Matthew 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

As if this wasn’t bad enough, the Heavenly Father forsook Christ when He hung on the cross and all of mankinds’ sin was laid on Him.

~Matthew 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Our Saviour died alone on that cross. Have my feelings of being alone been as overwhelming as my Saviour’s? Mine don’t even compare to what Christ went through. The Lord understands my feelings – He knows what I am going through because He has been through them as well.

~Hebrews 2:18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

I love the word “succour” – Noah Webster defines it as:

Literally, to run to, or run to support; hence, to help or relieve when in difficulty, want or distress; to assist and deliver from suffering; as, to succor a besieged city; to succor prisoners.

Do you feel alone today? Jesus Christ, your Saviour desires to run to you to support you, help you and relieve you during your time of distress. Just as you would run to a friend and cry for help, turn to the Lord and ask Him. Who can help us better than the Lord?

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Encourage Me Lord!

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 (KJV)

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 (KJV)

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Romans 8:32 (KJV)

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-4 (KJV)

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6 (KJV)

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Ephesians 3:20 (KJV)

Encouragement through God’s Word

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psalms 46:1-3,7 (KJV)

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7 (KJV)

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalms 16:8 (KJV)

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalms 55:22 (KJV)

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. 7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Psalms 62:6-7 (KJV)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7 (KJV)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3-4 (KJV)

Got Hope?

~Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ( 8 ) Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. (9)

It has been my experience that weariness can be the result of what my eyes rest upon. As I was in Psalms this morning, I noticed that God was David’s priority (vs. 8 ). This verse says that he placed God always before him.

As well, David continued to say that God was at his right hand. The right hand was and is still considered the stronger hand for most people. As I see it, if I keep God in the proper position in my life, God will be on my strong side. God will keep me from falling.

The end result of this assurance and security produces a glad heart within – my spirit is glad and I can rejoice because of this assurance and security. Therefore, my heart/my spirit is glad and I am able to physically rest. We all know how stress harms us physically. It affects our heart, our blood pressure, etc. However, if I keep God always before me – I have assurance and security – He is my strength, even when this cancer trial has left me weak – I keep that stress from affecting me physically.

I found a cure in these two verses today – I must set my priorities! God must be first – God must be the center of my life – God must be my focus.

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures, which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Do You Hear Me Lord?

~Psalm 120:1 A Song of degrees. In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.

This verse encourages the believer that despite our weariness, we can know that when we cry out to the Lord, He will hear us!

The Christian is not alone, even in the darkest of situations.

~Psalm 139:7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

No matter how discouraged or weary we get, the Lord is always there – He knows what we are going through – He promises to hear our cries and provide us with exactly what we need to make it through our trial. He will lift us up in times when we are overwhelmed by life. At times He even carries us through.

Some of you are battling cancer; some are battling chronic illnesses; and others are battling broken homes. You are not alone! Do not be weary. Know that your Heavenly Father will never leave you.

~Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

I am always encouraged when I know that I am not alone and that there is someone to share my burden with. The Lord desires to carry our burdens for us – He desires that we turn to Him when we are at the end of our rope.

~Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Our Lord and Saviour promises us rest from our burdens and cares. Christian, turn to the only One who can truly help you when you are weary. Don’t give in to Satan’s attempts to drag you down. Don’t give in to his lies that God does not hear you.

~Psalm 121:1 A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

The picture above was taken by Carol Meyers and used here with her permission. She has traveled to some of the most beautiful places in the world and has captured so many pictures which depict peace and tranquility. Thank you, Carol, for allowing me this opportunity to use your work!

Praises

Psalm 113

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. 3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’S name is to be praised. 4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, 6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! 7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; 8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. 9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

After 11 years of marriage and begging the Lord for a child, I came to the realization that I would not have the privilege of being a mother. I use to question the Lord – why aren’t You giving us a child? Your word says that one is blessed if she has a quiver full of children. Today’s text was always a tough pill for me to swallow and I would wonder why I couldn’t claim that verse for me. I finally resolved to the fact that my ways are not God’s ways, that He had a reason and I would trust Him. I can remember reading the following verses and deciding that I would make these my “life” verses:

~Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

If I wasn’t to be a mother, then I decided to redirect my thoughts. My thoughts were consumed with having a baby and they should have been consumed with trusting God and not dwelling on my lot in life.

Verse 6 gave me the guidance that I needed: in all my ways I was to acknowledge God. Acknowledge God? In what way? I believe that the Lord wants us to fully trust Him for every area of our lives. I also believe that He wants us to realize that He is the God of all creation and our Heavenly Father – His way, His path, is perfect for us. The Lord Jesus Christ taught us how to petition our Heavenly Father:

~Luke 11:2-4 When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. That’s it! It’s not my plans that I should be seeking after but God’s will. I remember praying day after day, “Lord, please bless me with a child!” After that, I was praying, “Lord, if I’m not to have a child, please show me what You would have me to do.” My focus turned from my circumstances to Him.

Why am I sharing this with you this morning? There may be someone reading that needs encouragement today. You may be disappointed that God has not given you what you thought was the desire of your heart. Today’s text reminds us that we are to praise Him in all things, whether they are blessings from Him or an answer of “no” to our petitions. The Lord desires to direct our paths. In fact, Proverbs 3:6 says that when we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He shall direct our paths.

At that point in my life, I had acknowledged that motherhood was not to be one of my many hats. I remember telling God, “OK, Lord, I’m over it. I have peace over this matter. Show me Your way.” The end of this story is that I was pregnant not too long thereafter and was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. Four years later, he blessed me again with another boy!

Is this to be the same ending for you? Maybe, maybe not. The point is that we are to praise the Lord for all things. Our circumstances may not be what we had hoped for but they are what they are. We must learn to accept God’s will for us. Granted, we may not be happy about it, but once we begin to praise Him, as in today’s text, we see there are so many things for which to be grateful! Our thought life changes from the negative circumstances to thoughts of hope for what is in store for us!

Maybe you feel you’ve been cheated in life – your health is bad, you’re childless, your spouse is not who you thought you married, you’re going through financial troubles, etc. I don’t mean to be harsh but, get over it and move forward in your walk with the Lord! He knows you’re disappointed – He knows you’re hurt.  Let Him direct you!

Heavenly Father, I thank You for always being watchful. Who am I that You would be mindful of me!? I’m so grateful that the Lord Jesus Christ’s blood covers me and that I can come to You as a child to her Daddy. I can’t even begin to thank You for all that You have done for me. Whatever Your will is for my life, may I accept it and live it in a manner that brings you honor and glory! For it’s in the Lord Jesus’ precious name I pray! Amen!