5 Verses and Prayers that will Draw You Closer to Jesus

Verses and prayers for the season of Lent that will draw you closer to Jesus through reflection, anticipation, and hope. #Jesus #Lent #BibleStudy #VersestoPray #CountingMyBlessings

Why in the world do we talk about Lent anyway?

Many churches have stopped making much of this season of preparation but I’ve always found it a blessing to slow down a little and prayerfully think about all Jesus has graciously done for me through His life, death, and resurrection.

I see comments out there from people who are giving something up as a way of fasting … not as a diet or to better the environment (I understand there’s a push to give up plastic this year) but as a way to consider what Jesus may have felt as He lived out 40 Days of fasting in the wilderness.

And actively taking on some small form of self-sacrifice as a way of remembering Jesus’ far greater sacrifice can be a beautiful way of drawing closer to Jesus.

However…

For the past few years, I’ve chosen to add rather give up. So, I make a plan each Lenten season to intentionally spend even more time in prayer and Bible study than I do throughout the rest of the year.

Why?

Because I want to use this time to reflect on being humble, repentant, and grateful for Jesus gracious sacrifice that saved me.

And … I also want to use it as a time of anticipation…

Not just the anticipation of remembering and celebrating Jesus’ “Easter” resurrection but as a time of heartfelt preparation for His glorious promised return.

So, what is Lent for me?

It’s living in awe and wonder at God’s amazing grace, underserved mercy … and unfailing love! The reasons that bring me to my knees in humble repentance, reflection, and anticipation.

So, I’m praying today and asking God to fill me with His Spirit and to draw me closer to Jesus.

Most of all, I’m praying that He will help me love Him more and more each day.

5 Verses and Prayers that will Draw You Closer to Jesus

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.
John 3:16–17

Father, Your love is evident in everything. In the past … the present … and the future. It is most evident through Your Son, Jesus. He told us how very much You love us … then He showed us by sacrificing everything for us.

Please, by the power of Your Spirit, help me keep my heart and mind focused on all I have been given through the gift of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. And help me live each day in humble service, overwhelmed with gratitude for all You have done for me through Him. Amen.

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
Psalm 51:17

And Father, all You ask in response to this amazing sacrificial gift is the offering of a humble heart, broken in repentance. I can’t earn this gift. There is nothing I can say or do. So, I come to You today to say…

I am so very sorry. I am self-righteous, prideful, and impatient. I’m not as kind and compassionate as You want me to be. Each day there are countless things I fail to do that I should and just as many things I do that I shouldn’t … all ways I fall short of Your will for me. Father, please forgive me and by Your grace, help me to change. Amen.

[Jesus] opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.And He said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day.It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of His name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’”
Luke 24:45–47

Father, You promised a Savior, a Messiah, who would suffer my punishment as soon as sin entered Your perfect world.

I love that Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after His resurrection … after Your promise had been fulfilled.

You keep all Your promises. I can trust every Word You’ve given and count on Your faithfulness to forgive my sins.

Wow! No matter how often I come to You … You remove my sins and wash me clean. I am humbled and grateful. And yet, words of gratitude don’t seem like enough. So, I give You my surrendered heart. Amen.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Jesus, Some days are just hard! You said there would be trials and sorrows and You knew what You were talking about … You lived through unimaginable trials and sorrows because of Your great love for me.

So, I can be confident that when You told us to “take heart”You were telling us to be encouraged and hopeful because of who You are and what You’ve done. And because I belong to You, the One who has defeated the enemy and overcome the world.

Lord, You not only give me peace … You are my peace. You are my hope. You are my Way, Truth, and Life. Thanks and praise forever. Amen.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.”And He also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End.”
Revelation 21:4–6

And this is the hope I have, Father. Whatever today brings, I know that my Redeemer lives. He lives with and within me reminding me of Your promises, calming my fears, and filling me with Your love. He is making all things new! He is the Beginning and the End … my Savior, my Always!

Father, thank you! Please help me keep my heart and mind focused on Jesus and all He has done for me. And help me spend every moment of my life serving You in humble gratitude for Your grace, mercy, and undeserved love. Amen.

And one final closer to Jesus thought from Dietrich Bonhoeffer…

“Self-denial means knowing only Christ, and no longer oneself. It means seeing only Christ, who goes ahead of us, and no longer the path that is too difficult for us… . Self-denial is saying only: He goes ahead of us; hold fast to him.”

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

When a Loved One Disappoints: Six Biblical Ways to Respond

by and @ April Knapp

Walking in the Abundant Promises of the Good Shepherd:
Psalm 23

by Diana Abe
@ Diana’s Diaries

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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5 Ways to Have the Peace You Want Every Day

2 / 25 / 193 / 2 / 19

It’s true!

It is absolutely impossible to experience God’s peace when I’m reliving yesterday or pre-living tomorrow. Peace simply cannot be applied to yesterday’s mess nor can it be pre-applied to tomorrow’s worries.

Have you ever gotten to the end of the day and regret the amount of time you wasted on guilt, worry, and anxiety?

Yeah, me too!

But I’m working on changing that. I truly believe that with God’s help I do not have to sacrifice today’s peace and joy to yesterday’s failures and tomorrows unknowns.

But I definitely need His help.

So, I’m working to apply the following disciplines every day … because I know when I do, well, I have the peace I want!

5 Ways to Have the Peace You Want Every Day

1. Celebrate today like it’s a bonus day.

Rev and I celebrate bonus days. In fact, today is our 4,176th bonus day.

What are bonus days?

They are the days we’ve been blessed to enjoy that were unexpected when he entered the operating room on September 20, 2007, for a pericardial stripping.

What’s that? A pericardial stripping is when a cardiac surgeon chips the thickened and hardened lining off a beating heart. It’s extremely dangerous. We were told the mortality rate, morbidity rate, and success rate were all equal. We weren’t offered a lot of hope.

And yet, God gave us His peace that day. And every day since Rev has written the Bonus Day number on the calendar as a reminder to celebrate and LIVE.

This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad today!
Psalm 118:@4

When we are busy treating today like the gift, the bonus, it is … well, it helps us to live intentionally. And intentional living focuses on now, refusing to dwell on the past or on the future.

2. Take every thought captive . . . purposefully reject guilt and worry.

I once read about a great idea that can help me seal today off from yesterday and tomorrow.

It’s called…

Living in an airlock space.

Imagine as you walk into today that the door to yesterday is closing behind you and you can’t open the door in front of you until it’s time to move into tomorrow.

Enter the airlock space with thanksgiving and leave it with repentance. No guilt and no worry.

I’m pretty sure, that’s downright Biblical…

So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34

3. Do only what you are able to do today.

When is the last time you were able to accomplish everything on your to-do list?

Our lives are loaded with expectations. Some our own … many added by others. We have spouses, children, bosses, and friends we want to please. We’re serving and volunteering and…

It’s impossible to get it all done.

So, remember to manage each day with grace.

It’s okay to say “no.” It’s okay to set priorities. In fact, it’s not only okay, it’s God’s will. You absolutely cannot do everything for everyone. So, spend time with God and your planner. Pray and ask Him to help you manage your time according to His plans and purposes for you.

