Fully Committed

I don't blog enough... but when the Lord gives me a word very clearly, I try to blog about it so I can share it with you!

During my time with the Lord today I was reading 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 (Jesus Calling Devotion verse for today). And I just felt led to share with you...

These verses say this:

2 Chronicles 16:7-9

New Living Translation

At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram.  Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you. The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war.”

 

So, this really pierced my heart. I wondered, "am I fully committed to the Lord?"
How do I know? I want to be and I try to be. I think I am.

Then, as I asked these questions, the Lord let me to this thought in verse 7 "because you have put your trust in ___________ (for King Asa it was another King, but what is it for me? or for you?) INSTEAD of the Lord your God, you missed your chance to ___________ (to WHAT? What opportunities have I missed because I didn't trust in the Lord?).

What are things we put our trust in instead of the Lord? Money, people (spouses!), positions, jobs... I will share my heart with you a bit - for me, its money. I feel like "if we have enough money, we'll be secure." I know that is a lie. I pray every day, sometimes in each moment that I would trust in God alone. I remind myself often not to worry (Phil 4:6-9), to pray about everything and my God will provide all I need - HE is more than enough!! So, whatever it is for you, find some verses - some TRUTH - about that subject and trust in the LORD!! I hate to think what I have or could miss out on because I had lack of faith. I also pray that God will increase my faith and renew my mind with His word. 

I pray I will be fully committed. 

I love verse 9. It's not just that I be fully committed but that the Lord is searching me out to STRENGTHEN my heart AS I am fully committed to Him. That's so good. God is so good. 

I hope you are encouraged today! 

Trusting In Him,

Amanda

 

 

Gratitude and Joy

I feel like I am going to explode... So, instead, I am blogging.2013 has been amazing thus far. I chose a New Year's resolution that actually challenges me in a new way (vs lose weight, run more, etc...) I am reading one book a month. For someone who reads a lot, I'm sure this is that big of a deal for you, but it is a huge deal to me! I didn't even like reading. But, I noticed that I was in a place where I needed to rest more and do less. My mom pointed out to me that my need for everything to be neat/clean had increased and that I'd never been that way before. Not that I've ever been super messy or filthy but just needing everything to be perfect. So, I decided to challenge myself. During Hayes' nap time, I could clean for about 20 minutes (pick up toys and maybe one chore) then I had to read. For an hour or a chapter. Then, if time allowed, I could go back to whatever I wanted to do. This practice worked. I am more rested and surprisingly, the house is still clean.
My January book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, blessed my life in such an astounding way. I knew from different times with The Lord and in the Word that gratitude would be my theme this year. God has changed my heart and made me gracious. He has enabled me to see His gifts and praise Him for them. Carrie Cook, an extremely wise, God-fearing woman, taught me an incredible lesson early on in my marriage: when you are frustrated with a person find 3 things about that person (husband/friend) to be thankful for to God. Simple enough. And it works. Why? Because when I am thankful - I cannot be angry. Back to my book - it teaches thankfulness/graciousness in a way I needed more than I knew. That's an understatement. I can't explain how God opened my eyes and heart to receiving the truths in that book but I am so thankful for them. It's changed how I mother - I am more patient. It's changed how I pray, how I worship. How I love Seth and serve
him.

Joy. Joy has flooded my life. Maybe because having a mindset of thankfulness keeps me humble - it keeps me focused on my gracious God who loves me so much and wants joy for my life.

Trust goes with these gifts. As I am remembering to be thankful, receiving joy and being humbled - I REST in trusting
God. Maybe rest is my second theme. To stop being so busy and rest in Him.

I'm just overwhelmed by His love... And I hope I live with this feeling forever. Come Lord Jesus, come.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Faithful

God is faithful.

We have a class called Deeper at Crossgates and we watch the Chronological Bible Study that Donna Gaines leads at Bellevue. Last night she spoke on the Tabernacle and how it is a picture of Jesus, believers, and how we can approach and minister to God in prayer. One thing she said to do was ask God for an answer to a prayer need from His Word.

