I am Free!

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:31-32

Having faith is seemingly easy, until it is put to the test. What it comes down to is this: You have to know what you believe. And in order to do that, you have to take the time to learn what the truth is. Jesus is "the Way, the Truth and the Life." He is the one who stands in the gap for us. His teachings, the Word of God, are filled with the truth. Knowing this, and Him, will set you free. 

Are you set Free?

Change of Plans

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'  Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'"

Matthew 25:35-40

I was reading a wonderful devotion* this morning using this scripture, and it got me thinking about how often God has brought people into my life and I have totally missed it. Have I been so busy, and so self absorbed, that when He has been present I have walked right passed Him? I know I have. I get so caught up in life, and the most insignificant things, that I completely miss it. I want to allow those things to fall away, and set my sights and focus on God and the things He is doing in my life. I want to be aware of His presence through those He places in front of me. Not only would those people be blessed, I would be blessed. I want to give up my selfish desires and give of myself the way He has gifted me. Help me, Lord, to seek You, and be aware of those precious angels You send my way. 

* proverbs31.org "Interrupt Me" by Luann Prater

Contentment

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

Hebrews 13:5

It isn't easy to be content, especially in the world we live in. Every "voice" around us is telling us that we don't have enough or we don't have the right things, we don't look the right way, we don't have the right job, we don't have the right friends or we don't eat the right food. How are we ever suppose to feel content when we are bombarded with these messages? We turn off those voices, is what we do. We need to press in to the Lord and His Word. We turn our focus on being grateful, which in turn helps us to feel content. We don't always want to express gratitude when we don't like our circumstances, but I know from experience that when I am grateful anyway, my perspective changes and I experience His peace. For no matter the situation, He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us. How awesome is that?!?

I Can't Understand

"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

Ecclesiastes 11:5

How many times have I said "I don't understand, Lord?" Probably close to once a day, if I was being honest. I always try to make sense of things, and when things don't make sense it frustrates me. This is where trust comes back into the equation. I just have to trust that His will and plan for my life is good, that He is providing for me and taking care of all the details, that He is in control! I don't have to understand all of it, or any of it for that matter. If He didn't need my input to create the earth and all that is in it, then why do I think He can't take care of my life without my input? 

Giving in to Trust

"But blessed is the man who trust in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him."

Jeremiah 17:7

Does "trust" come naturally? I believe it does. A newborn infant trusts that her needs will be met, a toddler trusts that protection and comfort will be there when needed. Its when we feel that our trust has been broken that we struggle with it. Humans will break our trust, again and again. It is not easy to come back to a place of confident trust when that happens, but it can be done. It takes work. It takes choice. Everyday. 

But God has never, or will ever, break our trust. We can trust Him in all things. If we feel that He has broken our trust, we need to take a closer look at our expectations and motives. His plan, and actions, are for our best. Not to harm, but maybe they hurt a bit...or a lot. However, that trust has not been broken on His end. I struggle with this type of complete trust, but when I do give in to it, I experience the peace that passes all understanding and all seems right, even though it may not look that way through the earthly eyes viewing it. 

God is good. Always. No matter what. 

I want, and choose, to trust Him.

In Him, Always

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is is in Christ Jesus our LORD."

Romans 8:38-39

In Sarah Young's Jesus Calling devotion for today, she writes how God has invested Himself, His very Life in us. WOW! Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit dwells within us. He LIVES in us. Everyday. All the time. So, then, what can separate us from Him? Not a darn thing! So, when I get in those places where I question His plan, where I feel alone and anxious, I need to just review this verse and then rest in it. 

He is Risen!!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

1 Peter 1:3