You may find that it’s time for you to say “no” to some good things so you can fully say “yes” to the most important things.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 12:2

4. Trust God to meet your needs today.

Have you read the Bible account lately of the way God provided food for the Israelites in the Wilderness?

In the morning, as the dew evaporated, manna was left on the ground. And the people were to trust God by gathering just enough to eat that day. If they saved it overnight it smelled bad and was full of worms. (Exodus 16)

One day at a time … just enough. With the exception of Fridays, when they were told to gather enough for the Saturday Sabbath so they could rest as God commanded.

I love that!

God is able to meet today’s needs. And He will even meet them in ways that make it possible for us to take a Sabbath rest if we trust Him.

I often sense Jesus whispering,

“Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!”
Matthew 8:26

And it’s impossible to have peace when my “little faith” doubts His ability to meet my needs.

But He also says…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
Luke 12:31

And…

Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. And you know that you are worth much more than the birds.
Matthew 6:26

5. Just breathe. Breathe in His peace and breathe out the peace robbers.

I have a dear one who often takes a deep breath and says, “In with the butterflies out with the bees.”

Great visual right?

When the moment is difficult and I’m tempted to make it worse by adding the past and the future, I just have to stop and breathe.

Breathe out frustration, worry, anxiety, guilt, and overwhelm … and breathe in God’s gift of peace by…

remembering His past faithfulness and provision.
clinging His promises.
running to Him in prayer.

When I remember all God has done for me in the past; when I lean on His promises to care for me today and in the future; and when I surrender every anxious thought to Him in prayer … I have everything I need to know He will help me experience His peace through this moment as well.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:3

I’ll admit it…

It’s hard to live one day at a time.

It’s hard to let go of yesterday and refuse to worry about tomorrow?

Especially for those of us who are naturally anxious.

But the truth is…

Like it or not, life is lived moment by moment. One day at a time.

So, it’s up to you and me whether we will live one day at a time moments with peace or sacrifice them to on the altar of regret and worry.

The choice is ours.

Steve Maraboli said:

“Although time seems to fly, it never travels faster than one day at a time. Each day is a new opportunity to live your life to the fullest. In each waking day, you will find scores of blessings and opportunities for positive change. Do not let your TODAY be stolen by the unchangeable past or the indefinite future! Today is a new day!”

So will you join me?

Let’s…

Celebrate today like it’s a bonus day.
Take every peace-robbing thought captive and surrender it to God.
Do what we are able to do today.
Trust God to meet this day’s needs.
And breathe in His peace.

We can do this! You and I can live one day at a time with God’s help.

And finally, here’s one more question that gives me perspective…

Will this matter a year from now?

It’s surprising how often the answer is, “no!” And if that’s the case, it’s not worth what it’s costing me in peace.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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5 Verses to Pray When You Need to be Sure of God’s Love

2 / 14 / 192 / 15 / 19

The cards, flowers, chocolate, and “I love yous” have all been shared.

And yet, I wonder how many of us are left longing because someone left us wanting … failing to fill us up the way we expected, hoped or believed we needed.

God's love is more than enough when life is hard and people let you down. Here are 5 verses to pray when you need to be sure of God's love. #GodisLove #GodLovesYou #Prayer #Bible #Faith

I keep thinking about Jenny Lind’s song in The Greatest Showman…

All the shine of a thousand spotlights
All the stars we steal from the night sky
Will never be enough
Never be enough
Towers of gold are still too little
These hands could hold the world but it’ll
Never be enough … for me.

And my heart keeps thinking…

Maybe it’s not supposed to be.

Maybe there really is nothing that can fill up that hole in our hearts and maybe it has less to do with them and more to do with us.

If you’re like me … you take that “never enough” feeling and blame yourself. You feel unworthy. You wonder what you should have done differently. You dwell on every little flaw and fault and desperately want someone to make it better.

But the expectation isn’t fair, really!

Because no one … NO ONE … can fill the hole in our hearts that God created for Himself.

God’s perfect love is the only thing that can satisfy us … His is the only love that truly is ENOUGH!

And yet, even though I know that is true with every bit of my being, I still have times when I’m a little too introspective and needy … times when I find myself lacking because I’ve questioned how God could love a total mess like me.

You too?

Today, I’m asking God to help me seek Him first when I need the assurance of love. I’m asking Him to fill me to overflowing with His perfect unfailing love.

5 Verses to Pray When You Need to be Sure of God’s Love

God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
1 John 4:8b–10

Father, You are love … REAL LOVE! And you showed us just how You love by sacrificing everything for us … for me.

The truth is Father, I don’t feel very lovable most of the time. I know I’m a mess. I fail You and the people I love every day. Those who love me … let me down and I feel unlovable.

But then You remind me that Your love is not determined by how I feel or what I do, Your love is an amazing and undeserved gift. You give me everything I need today and promise me that I will spend eternity in Your presence. Your grace, mercy, and love overwhelm me. Thank you! Amen.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.
2 Thessalonians 2:16–17

Father, Jesus said … He must return to You so that You would send the Holy Spirit. The One who comforts me and gives me hope. The One who strengthens me and guides me with Your truth. The One who gifts me with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” The One who makes possible any good thing I say and do.

I can’t imagine living even one day without Your Spirit’s help. Thank you for loving me so much that I don’t have to figure this life out on my own. Thank you for a love that will never leave me or forsake me. Amen.

May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Ephesians 3:18–19

Father, please help me keep my eyes on You … even when life is hard. When people and circumstances have disappointed me. Please help me run to You quickly, when I need Your forgiveness because I’ve messed things up again!

Your love is deep and high and long and wide. It is beyond my power to understand even when I keep my heart and mind focused and seek You first. When I don’t … oh Father, it’s ugly.

I need You! Forgive me. Help me. And grant me the fullness of life and power that only Your love can give. Amen.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38–39

Father, how I need to carry these words in my heart constantly.

Nothing can separate me from Your love! NOTHING!

You were separated from Jesus as He suffered on the cross for me so I would never have to experience the misery of being separated from You.

Your love sustains and strengthens me. When the enemy taunts me with fear and worry, help me remember that You are with me and You are greater than anything this world can throw at me.

Nothing can separate me from Your love! Nothing!

Thank you! Thank you! Amen.

Each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me and through each night I sing His songs praying to God who gives me life.
Psalm 42:8

Every day, Father, You faithfully pour Your perfect love over me. Nothing in this life compares to Your love. And yet, You have graced us with relationships that give us a taste, however imperfect, of the spectacular beauty found in this gift You call love! Thank you!

May I live each day telling others about Your love. May I be blessed to show them Your love, and although I know I do so imperfectly … please, speak over them the truth of who You are and how much You love them.

And Father, may I spend every day for the rest of my life singing songs of praise and thanking You for who You are … for You are LOVE!

In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

You can be sure God loves you!

Your heart may be bursting with the love of family and friends today.

Or…

You may be hurting and longing because love has let you down.

Whatever your heart feels…

You can be sure of God’s love!

He died for you! He lives for you! Nothing can separate you from His love … not today – not ever! His love fills the heavens and earth. And through His love He is giving you all you need to live each day.

Now that’s a truth to hold on to! AMEN?!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlight Posts of the Week!