So, this morning, I used this approach in my time with God and asked Him for an answer to prayer needs in His Word.

I have to admit, when I saw that I would still be reading about allocation of land to the Israelites, I was a bit that skeptical that I would get anything from it today...

But, God is God -

Joshua 21:45: Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.

So, I am resting today that God will provide because He is faithful and everything He promises His children, will come true. Why should we ever worry/be anxious when God is sitting on His throne reigning still?

Here is the link to Donna Gaines videos if you have time - you will be amazed. Watch them all (not in one sitting - you'd be too overwhelmed!)  Make sure you start with week 1 - that will make more sense when you open the link : )


http://mediasuite.316networks.com/player.php?p=pa8l4p93

He is Good

I love the Chronological One Year Bible and right now we are reading about the land divisions/allotments given to each tribe of Israel. And while I know one day I will receive a word from the Lord about these boundaries... I am going to write about Jesus Calling today.

If you don't have a devotion - I highly recommend Jesus Calling. It amazes me how God uses it in my life and it is short, sweet and to filled with scripture. Even though it is March 28th today, look at March 26th if you happen to have this book.

The verses in Lamentations 3 were the ones that I just spent time reading over and over again today.

Lamentations 3:22-26

New Living Translation (NLT)

²² The faithful love of the Lord never ends!^[a]
    His mercies never cease.
²³ Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
²⁴ I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
    therefore, I will hope in him!”

²⁵ The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
    to those who search for him.
²⁶ So it is good to wait quietly
    for salvation from the Lord.

Isn't this good? His faithful love NEVER ends.... and His mercies never cease!! That is such good news for me today. I needed the reminder that He is faithful and that each morning, yes, each morning, his mercy is new to me. Whew! And lately, God has been showing me everywhere in scripture or just through song that He is good. So, search and depend on Him - for He is good!! So we get that? In whatever you are going through - He is still good. We may not want to believe that, but that doesn't make it not true. He is true - He is good! 

 

Still being tested...

So, in my last post I was so proud of myself for walking through a test and coming out stronger in my faith and without sinning in doubt/trust...

That was Thursday morning. I praised God all day long... and then Thursday night came. I do not usually get to go to the Movement since Hayes is a little older and won't fall asleep anywhere anymore. But, in God's grace, Hayes fell asleep at Melinda  Hand's home and off I went.

I walked into the Movement and straight to Seth. He was in a back room where he and band worship and pray before walking onto the stage to lead worship. As I aproached the door, I noticed the entire band standing in silence, all shocked. I had no idea what happened. Then, one of the guys whispered, Seth's guitar strap just broke and his guitar fell, and it, too, is broken.

What?

I panicked on the inside, not knowing how Seth would react. He seemed calmed, but I wasn't sure. He assured me it was "just a thing" and it "could be fixed". But, this sent me into a confused state - lots of feelings/questions/frustration. I remember thinking "No, no - my test is over. I came out faithful and stronger - no more testing!". And I lost it - I cried. A lot. But, I still did not want (deep down) to sin in my reaction. I wanted to trust God and remember that just that morning I had praised him for always being faithful and good. So,  grabbed a friend and poured all of it out on her. Then, another friend came to pray over me. And as she was, I felt the Lord letting me see what almost happened. See, just like Eve, Satan asked me if God was really good. And, I almost said, no - and sinned. But, in His rich grace and favor, He had me at the Movement, where Godly friends surrounded me in my moment of weakness and reminded me of how good He is and that He loves me.

So, I'm thankful again. And, so thankful for Godly friends that can lift me up when I want to doubt God's goodness. That can pray for me and help me when I'm hurting.

Psalm 116:5
How kind the Lord is! How good he is!
    So merciful, this God of ours!

Psalm 73:28
But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.


So, if you starting to doubt God's goodness, I urge to be reminded that He is. His word tells us He is. My life is a testimony that He is and I praise Him for that goodness.

