I am in an art class and the last few weeks the project has been two point perspective. My drawing is basically like a vanishing city landscape. It is one of the more complex projects I guess.
But I did not see it as complex. In fact, I thought I wasn’t doing enough until one of the kids looked over his shoulder, saw my artwork, and said, “How much extra stuff are you adding. That must have been so hard.”
To me it looked like the simplest thing ever. I remembered each tiny thing I did, and it didn’t seem hard. But then I looked at it in a different perspective. “I would never be able to do something like this. How? That’s so hard.”
I realized this is exactly what we do.
God is an artist, and His artwork is unknown to us. It is a work that is not finished, but He knows exactly how it is going to look when He does finish. It is the ultimate masterpiece.
Everyone’s life is the little tiny details. The things that make it so complex, so beautiful, and without them it would be dull.
Don’t question whether you are valuable or not. God chose you to be a part of his masterpiece. He knows everything about you.
And the details are necessary, so don’t think that God doesn’t love you.
To us all we see is the whole masterpiece not the beauty of the details. We don’t think we are important, or that you have to be something out of this world to be important in his masterpiece.
But God plans you and knows you perfectly, so why bother trying to change your life instead of living it to its fullest by serving Jesus.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Let’s become love starting today. What does that mean anyways? We have an amazing God who exemplifies love in every aspect of His nature. Many of us know that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In fact, God committed the ultimate act of love for us. He took on human flesh and walked this earth to take on the penalty of our sins. We don’t deserve such great love and kindness. God loves us unconditionally regardless of our shameful tendencies and backgrounds. Jesus actually tells us to be a reflection of Him and to love our enemies. Loving others is loving God.
Let’s become love in a world full of setbacks and difficult people as Bob Goff communicates in his book, Everybody Always. Loving each other is what we are meant to do and how we were made to function. Will this be uncomfortable and messy at times? Absolutely. Use Jesus as your motivation and guide.
Loving your neighbor is more than just keeping easy relationships. Loving your neighbor means getting out of your comfort zone to love those who are different from you. Yes, even those who are particularly difficult to love. This will take a great amount of patience and humility, and you may be misunderstood at times. Talk to God about it and find encouragement in His word. Keep going.
Love others the way Jesus loves you. Let’s become love today.
Have you ever wondered “How long Lord? How long?” You may be praying about certain things, relationships, or situations but nothing is happening. Many of us have thought this or have felt this way, so you are in good company!
Even the Psalmist, King David, felt this way and shared his feelings in Psalm 13. There is always something happening whether we see it or not. God is always at work and he never sleeps or slumbers. It’s often during the waiting seasons that our growth happens. Patience has its perfect work in us and our faith increases during these times. Our spiritual muscles get stronger as we praise our way through.
One of the most important things we can do while we wait is to live fully present in each day. Jesus told us to not worry about tomorrow or be distracted by focusing on future concerns. Instead he wants us to live each day abundantly, experiencing and doing all he has for us. Each day is a gift that God gives us to rejoice in and praise him. Some practical things we can do each day to keep our focus on the Lord while staying in peace and joy are:
Set a specific time each morning to spend time with the Lord.
Use a clock, alarm or timer to help you stay on track.
Have a time of worship, prayer and Bible study during this time.
Don’t complicate it! Example: set 5-10 minutes for worship, 5-10 minutes for prayer, 5-10 minutes for Bible study.
Use tools like the Bible app for Bible study or Spotify for worship music to help you get started.
Listen for the Lord to speak to you. Don’t just talk at him.
Do this before you open social media, text messages or email in the morning.
Don’t get discouraged if it takes you a bit to get in a routine.
The Lord said he has given us everything we need for life and godliness, so ask him help you focus and make time with him a priority. Always remember to thank the Lord throughout the day for all he is doing and has done in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of all the things Jesus has said and to lead you each day. Lastly, remind yourself daily and anytime you feel overwhelmed or discouraged that God has never lost a battle, he is faithful in all his ways, nothing is impossible for him and no word from God has ever failed.
Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with his peace and joy, and that you abide in hope for he who promised is faithful!
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. ~ Psalms 13:5-6
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:34
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~ James 1:2-4
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ~ John 10:10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing. ~ Psalms 34:4-9
About four years ago my family decided to get our certification in scuba diving together. The course consisted of some challenging exercises, but the most challenging was navigating underwater. My sister and I were dive partners and were told that one of us would need to be the navigator (legit compass and all) and the other was responsible for making sure we were swimming in the right direction. You can imagine my confusion since there are apparently no google maps underwater!