I Dare You: Buy the Flowers by Kaitlyn Bouchillon @ It Just Takes One

I Dare You: But the Flowers

by and @ Kaitlyn Bouchillon

He Calls You Beautiful

by Leah Hughes
@ Life, Love, and Littles

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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When You Need to Be Sure God Loves You

2 / 11 / 192 / 11 / 19

Love…

It’s a fickle thing, isn’t it?

We don’t want it to be. In fact, most people are desperately looking for a love that is guaranteed to last.

Oh, we promise to love our spouse forever but nearly half of all marriages end in divorce. We hope our families will remain united and loving from one generation to the next but we all know that doesn’t always happen. We believe our besties will see us through no matter what but…

Love is a fickle thing. Imperfect people love imperfectly. But God loves you perfectly. Here are 4 Ways that will show you just how much! #Godislove #Bible #Faith #ChristianCommunity #BlessingCounter

So, have I cheered you up yet?

You’re probably thinking … what in the world is wrong with her. Aren’t we supposed to be all warm and fuzzy as we talk about love this week?

Well…

You know I wouldn’t start this discussion if I couldn’t give you hope and tell you about the perfect unfailing love that is forever and no matter what…

God Loves You Always and No Matter What

The other night I found myself wide awake for a couple of hours pondering and praying about what to write here … a relatively common occurrence for me.

Anyway…

I didn’t sense any clear direction so I finally gave up and went back to sleep.

But the next morning as I sat and read my scheduled Bible Reading, God whispered … “this is how much I love you!”

4 Ways You Can Be Sure God Loves You

1. God loves you – He sees you. He hears you. And He rescues you when the time is right!

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey
Exodus 3:7–8

God’s people had been suffering under slavery and genocide. And it was time to act. Moses had been raised in the house of Pharaoh and understood the ways of the Egyptians.

But God had also allowed him to live for years as a shepherd and nomad to teach him all he needed to know to lead the Children of Israel through their wilderness wanderings.

Whatever you are going through, whatever has you burdened and enslaved … when you cry out to God you can be sure He sees, He hears, and He is preparing a way to help you.

2. God Loves You – at the perfect time He saved you.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
John 3:16–17

God not only showed how much He loves … He proved He is the very definition of love.

Perfect self-sacrificing love!

Love that saves and promises a future filled with hope.

And what does He ask in return?

That you and I would believe in His one and only Son, Jesus!

I love the way the Life Application Bible defines belief…

To believe is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that He alone can save us. It is to put Christ Jesus in charge of our present plans and eternal destiny. Believing is both trusting His words as reliable and relying on Him for the power to change.
Life Application Bible Notes John 3:16

God’s love not only provides for our eternal future … His love provides a way to make today better, too.

3. God loves you – He gave you His Holy Spirit Inspired trustworthy Word so you might be able to know Him.

For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.
Psalm 33:4–5

I believe the Bible is a miracle.

The Bible was written:

over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
over 40 generations
over 40 authors from many walks of life (i.e. – kings, peasants, philosophers, fishermen, poets, statesmen, scholars)
in different places (i.e. – wilderness, dungeon, palaces)
at different times (i.e. – war, peace)
in different moods (i.e. – heights of joy, depths of despair)
on three continents (Asia, Africa, and Europe)
in three languages (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek)
~ Bible Facts – All About God

And…

Through all those details … from Genesis to Revelation, the message. of the Bible points to one single message … God loves you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus!

There will always be people who try to “edit” it’s words and their meaning. Argue the accuracy of the message because of time and translations. Dispute the motives and intentions of those who put the canon together. Debate inaccuracies and inconsistencies. And challenge it all based on “science.”

But that eliminates the power of the Holy Spirit.

Peter wrote:

You must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21

I believe … that same Holy Spirit is the one who still affirms, “the Word of the Lord is right and true!”

4. God loves you – He will give you everything you need each day.

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? ¹Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
Exodus 4:11–12

Moses response was…

“Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:13

The Life Application Bible Notes say…

It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then He will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that He will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.

Whatever God asks or allows He will give you and me everything we need one day at a time.

I”ll admit, I have to remind myself often that my needs are not determined by my wants.

The Life Application Notes offer a great set of questions to ask when you feel like you don’t have what you need…

Is this really a need?
It is really good for me?
Is this the best time for me to have this?

Even when you and I answer “yes” to all three questions, it’s important to remember that our greatest needs are spiritual and eternal. And God’s “no” or “wait” may be exactly what we need to grow closer and more dependent on Him.

God’s grace, mercy, and love!

Love between imperfect people is … well, imperfect.

But God’s love…

Sees, hears, and rescues.
Saves from sin, death, and satan’s power.
Is in His Word so people might know Him.
And meets the needs of His children every single day!

That’s not just how much He loves people … God wants you to know, that’s how much He loves you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

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How to Pray Psalm 23 When You Need to Rest in the Shepherd

1 / 31 / 192 / 8 / 19

So, how well are you resting?

With all the discussion about the importance of self-care and taking time to rest…

I wonder, how’s that going for you?

I’m guessing that you, like many others, struggle to actually relax and rest occasionally … that’s why so many articles are being written and people are talking about it so much!

We’re exhausted and we don’t know what to do about it!

With more and more people being prescribed medication for anxiety and sleep problems, I imagine you and I could probably find plenty of people with whom we could share our problems at 2 AM … if we knew who and where to find them.

How you can pray Psalm 23 and learn to rest in God's provision and care, let go of anxiety and worry, and get the rest you desperately need. #Psalm23 #Prayer #Bible #Faith #CountingMyBlessings

I used to call my mom, “the healthiest sick person I knew.”

She was a breast cancer survivor who lived with arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, and severe osteoporosis. And those were just her health issues. She was a mom and seriously, what mom doesn’t worry about her kids and grandkids.

Like all of us, she had plenty of reasons to stare at the ceiling each night pondering the problems of the day.

But she didn’t…

My mom, would pray Psalm 23.

And as she did, she would put her problems in the hands of her Shepherd.

She would tell us she never got through it the third time … as she always fell asleep first.

I love praying Scripture. And for years, I used to simply recite verses in my head as a way of praying them back to God. The Psalms are great for that.

But in recent years, I’m discovering the joy of praying Scripture by taking a verse or section and praying not only the words but what they mean to me. Making my prayers personal more than recitation.

And today, I’m doing that with Psalm 23 because I need to put my problems into the hands of the Shepherd to find peace and be able to rest.

I’d love for you to join me…

How to Pray Psalm 23 When You Need to Rest in the Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd;
I have all that I need.
Psalm 23:1

Lord God, Your Word says, your “sheep listen for Your voice and follow You.” (John 10:27) That is my prayer! To know and listen to Your voice in a world that is loud and constantly clamoring for my attention and focus.

You are my Shepherd. And when I listen and follow, I have all I need.

Everything I need! Everything!

Forgive me for confusing my wants and my needs. Help me trust that if You have not given me something … I either don’t need it or the time is not right. May I recognize that in those moments I am listening to the wrong voices.

Please help me know Your voice, help me trust Your provision … help me rest in your loving care.

He lets me rest in green meadows;
He leads me beside peaceful streams.
Psalm 23:2

Lord, hungry sheep don’t rest but those who are satisfied do! And in You, I am satisfied. My needs for today have been met and I trust You, knowing that they will be met again tomorrow. I can lie down and rest because I am content and at peace.

