“How long, Lord?”

In this Psalm David  says how long 4 times in the first two verses, indicating the depth of his distress. He expressed his feelings to God and found strength. through prayer we can express our feelings and talk our problems out with God. He helps us regain the right perspective, and this gives us peace.

 “O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? ~ Psalm 13:1

“How long, Lord?” Have you ever felt this way? “How long must my trial continue?” You are not alone. God’s people have always struggled with this feeling of God’s distance. But it’s precisely at these times that you need to cry out to God, not just moan to yourself (or others). Why is it God feels sometimes so far away? Imagine God keeps on helping you in everything. Will you still have faith. Faith is believing without seeing. Beware that you maybe going through a test of faith to see if you will hold on. If our parents take care of us closely forever, do you think we will mature, learn on our own. God is doing the same. He is letting us fall, so we know we need Him and so that we will mature. it’s like, instead of being spoon fed like a baby, we will learn how to eat on our own. This is what David said in this situation, he still trusts in God and rejoices in his salvation. Always trust in God even when you don’t get a reply, even when your world is crashing and rejoice. For we know that all things work together for good to those we love him, to those who are the called according to his purpose.(Romans 8:28)

 

I would appreciate your sharing this blog with others and I pray that it will encourage others in the Lord!  Have a Christ-centered day! Blessings ~ Fran

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What is Controlling your Life today, Fear or Faith?

“God did not give us a spirit that makes us fear or timidity but a spirit of power and love and self-control”  ~ 2 Timothy 1:7

We need to come to God by faith, and lay up every fear and worry at His feet. We may not be sure what this day has for us, but we do know that God is with us every step of the way. So when you get tempted to worry, please remember to trust Him. When fear attacks you choose to pray instead of panic, knowing He is your Lord and your Shepherd, and praise Him for His faithfulness in your life, even when you don’t understand and can’t see the next step.

The Lord commands us to fear not. But how many of us do fear, especially when it comes to the unknown. Fear and faith mix about as well as oil and water; yet we walk with the Lord, day after day, with both of these operating in our lives. The fact that God knows all about us, even to the number of hairs on each head, should give us great comfort as we step out into the unknown future He has laid out before us. Can you step into tomorrow without fear? Are you able to leave tomorrow untouched by anxiety or manipulation? The Lord would have us grow in faith as we discover what great value He has given us.  As our faith grows, our fear should diminish.  Which of these is controlling your life today, fear or faith?

The good news is what lies ahead is no surprise to God. In fact, He has already been where we are going, isn’t that encouraging to know. That reason alone empowers us to face every tomorrow with hope, knowing whatever touches us passes through His hands, with His permission. It is not God’s plan for us to dwell in fear or for fear to rule our lives. He has already set in motion the defeat and fall of every giant we will ever face in our lives. Our responsibility is to step through our fear, facing every giant in God’s power and with His promises. The Holy Spirit will guide the path of His truth to its destined mark, taking down the giant obstacles lurking in each tomorrow. 

He is the same yesterday, today and forever! As we face the days ahead we must put our trust in Almighty God, the Giant Killer. So then, my friends, I ask you, what is there to fear?

Have a wonderful day in the presence of the Lord. Please share this blog with others and I pray that it will encourage them in the Lord and I pray it will be inspiring to you as well!  Please visit me on Facebook.  God bless you!

God’s Way is Perfect!

God strengthens, protects, and guides us. He doesn’t promise to eliminate challenges, instead, He promises to give us strength to meet those challenges. “God’s way is perfect.. Often we make our own choices and decisions based on our will and desires, and then expect God to make up the difference of our inability or faithlessness, but that is not how this relationship works. God moves in response to our faith. Our faith is in God based on who He is not who we want Him to be at that moment.

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” Psalm 18:30-33

When driven by desperation and fear, our pursuit of God is void of faith and therefore ineffective. Our trust is faulty. In that moment, when leaping out in faith, we are not trusting God but avoiding His Plan. 

God’s Way will not be changed by our impatience or dissatisfaction. On the contrary, it will only hinder the blessing that God has waiting for His People. The journey is longer when people try their way first and then God’s. God’s Promise is not to make our way straight but He enables us to travel His Pathways to perfection. As our rescuer, all God is required to do is save us in our fall. The pain and devastation of the process is not always avoided. The humiliation of failure is not spared. God just promises to pick us up and set our feet on the rock once more.