My sister and I decided that we didn’t need the compass and we could probably make it to the destination without it. So we began the exercise and we were killing it. All I’m saying is Micheal Phelps would have had some competition. However, when we thought we had completely aced the test, well you know how that went. We were way off course and not even close to the right spot.
When I think of this story I often laugh at how naive we were for thinking that we did not need the one tool that was given to us to help us reach our destination. How many times in our lives do we think yeah I don’t need that compass, I don’t need to know what the Word says, I know where I’m heading, I’m going straight. I got this. I can do it on my own.
And then at some point the waves and the temptations start to ever so slightly turn us and we aren’t even heading straight anymore. But we don’t even notice until we’re up out of the water, so far off course, and we wonder “how did I even get here?”
Ephesians 6:11 says to “put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.” Ephesians 6:17 says, “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God.”
It is a battle both won and ongoing and we were made to fight, but not with our own armor and weapon. We are made to fight with the armor of our King Jesus.
So often the Holy Spirit will speak to my heart through music. It might be a song I’ve heard hundreds of times before, but it comes on the radio and I hear the lyrics at just the right moment.
Yesterday a friend randomly sent me a link to: Reckless Love by Corey Asbury:
“Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me.
You have been so, so good to me.
Before I took a breath You breathed your life in me.
You have been so, so kind to me.
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God.”
I have been reading the story of Esther. It was one of my favorites as a little girl. God’s chosen people (the Isrealites) are in captivity, experiencing God’s judgement and people hate them. One powerful man hates them so much he makes an awful law that will allow the Isrealites to be slaughtered. But one of the Isrealite girls – an orphan being raised by her uncle- is chosen in a beauty contest to be the new queen, Esther. She and her uncle have an important conversation in chapter 4…
Esther ch 4 vs13-16 “Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.”
I love Mordecai’s profession of faith. He believed God would keep the promises he made to Abraham and preserve his chosen people, and then Mordecai invited Esther to risk her life and play the part God had ordained for her. I love that Esther was terrified. She knew she needed to fear God over man. She knew that He was ultimately in control… but she was still afraid and asked everyone to spend the next 3 days fasting and praying. Even once she got into the presence of the king she delayed the hard conversation. As a child I admired her beautiful bravery… as an adult I admire how she surrendered her life, her fear, her comfort and security. She put it all in God’s hands and obeyed, and he used a young girl to save a nation.
Sisters and Brothers, our sovereign creator placed us on earth to live and serve him NOW. He makes no mistakes. He is never surprised. He is working around us to seek and save the lost and inviting us to play a part in history by bringing Him glory. He spoke over you before you were created and he has placed you here – for such a time as this.
He may ask you to surrender: your hopes and dreams, your wealth, your comfort, your pride, even your life. We certainly have a legacy of sacrifice. But he will be faithful to fulfill his promise to us. He will replace our doubts and fears with supernatural peace. He will fill our hearts with joy even when nothing in our world makes any sense- like Esther probably felt too. We can praise Him in every situation and thank him for choosing us to fulfill his sovereign purpose.
Don’t miss out!
Don’t be too busy, or comfortable, or terrified to be included in the work God is doing in our time. And if you need a girl to fast and pray with you – you just let me know.
First of all whose standards are you trying to measure up to?
Yours? Unobtainable.
Hers? Unreasonable.
His? Impracticable.
The worlds? Impossible.
I fall short.
And I’m not being mean – because you know that’s not who I am – but you fall short, too.
[We] will never be:
Smart enough
Savvy enough
Pretty enough
Strong enough
Skinny enough
Rich enough
Talented enough
Good enough.
And the list goes on and on and on.
And on.
But.
Thank goodness we don’t have to gauge ourselves against anyone’s standards but God’s. Open His word and let Him speak to you. Let His words be the only truth that resonates in your soul from here on out.
▪️Psalm 139:14 tells me that I am wonderfully made.
▪️Proverbs 31:10 says that I am more precious than rubies.
▪️1 John 3:1 says that I am His child.
▪️John 3:16 tells me that my God loves me so much that He sent His son to die for me.
Somebody testify.
The truth of the matter is that when it comes to God’s measuring stick you will always be top-notch. And that, my sweet sisters in Christ, is all the measuring you’ll ever need.
I think every day we wear shields or armor to hide the daily battles we deal with in our head and heart. The shields hide our anxieties, hurts, mental battles…..the list could go on. The past couple of years have shown all of us that going at it alone does not fair well for those who try.