Your life-giving water gives me that peace. Your Spirit leads me and guides me … filling me with Your perfect hard to understand peace. And even when the world around me is chaotic and crazy, I know I am safe, secure, satisfied, and still.

He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to His name.
Psalm 23:3

Father God, thank you for Your gift of forgiveness. I will forever thank and praise You for washing me clean and for healing my brokenness. You restore and strengthen the very core of who I am.

And because I am Yours, forgiven, restored, and renewed, I have all I need to trust and follow Your will for me … not to earn Your favor or polish my crown, not to impress the people around me but simply to bring glory to Your name. Because I want everyone to know the joy of living under my Shepherd’s care.

Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for You are close beside me.
Your rod and Your staff
    protect and comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

Lord, even when the way is dark and the road is rough, I will trust You to be with me and give me everything I need. Why? Because You have faithfully done so every day of my life.

You held me close and protected when life was hard and circumstances seemed unbearable. You healed my broken heart, filled me with hope, and gave me joy. You have been faithful to Your promises in the past and I know You will continue to fulfill every promise in the future.

I am not alone. You are with me.

Your rod protects me and Your staff guides me. I have nothing to fear. Through any crisis, You will give me hope, strength, courage, comfort, and protection. And even when I wander … You will gently draw me back into Your loving care. You always fight for me. I am safe and I am not afraid.

You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Psalm 23:5

Father, You have given me so much. You pour so much grace and mercy into my life … I can’t help but share it with others. Your love and forgiveness have been so abundant in my life that I have everything I need to forgive others, even those who would consider themselves my enemies. I am able to forgive because I have feasted on the blessing of Your forgiveness.

You anoint me with holy oil preparing me for life in Your presence both today and eternally. You pour blessings and gifts into my life with such abundance that I am able to bless and serve others.

You are so extremely generous! And as I remember Your blessings too numerous to count … I enjoy a peace that only You can give. I have no need to worry … I am in Your care.

Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6

Father, With Your help, I will trust Your goodness and unfailing love every day of my life. And thank you for pursuing me when I am tempted to wander and worry.

With Your Spirit’s help, I will live each day confidently knowing … I am safe in Your care. I am forgiven and loved. I have everything I need.

I am secure under the cover of Your promise. I believe…

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever.
Psalm 16:11

Thank you, Lord! Your grace, mercy, and love cover my life with everything I need. Amen.

Pray Psalm 23

Whatever is keeping you awake and making it hard to rest, remember…

Your Shepherd loves you.

Your Shepherd leads you.

Your Shepherd provides for you.

Your Shepherd fights for you.

When the Lord is our Shepherd, you and I have everything we need!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

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The Most Important Thing You Need to Know About God

1 / 28 / 191 / 28 / 19

How do you picture God?

Who do you see when you pause to pray?

A fireman who will put out the fires in your life?
A genie or fairy godmother who will grant your every wish?
A judge who will punish you when you fail?
A hard to please parent who always expects more?
An administrator who makes decisions from a distance?

Is He intimate or impersonal?

The truth is … how you and I picture God will deeply influence not only our relationship with Him but it will have a huge impact on the way we live our lives.

Rev asked me recently, "What is the most important thing you'd want someone to know about God from your story?" This is my answer... #Faith #God #CountingMyBlessings

Let me explain…

For most of my life, I pictured God watching me from afar … blessing good behavior and withholding blessings for bad behavior. When things weren’t going well, I believed I needed to make life adjustments so I could once again please God and earn His favor.

I believed that “God is love” and “Jesus loves me.” I’d learned both things as a young child in Sunday School.

And because of those childhood lessons, I believed God loved me so much He gave Jesus as the sacrifice for my sins. I believed that it was through faith in Jesus, my eternal future was and is secure. All true!

This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

The problem … I was focusing on the eternal message and missing out on the things God was offering me every single day.

I didn’t understand the intimate personal relationship He wanted with me.

Yet, this is how intimate and personal God is … He gave my childhood pastor the following verse for me.

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”
Revelation 3:20

He told me as a child, that He wanted a personal friendship with me. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the message!

It took me another 40+ years to finally understand the truth … and in all honesty, I’m still a work in progress.

Recently, Rev asked me, “What’s the most important thing, you want people to know about God from your story?”

I have to admit, my voice cracked and my eyes filled with tears as I started to put my feelings into words. In fact, my greatest concern as I type this is that my message will fall short.

You see, because I had a distorted picture of God, I missed out on many of the blessings He wanted to give me to live each day.

♥ I missed out on experiencing God’s peace because I believed the enemy’s lie that I must obey God perfectly to gain His pleasure.

But the truth…

The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love.
Psalm 147:11

♥ I missed out on God’s courage and strength because I believed the enemy’s lie that I was on my own for day to day living.

But God’s Word says…

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1

So, the most important thing I want you to know about God from my story is…

I want you to know how very much Your Father loves you and wants to give you everything you need to live each day.

I want you to know He meant it when He said…

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

For too many years, I missed the promise part of that verse…

I was not strong and courageous.

I was afraid of:

Rejection
Death (my own or a loved one’s)
Illness
Not being good enough
Not being loved
Not being a good mom
Heights
Getting lost or losing my child in a crowd
Not being in control of my weight, my health … my life

It wasn’t pretty!

On the outside, the picture looked good but on the inside I was a mess. I craved strength, courage, peace, contentment, and a whole host of other things God promises in His Word … but I wasn’t willing to surrender control of my life.

Why?

Because of another verse:

In this world you will have trouble.
John 16:33 (NIV)

I know, I left out the other important parts of the verse, too. The…

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” and “Take heart! I have overcome the world” parts.

In my defense, all I had to do was look around. Bad things were happening everywhere and I’ll be honest with you, I saw very few people, even Christians, living in victory.

I saw people like me, who were going to church, putting on their Sunday smile … just trying to do it right and avoid “trouble.”

But troubles happen and they happened to us.

Many of greatest fears became reality.

I’d spent a lifetime trying to please God and people to control my circumstances and avoid “trouble” and it all collapsed around me.

But God in His mercy allowed me to hear the Spirit whisper Jesus’ words…

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28–29

And I did…

I surrendered it all at the foot of the cross, cried out to God for help, and started getting to really know for myself who God says He is in the Bible.

And I’ve spending time at His feet every day since … more than a decade of learning that God is who He says He is and that He keeps His promises.

I’ve learned…

Even when everyone else forgets, God doesn’t; when no one seems to notice, God sees; when not one seems to care, God cares; when you feel all alone, you aren’t.
Life Application Bible Notes pg. 87

I laid my junk at the foot of the cross. I gave Him my fear, my need to control, my need to please, my doubts, my “self.”

I surrendered it all!

And God replaced what I gave Him with those things I’d been craving all along … strength, courage, peace, contentment, and so much more!

What’s the most important thing you need to know about God?

Your Father loves you!
You can know Him and have a relationship with Him through Jesus.
You can trust His Spirit to teach and guide you.
You can believe that He is who He says He is.
You can count Him to keep His promises.

When you seek Him first … HE WILL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED!

My story is the reason the tagline here at Counting My Blessings is “at the intersection of faith and life.”

Because…

Once you have experienced the saving power of faith in Jesus, God is able to give you everything you need for your life right now … today!

