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.