So Why would you desire less than God’s Best today, His ways are perfect. It is waiting for you today along with every other Promise of God. We must do our best to follow God’s Way. He knows our imperfection. God is patient with those who love Him. He is our shield of protection when we try and fail. God strengthens the righteous to keep going when the road is long and weary. His chosen destination for His People is perfection, the very thing we strive for on the road to compromise only to become discouraged, disappointed and distressed. God will not lower His standards, but He will help you get to where He is. You can do all God said that you can do and be all that He said you can be, but it begins by heading in the right direction. Make obedience your pathway today. Choose good over evil and maintain your heading. Do not give up or give in to pride, but rather reach for Jesus and let Him be your strength. Enjoy every single Promise of God for your life.

The Gift of Faith!

So many people in this world today are hurting, lonely, desperate, and hopeless – and many of those people are Christians. Many people who say they are believers, still surrender to a life of pain and heartbreak, finding no reason for joy or hope. I think we are all guilty of feeling that way at some point in our lives, but the evidence of someone exhibiting in true faith, is that they choose not to stay in that pattern of defeat. Even Christians, who say they have faith, can live lives, or have attitudes, that do not portray that. When that is the case, is it possible that maybe they don’t really understand faith? Maybe they believe in God, but they do not fully trust Him and His sovereignty? Maybe they are having a hard time believing that God is good, because they are basing their faith on proof, not blind faith? Maybe they don’t really understand the power of prayer? Never would I claim to be an expert on faith. But I just think there is a difference between surface faith and heart faith – and that what we want to strive for in order to be fully dependent on Christ, is heart faith. Grounded faith.

 

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, SO THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM…..

Belief requires faith. Faith is such a precious gift. We have free will to choose it or not, but it is one of those gifts, that if left unopened, wanes and diminishes. I don’t think anyone allows their faith to diminish on purpose, it just happens – stuff happens – life happens – circumstances happen – to pull us away from God. Those series of events can sometimes cause us to feel so disconnected from God, that it seems like the journey back to Him is too long and impossible, so it becomes easier to give up, than fight the battle for faith. Sometimes giving up seems easier than giving in to God. But no matter how far we have gone, faith is always available. We can always choose to embrace a new journey of faith. 

There are things in life that are so hard to have faith about. Things that we desperately want to sustain faith about, but find ourselves questioning God for answers and reasons. Life is not carefree, and I’m sure you have your own list of concerns and problems. But what we share together, as brothers and sisters in Christ, is FAITH.

The one thing I know I can rely on, and that I always try to look for hope and answers, is Jesus. I try to believe to the core of my soul when Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” That is the only thing I can believe, when times seem hopeless, scary, confusing or disappointing. 

Without faith, what else do we have to help us get through? Without faith, where can we find hope? Without faith, what is left to do besides focus on despair? God knew we would have hard times; He assured that this life would bring trouble. But He equipped us to handle life, through His gift of faith. Faith – an immeasurable, invaluable, priceless gift that sustains us, gives us life and gets us through life. Have you fully opened this gift this yet? Ask God to show you ways that you need to trust Him, and areas of your life that you need to turn over to Him. 

 

Please share this with others and I pray that it will encourage others to become closer to the Lord~ God bless you!  Please visit me on Facebook!

Forever Faithful!

There are many people who are hurting in many ways. There are a lot of tough things going on in people’s lives. One common theme is a desire to see God come through. A desire to be victorious! God has a record of being faithful at least a Gazillion times. More times than we will ever be able to count. It’s hard to see His faithfulness at work in our lives at times because we see things from our perspective. We see things unfinished, full of pain, agony, often bewildered by circumstances, and just frustrated by the lack of control we have. We need to take our eyes off of the circumstances and put our eyes on the One who is in control! The One who never steps off the throne, never says He’s too busy, never calls it quits, never says He’s having a bad day, so He can’t help us. He is always there! We just have to stop and become available. Stop and listen! Stop and allow Him to work! Stop and get a new perspective on the current situation!