I want you to believe that when Jesus said…

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need.”
Luke 12:31

It is a promise you can count on.

He is not only able to give you everything you need, it also makes Him happy to do so. The next verse says…

“So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.
Luke 12:32

Your Father loves you!

He gave Jesus for you and to you because that’s how much He loves you.

He won’t withhold the thing you need today. In fact, It makes Him happy to give you His kingdom’s blessings!

So, don’t wait! Don’t suffer with fear, anxiety, discouragement, or anything else for one more day.

Make today the day you surrender everything at the foot of the cross. The day you start seeking God with all you’ve got.

The day you start picturing Him happily giving you everything you need.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

It would bless me so much if you’d take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings so you never miss an update!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone?

Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

Day 35 – God, Thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit

12 / 26 / 1812 / 26 / 18

Jesus promised that when He returned to heaven, God would send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit to guide His followers…

But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. John 14:26

I can’t imagine trying to figure out the challenges of life without the blessing of the Holy Spirit … the One the Bible calls, the Comforter and the Spirit of Truth.

So today, I’m simply praying…

God, Thank You for the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Father, Thank you!

There are so many things about this life that can be confusing. Trying to figure out conflicting thoughts, ideas, and opinions is exhausting. And the arguing…

Oh, Father, on our own we’re a mess. I’m a mess.

Please forgive us! Please forgive me.

You have given me everything I need. Creation to provide for me. Jesus to redeem and restore me.

And the Holy Spirit…

Who gives me new life in Christ.

He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

Who teaches me the truth.

He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. John 14:17

Who fills me with Your love.

For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. Romans 5:5

Who helps me when I am weak.

The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. Romans 8:26

Who prays for me.

The Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. Romans 8:26

Who gives me hope.

You will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Who guides and directs.

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Galatians 5:16

Who fills my heart and mind with …

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22–23

Who gives me the words to speak the truth about Your love.

God will give you the right words at the right time. Matthew 10:19–20

Who inspires me to worship.

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Revelation 1:10

Who strengthens me.

From his glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Ephesians 3:16

What amazing promises, Father! Through Your Spirit, You give me everything I need to live each day in faith.

And when I’m doubtful or discouraged, You remind me, through the words of Peter, of the way to experience these amazing blessings.

” Repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.“ Acts 2:38

I am sorry for my sins. Please forgive me and through Your Spirit, strengthen me to change … to trust and follow Your will each day.

Thank you, for Jesus. Thank you for the gift of baptism. Thank you for washing away my sins and for the blessed help of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power. Amen.

I am so blessed that you are joining me for this journey…

You’ll want to subscribe to Counting My Blessings (if you haven’t already), to receive a link to 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers in your inbox each morning.

It’s true! This is the busiest time of the year but I promise this will only be a 2-minute a day commitment…

One that will ask and seek and knock through bold prayers … and watch what only God can do when we go to Him with anything is possible mountain moving prayers.

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Remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and tell us about the mountains God is moving in your life.

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

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Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

Just imagine what God will do as His people come to Him in faith and prayer!

Day 30 – God, Help My Loved Ones to Love and Trust Jesus

12 / 21 / 18

The first Bible verse most of us learn is…

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

God’s only Son, Jesus … His amazing and gracious gift of love.

The Bible also says about Jesus:

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

I believe we all know people who do not love and trust, Jesus, God’s precious gift. So today, I’m praying…

God, Help My Loved Ones to Love and Trust Jesus

Father, Your amazing love overwhelms me. Knowing and loving Jesus as my Lord and Savior has changed and blessed every part of my life. On top of the blessings I enjoy today, You promise me eternal life with You and Your Son.

How my heart aches for my loved ones who are not experiencing the peace, hope, joy, love, and more that You are offering them.

Please Father, help my loved one love and trust Jesus.

Jesus … “the way, the truth, and the life.” The only One through whom sinners can have a restored relationship with You. (based on John 14:6)

Jesus … the One who gives victory over sin and death. (based on 1 Corinthians 15:57)

Jesus … the One who gives freedom. (based on John 8:36)

Jesus … the One who makes us holy and blameless. (based on Ephesians 1:4)

Jesus … the One who is perfect peace. (based on John 14:27)

Jesus … the One who helps us. (based on Hebrews 13:6)

Jesus … the One through whom we have eternal life. (based on John 17:3)

Father, I want these awesome blessings for my loved ones.

So, I ask that You will help them love and trust Jesus.

May ________________ openly declare that Jesus in Lord and believe in his/her heart that You raised Him from the dead. May they know the blessing of Your salvation. For Your Word says that it is by believing in our hearts that we are made right with You and by openly declaring our faith we are saved. (based on Romans 10:9–10)

Father, before His suffering and death, Jesus prayed…

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:20–21

By Your grace and through the power of Your Holy Spirit, please help my love ones to love and trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is in His name I pray. Amen.

I am so excited you’re here…

You’ll want to subscribe to Counting My Blessings (if you haven’t already), to receive a link to 40 Days of Mountain Moving Prayers in your inbox each morning.

It’s true! This is the busiest time of the year but I promise this will only be a 2-minute a day commitment…

One that will ask and seek and knock through bold prayers and watch what only God can do when we go to Him with anything is possible mountain moving prayers.

Subscribe here!

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This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

Bright Shiny Objects

by Diane Ferreira
@ Worth Beyond Rubies

How Do We Experience a Special Kind
of Joy at Christmas

by and @ Lori Schumaker

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

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Deb Wolf
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Thank you and God bless!

The Wonderful Truth about Who You are in Jesus

10 / 18 / 18

I don’t know about you, but I can be my own worst enemy.

Why is it so much easier to think about what I’m not rather remembering who I am?

And you’d think after years of experience with this bad habit, I’d have learned a thing or two about consistently taking negative thoughts captive and replacing them with God’s truth.

That I’d be better at thinking less about who I am and more about whose I am!

So, I’m making a list. One I can grab any time I need a truth pep talk.

Seriously, I don’t believe God wants me to sit around dwelling on who I’m not when He has given me all I need to remember who I am in Him.

Maybe you struggle too! Maybe you, like me, need a regular reminder that…

We have the presence of His Spirit.

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Think about that for a minute. You and I have the Spirit of the Living God dwelling within us! And I for one, am ready to quit pushing His voice to the background while I waste time listening to the lies that defeat and discourage me.

It’s time to make a more permanent change. So, I’m making a list of God’s promises to help me. I hope it helps you too!