Overwhelmed and in Awe

Today i am overwhelmed with God's goodness. Actually this past year of my life I've seen the Lord move in so many ways and been so humbled by his great love.

But let me share just about today.

As of Friday, I will be unemployed and Seth and I (as well as our friends and family) have been praying for God to open up whatever door He has for us. I knew from the beginning that this was a test of my faith as James 1:2-4 says

"² Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. ³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

So, I've considered this a test - a chance for my faith to be tested and grow! And it has. I knew early on that I could not complain or lack trust. I was reading in my Chronological One Year Bible in Numbers about the Israelites constantly complaining and worrying about how they would get water/food - complain about manna... etc... And they didn't trust God. And that was sin. So, I knew that in my life I couldn't complain or worry - Phil. 4:6-7:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. 

So... I've prayed and prayed... and thanked  A LOT.  And just as this verse promises, Seth and I have had God's peace, which does exceed anything I can understand. The world would tell me to worry and search for jobs and freak out - but I cannot. For my God is THE Provider. He is El Roi, the God who sees me. And He will Provide because He is Faithful.  So, how could I worry? How could I not trust him? He has never given us a risen to doubt - He has always been so good. Even in tough times, he proves to us that He is for us, not against us.

So, that was just the introduction to today's lesson.

Today, I opened up Jesus Calling and was overwhelmed. Let me just type some of today's reading out. If you don't read this devotion - you should. I HIGHLY recommend it. " I do my greatest works through people with grateful, trusting hearts" "As you walk with me through this day, practice trusting and thanks Me all along the way". The verses, though - were where I spent time praising God.

Phil. 4:4 (I am adding 5)

 ⁴ Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! ⁵ Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 

Psalm 95: 1-2 ( I added to verse 7)

Come, let us sing to the LORD!
      Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
 ² Let us come to him with thanksgiving.
      Let us sing psalms of praise to him.
 ³ For the LORD is a great God,
      a great King above all gods.
 ⁴ He holds in his hands the depths of the earth
      and the mightiest mountains.
 ⁵ The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
      His hands formed the dry land, too.  ⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down.
      Let us kneel before the LORD our maker,
    ⁷ for he is our God.
   We are the people he watches over,
      the flock under his care.

And Psalm 9:10
Those who know your name trust in you,
      for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

Amen!! Those how KNOW His name ( Jesus!!) trust him, because he does not abandon those who search for Him. I pray you KNOW Him. Because if you know Him, you have nothing to worry for, nothing to be anxious about - He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is so good. He is so loving.

I am in awe today - and I could go on... I didn't even get to what I read in my daily reading... but I will stop here. I pray you were encouraged and I pray you trust God today. 

Kindess to the Poor

Psalms 41: 1-3 

¹ Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!
      The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble.
 ² The Lord protects them
      and keeps them alive.
   He gives them prosperity in the land
      and rescues them from their enemies.
 ³ The Lord nurses them when they are sick
      and restores them to health.

I read this today, and was amazed at the promises of those who are kind to the poor.
1. The Lord rescues them when they are in trouble
2. The Lord protects them
3. The Lord keeps them alive.
4. He gives them prosperity in the land
5. He rescues them from their enemies
6. He nurses them when they are sick
7. He restores them to health.

All for kindness to the poor. Loving and caring for the poor is closer to the Lord's heart than I can ever imagine!! I saw a homeless man yesterday, and while his appearance made me sad, his situation was overwhemling - I didn't do anything to be kind to him. And I read this today...

Then, I think of the word "kind" and it takes me back to the Ruth Bible Study I was a part of this summer with some very godly, wise women. Kelly Minter, who wrote the study, said that the kindness in Ruth was the work "hesed" - which really translates more to grace, loving-kindness, favor... covenant loyalty. That someone who loves someone so much, seeks their best interests.. not just one's own. So, now I'm thinking in the terms of not just kindness to the poor - but hesed toward them. A loving kindness, with their best interests in mind.

Easy to say - but how will this change me? I'm praying through that. Its easy to say, and then move on and not let it effect my life - but I want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me... so, I pray I will have His heart for His people.