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them– the Lord, who remains faithful forever.” ~ Psalm 146:5-6

There are many people who are hurting in many ways. There are a lot of tough things going on in people’s lives. One common theme is a desire to see God come through. A desire to be victorious! 

It’s hard to see His faithfulness at work in our lives at times because we see things from our perspective. We see things unfinished, full of pain, agony, often bewildered by circumstances, and just frustrated by the lack of control we have. We need to take our eyes off of the circumstances and put our eyes on the One who is in control! The One who never steps off the throne, never says He’s too busy, never calls it quits, never says He’s having a bad day, so He can’t help us. He is always there! We just have to stop and become available.  Stop and listen!  Stop and allow Him to work! Stop and get a new perspective on the current situation! 

God sees things from a better perspective. Are you willing to trade in your earthly perspective, so God can give you an eternal perspective? Things look a lot better from where He is sitting.

God can and will move the boulders in your life! Trust Him with the details! Sure during our battles it is always tough to see how God will be faithful, but that is why it is so important to look at His track record. David looked back and rejoiced in God’s faithfulness. He saw how God rescued him. How has God rescued you? Find time to rejoice in God’s record of faithfulness in your life. The more you concentrate on how faithful God has been, the more you will trust Him to be faithful with your current situation. He’s got this!  He really does! He won’t fail you! He won’t let you down!

Have a wonderfully blessed day.  Please won’t you share this blog and I pray it will encourage someone or many in the Lord!  God bless you!  Please visit me on Facebook too! 

Healing For a Broken Heart

 

“Praise be to God . . . the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” ~  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

Healing a broken Heart. One of the most painful emotional experiences is that of a “broken heart” whether it be from a severed relationship or the death of a loved one. Everyone has to deal with a broken heart at some point in life because we live in a fallen world, and, as a result, we are constantly faced with shattered dreams, unexpected losses, and hurting relationships. Have a wonderfully day as you remain in the presence of the our Father of compassion.

 

Right now God can use you even in your heartache. Sometimes the very reason pain has been allowed into our lives is so that we can be more effective in our ministry to others.

 

God’s purposes in allowing pain in our lives are multifaceted. Not only does He teach us about His love and faithfulness amidst our times of sorrow, but after our grieving has ended, He gives us strength to offer words of edification to others who are experiencing similar trials. I Peter 5:9 says, ” . . . Your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Thus, we serve as both a support base and a hope for those who are walking through difficult situations proving that with God’s help even seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome.

 

If you are struggling with emotional pain, take comfort in the fact that God has your situation as well as you in the palm of His hands. He will not let you go, and He will not let you down. A final word of hope can be found in I Peter 5:10, “And the God of all grace, who called you . . . , after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, form, and steadfast.” Take heart, the pain you experience today may be your platform for ministry tomorrow.

Please share this blog with others and please visit me on Facebook!  God bless you!

Give all you Burdens to Jesus!

Let me encourage you to read and memorize Matthew 11:28. Record it in your journal. Identity the areas in your life in which you need peace and rest. Make a list of burdens that you will lay down at His feet and leave there. When you are tempted to pick up one of those burdens, choose instead to meditate on and walk in the truths knowing that we can do nothing apart from Him and His power. Give Him your burdens, so He can give you rest.

“Then Jesus said, Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”~ Matthew 11:28.

Some days are harder than others. There are so many things that can get us down. Long hours at work, difficult relationships, financial difficulties, medical conditions, emotional stress and family responsibilities are just a few of burdens we tend to carry.

Jesus understands the burdens we carry. During His time on earth, Jesus healed the sick and set the captives free. He established the Church, sent the Holy Spirit to teach us and took His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. The church works on His behalf to help us. The Holy Spirit indwells us in order to guide and comfort us and Jesus Himself intercedes for us with the Father. So when Jesus said “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” He really meant it.

What burden do you have? What is weighing you down? Bring it to Jesus. He will comfort and guide you. He will give you rest. Right now, in the midst of that worry or issue or concern, the God of the universe is asking you to turn it over to Him. Let Him work it out in His timing and His perfect way.

Have a wonderful day in His presence.  Please share this blog with everyone and may it bless them and bring them closer to the Lord!