And as you read through the list of verses, put your name or a personal pronoun in each blank…

The Wonderful Truth about Who You are in Jesus

Who You are in Jesus:

♥ You are Known – God Thinks about You

How precious are your thoughts about ________, O God. They cannot be numbered! Psalm 139:17

♥ You are Loved

I am writing to ________, who has been called by God the Father, who loves you and keeps you safe in the care of Jesus Christ. Jude 1:1

♥ You are a Child of God

But to _________, who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become a child of God. You are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. John 1:12–13

♥ You are a Friend of Jesus

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command … Now ________ is my friend, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:13–15

♥ You are a New Creation

If _________ belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NCV)

__________ has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

♥ You are Chosen and Holy

Even before He made the world, God loved ________ and chose _________ in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. Ephesians 1:4

♥ You are Chosen and Loved

God loves _________ and has chosen you to be His own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4

♥ You are Dead to Sin and Alive in Christ

When He died, He died once to break the power of sin. But now that He lives, He lives for the glory of God. So ________ also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Romans 6:10–11

♥ You are a Citizen of Heaven

________ is a citizen of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20

♥ You are God’s Masterpiece

For ________ is God’s masterpiece. He has created ________ anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

♥ You have God’s Peace to Guard Your Heart and Mind

Then ________ will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

♥ You have Strength for Life

________ can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

♥ You are Victorious

Can anything ever separate ________ from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ________ through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35, 37

♥ You are Forever Safe in God’s Love

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate ________ from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither ________ fears for today nor _______ worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate ________ from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate _________ from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39

You know it’s funny…

When you and I focus on ourselves, on our faults and failures, it’s easy to get lost in the negatives … in what we’re not. But when we take those heart and mind discouraging thoughts captive and replace them with the truth…

The truth of who you are in Jesus.
The truth of who I am in Jesus.

Then and only then do we have everything we need.

Because we are known and loved, a child of God, a friend of Jesus, a new creation, chosen, loved, and holy, a citizen of heaven, and God’s masterpiece. And we have everything we need to live fully alive in His presence. We have strength, peace, victory, and we are forever safe!

Forever!

Whew! I need to keep this close and change my thoughts more quickly because in Jesus … it is well with my soul. And it’s well with my heart and mind, too!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

What Side are You On? The Great Divide

by Lisa Burgess
@ Lisa Notes…

How to Keep a Strong Faith When Disappointed

by Maree Dee
@ Embracing Life in the Midst of the Unexpected

Lessons I’ve Learned in the Space
Between Family Photos

by Michelle Skillern
@ Mrs. Designs

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

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I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
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I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How to Have a Strong Faith that will Reject Fear

10 / 15 / 1810 / 15 / 18

I was about five years old when my parents convinced me to ride a Ferris Wheel. As the car inched upward … I stopped breathing as the grip of fear overwhelmed me! My dad frantically waved at the ride operator, screaming at him to stop the giant rotating hoop and let us off after only one memorable rotation.

Amusement park rides and heights were just a couple of my many childhood fears.

As an adult, I realized that heights, bugs, and the dark were not as life-threatening as I’d once believed. But unfortunately, I just replaced those childhood fears with grown-up terrors.

Eventually, my doctor diagnosed me with high-anxiety agitation/depression. And although medication and counseling helped me function better day-to-day, they didn’t change what was going on in my head or my heart.

I still had a list of things that terrified me and eventually, some of those things happened.

I had a choice to make…

I could either pull the covers over my head and hide or turn to God for help.

Since staying in bed for the rest of my life wasn’t really an option, I cried out to God in prayer and grabbed my Bible hoping it would show me how to have a strong faith in His promises.

And through His grace, God gave me just enough strength to do life one moment at a time. He didn’t magically or suddenly make me fearless rather He gave me the faith I needed to live that day.

And that’s all we need, isn’t it?

A strong faith that will reject fear today!

If you or someone you love struggles with fear, I have a list of things that help me reject my fear with faith – one day at a time…

How to Have a Strong Faith that will Reject Fear

It took me too long to accept that my fear was caused by a lack of faith.

Deep down I think I knew it, but I was a pastor’s wife raising preacher’s kids, I’d read the “do not be afraid” and “be strong and courageous” verses and I was ashamed to admit that I was afraid because my faith was weak.

Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Matthew 8:26

Jesus calmed the storm. He healed the sick and raised the dead.

Through His death and resurrection, He gave us eternal life and through His life, He taught us how to LIVE.

So, let’s begin…

♥ Ask God for Greater Faith

Jesus said, “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23–24

Jesus next words didn’t rebuke the father … He rebuked the evil that had a hold on the man’s son and on a watching crowd.

God is greater than our greatest fear and greater than any evil this world has to offer.

♥ Assess Your Fear

“Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat.”

So, it’s important to assess if our fear is true or just a “what if”. Next, it’s important to decide if this is something we can control or change and assess how it’s affecting the way we live.

Then we must remember…

Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. 1 John 4:18 (NCV)

Fear that debilitates is not from God, it is from the enemy!

And Jesus has defeated Satan! God is greater than any fear the enemy is using to torment us.

♥ Pray Continually

Prayer is not a one and done experience, especially when it comes to fear. I’m learning that when I take fear to God as soon as it hits me … it takes my focus off my fear and places it squarely on Jesus.

In John 14, Jesus said…

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” v. 1
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” v. 6

And…

You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! v. 13–14

God wants you and me to be strong and courageous! We can ask Him to give us a strong faith that will reject fear trusting that He will.

♥ Find a Faith Mentor

Talk to a counselor. Ask a wise friend to tell you about a time God helped them through a time of fear. Join a small group Bible Study. Spend time with people who encourage you to grow in faith.

“Mentoring is: Sharing Life’s Experiences and God’s Faithfulness” ~ Janet Thompson

♥ Keep Scripture Close

Carry note cards with quotes and verses that help you focus on God … not your fear.

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:13–14

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here!” Matthew 14:27

♥ Don’t Borrow Fear from Others

If the news and your friend’s posts on Facebook bring your fear to the surface. Take a break. Turn off the television and budget your time social media. Focus on doing things you enjoy and turn your frightened thoughts into prayers.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

♥ Be Your Own Best Cheerleader

Take charge of your thoughts.

Remind yourself that you are loved, you are precious, you are here at this time and place for God’s plans and purposes. You can trust Him.

Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy’s strong places. We destroy people’s arguments and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4–5

♥ Be Someone Else’s Cheerleader

Build up and encourage the people around you.

Tell someone about the way God helped you in the past … you will encourage them and you’ll be strengthened and encouraged too!

“Sometimes God redeems your story by surrounding you with people who need to hear your past, so it doesn’t become their future.” ~John Acuff

♥ Give Up the Need to be Perfect

You’re human. You’re not perfect.

Ask for forgiveness when you fail and stop being afraid of failing or disappointing others. Fear keeps us from being the people God wants us to be. He created us to flourish … to thrive. He wants us to LIVE with joy for His glory!

Living in the freedom of Christ defeats fear!

In Christ, we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ. Ephesians 3:12 (NCV)

♥ Keep Your Focus on Today

Why do our “what if” thoughts rarely have happy endings?

Worry and fear are close cousins. How I wish I could have a do-over on the countless hours I spent worrying about “what-ifs” that never happened. And the things that did, well, all my worry and fear prevent a thing.

When I live my today without fear of the future, I’m fully engaged and able to see and enjoy the big and small blessings God is continuously giving me.

“If the Lord be with us, we have no cause of fear. His eye is upon us, His arm over us, His ear open to our prayer – His grace sufficient, His promise unchangeable.” ~ John Newton

♥ Don’t Give Up the Fight

I’d love to tell you that I don’t worry anymore … that I’m never frightened. But really, you probably wouldn’t believe me anyway.

What I can tell you, is that by God’s grace, I am able to remember all that God has gotten me through in the past, accept my fear for the lie it is, and with God’s help step out in faith and take on the day.