Growing up my Mom use to say m, “God does not give us more than we can handle.” I’m sure many of you reading this have heard this saying or you said it out loud or in your head as you are reading this. One thing I think my Mom forgot to stress is that through my struggles I’ve always had a partner helping carry the weight, so it wouldn’t crush me. Faith!
Joshua 1:9 Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.
There were times where my faith faltered and I wasn’t sure that treading in deep water was ever going to end. I wore a smile and moved through the motions that life was okay – it was normal. I know you are thinking when is my positive point going to shine through. Well, it is when the skies aren’t showing a ray of sunshine that you remember you have the brightest light ready to lead the way! Turn to your faith and cast your fear, doubt, and anxiety to him.
His light will fill you with hope, encouragement, and strength. Above all, He will clear your mind from the doubt and replace it with a renewed spirit of hope. We all need hope and faith every day so that we may face whatever unfolds. Hold tight to your faith if you are struggling, and if you are not be the flashlight for others and help light up their hope and faith.
Psalm 18:28 For You light my lamp; The Lord my God illumines my darkness.
John 8:12 -I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
My faith is my flashlight! Have you charged your battery?
“If His grace is an ocean we’re all sinking” (How He Loves, Crowder)
“You nailed my debt to that old rugged cross, an empty slate, at the empty grave” (Homecoming, Bethel)
“Be my peace when I’m surrounded
For my fears will never scare
You Shatter the shame that I’ve been bound in
From insecure to brand new” (No Other
Love, Red Rocks Worship)
We often can’t grasp how much patience God has with us. He never says, “this is the last time I’ll put you back together.”
He is always there waiting with open arms. Having someone in our corner that will never leave us is the best comfort we could ask for. People fail us, and we have unrealistic expectations that cause us to get mad or lose trust in others and sometimes God. But He hears our cries, He waits to put us back together, He’s the father waiting for your return home meeting you halfway.
Reminding ourselves of how much we are loved is so important in our relationship with Christ because that’s what it is, a relationship, between 2 people who have fallen in love. One so much He gave His life for you. To know his love and know his peace allows us to love people the way He loves. It allows us to move through the troubles of life with certainty that we will get through it.
Proverbs 3:5-6 & 8
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths… It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
I found these verses as I was praying over a friend for healing and that they would know God’s peace and love, and I pray this same thing for you.
Like so many, the past year has been rough for our family. Especially in the area of mental health. There were days when all we could do was cling to Jesus. Many days all I could do was cry out and be thankful for Romans 8:26-27
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
We are mostly on the other side of those issues. Cue Gloria Estefan’s “Coming Out Of the Dark”. I thank God for the care of some awesome school and professional counselors.
And, as is so often the case, I can look back and see God’s tender mercies. His constant protection. And His provision working through the generosity of others. So many people came along side us and I can never say thank you enough. So many things I had to say and ask for that were always met with love. Only God can create hearts like that.
On this side, I am throughly enjoying the growth the darkness brought. I see so much maturity, empathy, care and clarity. I see thriving. I see confidence and no compromise. I see understand of self and others. I see choices that protect mental health and shuts down negativity. I see laughter and fun and friendship. Loneliness is gone. Only God can do that.
In Job 1, everything has been taken from Job. His children were dead. His animals, the source of his wealth were gone. Let’s see how Job reacted
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Job 1:20-22 NIV
Job mourned. Then he praised God. He trusted the Lord. Throughout most of Job, we hear Job’s friends giving him advice they think is from God. They urge him to repent of whatever sin has caused God’s wrath. Finally in chapter 38 God speaks. And I love it because I like to read it as God being kinda sassy.
““What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”
Job 38:19-21 NIV
For 2 chapters God goes on asking questions that establish His supremacy. There are things only He can do for reasons only He knows. And that’s His prerogative. He’s the creator, we are the creator. He’s the refiner, we are the refined.
When you’re going through a hard time, people like to say “everything happens for a reason”. Usually it doesn’t make you feel better. Sometimes it makes us downright mad. But I do believe it. I’ve gotten to the other side of so many terrible situations, and I can see God’s hand.
In the middle of the hard times, you have to preach the Gospel to yourself. You remind yourself of what God has done in the past. And trust that He’s loving and faithful.
God knows you and loves you. He sees your hurts and is working. He collects your tears. Cry out to him. Ask for help. Find a good counselor.
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
Rays of Sunshine inc 