 

For when I am Weak, then I am Strong!

The apostle Paul stated that when he was weak, then he was strong. This concept seems foreign to our independent human natures. After all, we feel that when we are weak — we are vulnerable, we are in great danger, we are less than, and we are most certainly foolish for having gotten ourselves into such a situation. Therefore, it is hard for us to admit we are weak, even to God, our Creator and Savior.

God invites us to come boldly to Him, seeking for His strength in time of need. Like trees filled with delectable fruit, the entire landscape of Scripture is planted with encouragement for those who seek God’s strength and guidance.

We all want to striving to be a strong Christian, but we have grown weary at times. When we grow frustrated, He will gently remind us that we have been working in my own strength.

More and more I have come to understand that His grace, and therefore, His strength, is available to me at all times, in all situations it’s not because I have been strong and wise and earned it, but because in love, He bestows His grace and favor upon His beloved children.

He will bring you again and again to those Scriptures which tell us to let Him be our strength, even when it appears that “We can do it!” It will feel like we are learning to walk all over again, and we are, because we are learning to let go of our own determined power and learning to lean into His strength. When we forget this, He will remind us that it is okay to fall and get up to try again because, “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Psalm 18:32 

 

Have a wonderful day in His presence knowing that His strength is available to you at all times. Please share this blog with many and I pray it reaches the Lost and Hurting!

O Lord Listen to My Cry!

I know there are days that you just feel like crying. Where your soul hungers for answers and you groan before God. These are the times where you truly don’t understand His ways – even if you still trust in His heart. If this is where you are right now I hope and pray this message ministers to you right now.

“O Lord listen to my cry, give me the give discerning mind you promised.”~~ Psalm 119:169

 

 

Sometimes it’s enough for me to simply cry to the Lord. To vent to Him. To have Him there to listen. It’s reassuring for us to unleash our heart on His shoulders; knowing that He carries all our concerns with such great care.

 

We all seek understanding…often. We seek relief from our doubts, fears, and concerns. But it’s almost more important to us to be heard. We need to know that we matter. That our thoughts, heart, and voice…matter. We need to know and feel like God sees us. Yes, sometimes that’s more important to us.

 

 

I’m here to remind all of you that no matter what you’re going through God DOES see you. He DOES hear you and YOU DO matter to Him. He provides you a way for your cry to come before Him and to rest at His feet.

 

Some days our hearts just wants to pour out. It doesn’t want advice or direction – although it might the next day or the day after that. It simply wants to spill. It wants to unleash all that lies within it – the emotion, the feeling, and the questions.

 

 

I’m so thankful that all our cries can come before the Lord in those moments and on those days. I’m so thankful that He never gets tired of us and that we’re never a burden.

May our cry come before you, Lord. Today – and always.

Some Things Take Time!

As long as we remain submitted to the process by waiting on God’s timing and not jumping out of the oven prematurely, He will continue to strengthen, encourage, and build us up in our hearts. Be careful that you don’t allow the fear of facing a trial cause you to move without God’s direction. By doing this, we can abort the process in our lives and disrupt God’s plan to deliver us without repercussions. God only thinks good thoughts toward us and has good plans for us. He wants to prosper us… not harm us, His children. We can reciprocate that love through trusting that He knows best. 

 

“To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed; let those be ashamed who deal treacherously without cause. Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day.” ~ Psalm 25:1-5

 

Do you find it difficult to wait upon the Lord to come to your defense? When you’re engaged in a spiritual battle that has manifested in a natural situation, it’s tempting to want to step out ahead of God and miss His moment of deliverance or breakthrough. 

 

You and I both know that God could arrive on the scene of a storm the very moment it occurred, but He doesn’t always. Sometimes, He allows us to wait on Him, so He can accomplish more than just getting us out of “hot water.” Here’s the key: When we wait on God through faith, it is our faith that gives God an opportunity to make an impossible situation become a miraculous event. 

 

There is something even greater going on when we decide to wait through faith on God’s delivering power to come on the scene. He is building us in our faith so that we aren’t moved by the threats of Satan’s attacks against us. If you’re being pressured today because of adverse situations, then ask the Lord to strengthen you to wait until He shows up.