When I forget or fail – I trust that I can take it to God. Ask for forgiveness. And try again tomorrow.

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13

I’ve learned through experience that courage and strength are rarely if ever infused into my life.

The only way have a strong faith that will reject fear is focus on all that God has done for me in the past, take my current circumstances to Him in prayer, and ask Him to give me the courage I need to get out of bed and LIVE!

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When You Need to Reject Fear – PRAY!

9 / 27 / 189 / 27 / 18

I was afraid and I hated it!

I knew I had a need to reject fear but felt helpless to change…

We went years without traveling far because I was too afraid to get on an airplane. Praise God, I just returned from spending last weekend in Denver with beautiful friends.

I failed to set much-needed boundaries because I was terrified of rejection. Unfortunately, my lack of boundaries didn’t prevent painful rejection.

I missed so many opportunities for joy while worrying about “what ifs” that never happened. Countless moments I can’t get back.

Maybe you struggle with fear, too. The enemy has found your weakness and consistently fills your head with all the terrifying things that could happen to turn your life upside down and you listen…

Well, at least I listened.

Even with all the “do not fear” and “be strong and courageous” verses in Scripture … I still listened to the lies that filled me with fear and kept me from living the life of freedom God wanted for me.

Praise God! I’m getting better. I not only know I need to reject fear, but I’m also giving it to God before I’m robbed of precious time and suffer wasted opportunities.

So today, I’m asking God to help me reject fear once again. I’d love for you to join me…

When You Need to Reject Fear – PRAY!

Zephaniah 3:17

For the Lord, your God is living among you.
    He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
    With His love, He will calm all your fears.
    He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Oh Father, when I remember who You are my fear begins to fade. You are with me. You are my mighty Savior. Help me when I start to doubt that You delight in me, when I listen to lies and focus on myself instead of on You. Help me trust that You are able to calm my fear and give me the courage and strength I need for anything You allow.

Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief. I want to live in the freedom that comes from knowing you rejoice over your repentant forgiven child. You rejoice over me. Wow! My Father is with me, saves me, delights in me, rejoices over me, and loves me. Nothing in this world can change that! Thank you. Amen.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline.

Oh, Father, Your Word says You want Your children to be strong and courageous and You are willing to give us what we need. When I am afraid, please make me strong. When I am timid, make me courageous. Father, please give me Your power, cover me with Your love, and when I lose my focus … give me self-discipline.

Father, it’s so easy for me to focus on what-ifs and problems and the truth is, whatever I focus on becomes great in my mind controls my emotions. Please forgive me. Help me “seek You first” trusting that You will give me everything I need. Amen.

Isaiah 43:1b–3a

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you go through deep waters,
    I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
    you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
    you will not be burned up;
    the flames will not consume you.
For I am the Lord, your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Father, You are greater than my greatest fears. You are greater than my circumstances. You have called me by name and by Your grace, I am Your child. You are always with me and in your presence, nothing can defeat me. You are my Lord and Savior. You are my God. With You, I have nothing to fear! Thank you! Amen.

Romans 8:38–39

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us
from God’s love. Neither death nor life,
neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today
nor our worries about tomorrow—not even
the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That is all I need to remember, Father. NOTHING can separate me from Your love. You love Your children so much, You gave us Jesus to suffer our punishment. By Your Holy Spirit’s presence, we are never alone. Even with all my weaknesses and failures, You continue to love me. I am overwhelmed, humbled, and so very thankful. I love You, Father. Amen.

Philippians 4:8–9

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable,
and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy
of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned
and received from me—everything you heard from me
and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Father, please help me focus my heart and mind on You. Please help me remember Your goodness. Help me remember all the ways You have protected me in the past.

I remember the night I cried out to you in pain and heard You gently whisper, “Even in this … you have no idea how I have protected you.” I see such a small portion of who You are and what You do. With Your help, I will trust You through it all. You have given me all I need. I have You. I have Jesus. I have Your Spirit.

I will keep my eyes on You and trust that You are able to meet my needs and give me peace. All my thanks and praise now and forever. Amen.

Before you go, I want to tell you something important…

This is a daily battle. I’m so much better than I used to be but fear is my weakness and the enemy knows it.

So, when my neck hair stands on end and my stomach starts to churn with all too familiar feelings of worry and doubt and I need to reject fear, I … Stop! Pray! Take it to God immediately.

I remember that God will help. He promised…

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

Start with Joy

by Kathy Cheek
@ Devotions from the Heart

Where are You, God?

by Kaitlyn Bouchillon
@ It Just Takes One

How to Hold onto Hope When Life Disappoints You

by and @ Stacey Pardoe

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

<div align="center"><a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Counting My Blessings"><img src="https://countingmyblessings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Link-Party-Button-Pic.jpg" alt="Counting My Blessings" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

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Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thank you and God bless!

Verses to Pray When You Need to be Forgiven

9 / 6 / 18

As I worked on Monday’s post, Jesus’ Commandments and Why You Need to Know Them, I can honestly tell you I found myself squirming a little.

Let me explain…

I think it’s possible when you and I use the original Ten Commandments as our guide for right and wrong, to come to the conclusion that we’re doing an okay job at this thing called obedience. We can look at the list and think, I love God, I go to church, I don’t steal, I haven’t killed anyone, and I didn’t _______ or _________.

Taking a closer look at Jesus’ Commandments, you and I not only find a list of dos and don’ts but directives that challenge our hearts and attitudes. And when I take a closer look inside myself, I suddenly realize just how far I fall short of God’s will.

I need to be forgiven.

Because, in all honesty…

I don’t love like Jesus. I struggle to willingly take up my cross and faithfully follow Him. I worry. I want to have child-like trust, humility, and sincerity but sometimes “adulting” and bad habits get in the way. I catch myself judging others and have days of selfishness when I’m definitely not as kind, compassionate, or forgiving as I should be.

I’m a mess who definitely needs God’s forgiveness!

If you’re a mess and know you need to be forgiven too, please join me as I turn to God’s Word and prayer. As I ask Him to forgive me and change me to become more like Jesus.

Verses to Pray When You Need to be Forgiven

Psalm 32:5

Then I confessed my sins to you
and didn’t hide my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my sins to the Lord,”
and You forgave my guilt.

Father, I’m so sorry. I want to obey Your commands and trust Your will for me. I’m ashamed of my tendency to be selfish and stubborn. It’s so easy for me to do things I know Your Word says to avoid and it’s even easier for me to fail to do the things You want me to do. I have a list of excuses and reasons but truthfully, they’re meaningless.

I love You, Lord, and I want to obey You. By the power of Your Spirit, please give me the strength I need to turn from temptation, the child-like faith I need to trust and obey, and peace that comes from knowing I am forgiven. Amen.

Psalm 51:9–10 (NCV)

Turn Your face from my sins
and wipe out all my guilt.
Create in me a pure heart, God,
and make my spirit right again.

Father, wash me clean. Fill me with Your love and purify my heart. Jesus said, “My God, why have You forsaken me?” You turned Your face away as Jesus suffered, allowing Him to suffer my punishment. And through His suffering, death, and resurrection You forgive my sins and remove my guilt.

It’s amazing! It’s really too marvelous to understand. Yet, by Your grace through faith, I will receive this precious gift and with Your help, I will do my best to live my life for Your glory. Amen.

