“You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 MSG
Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday video.
Thank you to my college roommate, Tara White, for being my videographer today. I am so blessed and thankful for friends that love and support me in the storms of life and sharpen me to help me “stay salty”.
““Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.” Matthew 5:13 MSG
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 NIV
My dogs love to been held. Abby, a Yorkshire Terrier, is truly a lap dog. Max, a 100-pound lab, thinks he is a lap dog. Both of them are most content when I finally sit down and they can settle down and rest in my lap. I believe when they are being held they feel loved, comforted, and safe.
Do you rest in the lap of Christ? Do you allow yourself to be held in His hands? This week I have been sharing about our responses to trials. I have found that during a storm, the lap of Christ is the best place you can go. When you are held by Christ, you are able to feel loved, comforted, and safe.
On this Freedom Friday I want you to consider letting go of feeling that you need to be in control. When you feel you have one obstacle after another and feel you can’t go on, surrender and fall in the lap of Christ. In times of struggle He wants to hold you close, just as you want to hold your family close when they are hurting. Releasing control and allowing Christ to hold you can give you the peace you are seeking.
Click here to listen to “Be Held” by Casting Crowns. As the song says, “And when you’re tired of fighting chained by your control, there’s freedom in surrender. Lay it down and let it go. You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held.”
“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 NIV
Did you know that there are actually benefits to fire? Under the right conditions and when controlled, fire is healthy for forests, fields, and grasslands. An article published by the California government states, “Fire removes low-growing underbrush, cleans the forest floor of debris, opens it up to sunlight, and nourishes the soil.” Click here to read the full article about the benefits of fire.
Today’s picture by Ray White almost looks like the sky is on fire. Yet, it is a new dawn rising, full of possibilities and blessings. Read the Message version of James 1:2-4:
“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” James 1:2-4 MSG
This Thankful Thursday I am able to thank God for the fires I walk through because I know God is walking through the fires with me and He has it all under control. I am trusting that although the heat may seem unbearable, on the other side of it I will be cleaned of debris, I will be opened up to the “Son” light, and my soul will be nourished.
Click here to listen to the song “Fires” by Jordan St. Cyr. Listen carefully to the words and draw strength from the promises shared. “When the smoke billows higher, oh and higher and it feels like I can barely breathe, I’ll walk through these fires ’cause You’re walking with me.”
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV
Worry: allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles.
I come from a long line of worriers. How about you? Is it your natural tendency to automatically worry?
As I have shared this week, I recently began a new trial and God is teaching me how to deal with worry. On this Worry-Free Wednesday I want to share some of God’s messages to me.
First of all, God directed me to put in place visual reminders to not worry. On the day this season began, my natural instinct of worry kicked in. I began going over all the “what if” scenarios in my head. I cried out to God for guidance and direction and as only He can, peace came in unexpected ways. As I scrolled through Facebook I landed on the Lysa Terkeurst post featured in today’s picture. Immediately God nudged me to start an album in the photos on my phone. I titled the album “worry” and as I run across encouragement for times of worry, I place it in the album. When I feel worry creeping back in I turn to the “worry” photo album for immediate solace.
Secondly, God reminded me of something I read years ago about turning our worries into prayers. I immediately began rephrasing the “what if” scenarios into prayers.
Lastly, I relied on the daily spiritual disciplines God has led me to put in place. I continued my morning routines of rising early to read devotions, pray, and write in my gratitude journal. Spending time with God and intentionally looking for things I am thankful for, even in the storm, has allowed me to change my focus from worry to praise. This practice has helped mold my attitude and outlook.
Although I am genetically dispositioned to worry, my Heavenly Father is teaching me how to truly be worry free. Our God is bigger than any troubles we face. After all, He has overcome the world!
“‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” John 16:33 NIV
“Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 NIV
What is your mindset this Testimony Tuesday? Are you ready and waiting to share your testimony with the people God places in your path today? Are you confident in sharing your journey or are you feeling unworthy because you are in the middle of a trial yourself? Is your own road foggy and unclear and as a result you feel you have nothing to share because you can’t see what is ahead?
Recently, I struggled with feelings of inadequacy in my ministry of writing for you. As I walk through my own trials and difficulties, I sometimes feel you would rather not hear from someone as unworthy as me. Then God reminds me, as only He can, that it is not my strength that I should rely on. It is not my ministry. It is not my testimony. It is God’s strength I should rely on. It is God’s ministry and God’s testimony and I am His vessel. And so are you.
When the road ahead is foggy, God will reveal bits and pieces of clarity as you need it. However, no matter what part of your journey you are on, you have something to share. God will equip you with all you need to testify to His faithfulness. The Holy Spirit will guide and direct your steps, if you will be willing to yield to the promptings God sends.
Click here to listen to the song, “Let Them See You” by Colton Dixon. The words of this song are in my daily prayer and May it also be your prayer as God prepares you to share your testimony daily.
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14 NIV
“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.’” Mark 1:9-11 ESV
Beloved: dearly loved.
Jesus was the beloved Son of God. You are also a beloved Child of God.
In yesterday’s post I discussed that we all have storms, struggles and difficulties, but God is with us every step of the way. On this Miraculous Monday, I want to remind you that no matter what faults or failures you may have, you are dearly loved by God. After all, you are created in the image of God! Go back to the beginning for proof.
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’” Genesis 1:26 ESV
God dearly loved Jesus. We dearly love Jesus. And God dearly loves us. We are His beloved, no matter what! Don’t let anyone tell you differently! What a miracle!
Click here to listen to “I Am Your Beloved” by Jonathan David Hesler. Pay special attention to the following lyrics.
“I am Your beloved. You have bought me with Your blood and on Your hand You’ve written out my name.”
Draw comfort from the words in the song that say, “Oh the One who knows me best is the One who loves me best.”
Do you believe you are a beloved child of God? Do you trust that your name is written on His hand? Do not let judgmental comments of others make you believe any differently about yourself. If you are suffering from self-doubt today, repeat to yourself, “I am a child of God. I am His beloved!”
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 NIV
We are fresh into a new year. Many of us are full of hope and excitement as we have set new goals or re-established routines or habits. However, in the middle of all the newness, there are still trials and tribulations.
Are you currently encountering a difficult time? Are you facing a storm? If so, what is your response? How are you reacting? Are you retreating, are you trying to avoid the issue, or are you walking towards it head-on?
In his poem “A Servant To Servants”, Robert Frost writes, “The best way out is always through.” As a Christian, my prayer is that as I face difficulties, I will face trials head on. I pray that instead of avoiding the storm, I will go through it as I hold on to the promises of God. Joshua 1:9 is one of those promises:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
If the new year has brought you a fresh set of issues to deal with, I encourage you to forge onward and face your trials head on. Hold on to the promises of God, and trust that He will never leave you or forsake you.
As you start your Sunday, Click here to listen to “You’re Gonna Be Ok” by Bethel Music. To me, it is like a love song from God, reassuring me that I will be ok, no matter what I face. May you also be encouraged by the words.
Click here to read the full poem, “A Servant To Servants” by Robert Frost.