Luke 7:47

“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—
have been forgiven,
so she has shown me much love.
But a person who is forgiven little
shows only little love.”

Father, my sins have been many, things I’ve done that I wish I hadn’t and so many things I failed to do, that I wish I had. Like Paul, I have to admit, “I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (Romans 7:19)

Your Word tells me I am forgiven completely. I am covered by Your grace and mercy.

May the desire of my heart be to spend every day for the rest of my life showing You “much” love! Amen.

Psalm 103:11–12

For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.

Father, Your love never fails and it never ends. It doesn’t depend on who I am but on whose I am. I am Yours and You are love. Perfect love.

You are love who forgives every sin to the extreme … as far as the east is from the west. Love who removes my fear. Love who makes it possible for me to love and forgive others. Love who is able to make me victorious in times of temptation. Love who is not content to leave me as I am but who works in my life to make me more like Jesus.

Thanks and praise, worship and honor are Yours forever. Amen.

Psalm 32:1

Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

Father, You give me joy! Joy that makes me free and gives me strength. Joy I can feel in my mind and my heart. Joy that gives me peace and fills me with hope.

Joy because my past is forgiven; I don’t need to look back anymore. Joy because Your Spirit is with me blessing me with “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22–23

Although the consequences of my past may continue, Your grace and mercy change me and give me all I need to love like Jesus and live for Your glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

Praise God!

When you and I need to be forgiven … we can ask and receive!

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:10

My dear friend, whatever is burdening you today … give it to God. He is true to His Word. When you ask Him for forgiveness, He forgives you. He doesn’t wait until you get it right. Your Father forgives you as soon as you ask because He loves you.

Turn to Him. Trust Him. And celebrate!!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

Finding Purpose in Emotional Pain

by Sunshyne Gray
@ Sharing Truth that Changes Lives

We are Made to Brave Our Story
Made for Sisterhood

by Shannon Geurin
for Crystal Twaddell
@ Cultivating a Life of Intention and a Legacy of Hope

Are You Blinded by a Gospel of “Get”?

by Jen Avellaneda
@ Rich Faith Rising

AND the…

Faith ‘n Friends Link Party

<div align="center"><a href="https://countingmyblessings.com/" rel="nofollow" title="Counting My Blessings"><img src="https://countingmyblessings.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Link-Party-Button-Pic.jpg" alt="Counting My Blessings" style="border: none; height: auto; width: 200px;" /></a></div>

I’m so glad you’re here!

This is a place to share faith, make friends, and have fun.

I’d love to connect with you on social media!

[Tweet “I’m finding #Friendship and #Inspiration at #Faith ‘n Friends #LinkUp Come join the fun! “]

Deb Wolf
Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
Then just make friends and have fun.
You know they love it when you stop by and say “hello.”

I would really appreciate it if you would
Grab my Link Party Button above and link back to CMB.

Loading InLinkz ...

Thank you so much for partying with us!
May your week be blessed with faith, love, and friendship!

Don’t forget to leave your prayer requests…

and pray over the list left by our friends.

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thank you and God bless!

6 Ways Faith in Jesus Helped Me Overcome Addiction

8 / 20 / 188 / 20 / 18

I believe we all know someone struggling to overcome addiction.

According to the Addiction Center:

Addiction is more common than many realize. There were approximately 20.6 million people in the United States over the age of 12 with an addiction in 2011.

Over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 have an addiction (excluding tobacco).
100 people die every day from drug overdoses. This rate has tripled in the past 20 years.
Over 5 million emergency room visits in 2011 were drug-related.
2.6 million people with addictions have a dependence on both alcohol and illicit drugs.
9.4 million people in 2011 reported driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
Over 90% of those with an addiction began drinking, smoking or using illicit drugs before the age of 18.

When Paige Taylor wanted to tell her story about the ways faith in Jesus helped her overcome addiction, I thought it might be something that could touch your life or the life of someone you know and love.

So, please welcome Paige! I’ve been so very blessed by her and I’m quite certain she will bless you, too!

6 Ways Faith in Jesus Helped Me Overcome Addiction

I have been addicted to drugs and alcohol for nearly a decade.

I have abused nearly every substance you can think of. I tried over and over again to get sober. I went to rehab, I went to 12-step meetings, I went to therapy. Some of these things helped me to get sober for a little while, but I would always relapse.

Five years ago, a friend invited me to her church.

I had never been much of a church person, and I’d never heard much about God aside from a few things at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The worship band at the church was amazing, though, and I suddenly had a whole new perspective on God and church.

That day, I began to have faith in Jesus Christ and I have been sober ever since. Recovering hasn’t been easy, but my faith in Jesus Christ has helped me in so many ways:

1. I No Longer Felt Alone

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

One of the hardest parts of fighting addiction is the thinking that you are fighting it alone. That no one can really help you. This is because there is no medicine to cure you. There is nothing doctors can really do for you. You have to do it yourself.

But you do not have to do it alone. Jesus was always there with me. All I had to do was look for Him. He is everywhere. He is listening. He loves both you and me. By sharing my pain with Him I was able to find the strength to get better.

2. I Knew I Was Forgiven

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

My addictions led me to do horrible things. Unforgivable things. The guilt I felt because of this only drove me deeper into my addictions. I felt hopeless. I felt there was no escape.

But there was hope. Jesus was my hope. Through Him, everything is forgivable, including the unforgivable. By forgiving me, He gave me hope, and hope is a powerful thing. It can overcome anything.

3. I Was Reborn

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Forgiveness of my sins was only the first step to salvation. Far more important was the ability to be reborn. The ability to become someone new. Someone I did not hate.

Through Jesus, I was able to believe that I can become the person I really want to be because through Him I can be anyone I want to be. I can rise above my pain and misery. I can rise just as He rose from the Cross.

4. I Had a New Focus

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33

When my addictions controlled me, they controlled my every thought. They consumed every waking moment in satisfying them. I thought of nothing but this. I didn’t even know if there was anything but this.

But Christ gave me a focus. He gave me something more powerful than any substance. Instead of thinking about my addictions, I thought of Him and His unconditional love for me. My body may have been shaking, but my mind was steady and unfailing.

5. I Had an Alternative to Substances

“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.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

I developed multiple addictions to substances because I was in pain, and I was looking for something to take it away. But substances did not take the pain away. They only masked it and made the pain worse.

In Jesus, I was able to find what I had been looking for all along and overcome addiction. He was the cure for my pain and misery. He alone was able to me what I had been looking for: a pathway toward being truly happy. Happy with who I was and what I was and why I was put on this earth.

6. I Found Humility

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11

Reaching bottom was actually a good thing because it showed me that I was powerless. That I alone could not conquer my demons.

Jesus gave me humility, which let me know that I needed help. That I needed Him. Instead of continuing to do it my way — a way that led nowhere — I knew I had to do it His way. The only way.

To sum it all up…

Jesus may not have miraculously cured me of my addictions.

But He gave me something even better…

Jesus gave me everything I needed to overcome them myself through His love, His kindness, and for His glory

About Paige Taylor:

Paige Taylor is a faith-based life coach from Orlando, Florida, specializing in addiction. She strives to help those who battle with substance use disorder, and she occasionally writes for The Recovery Village.

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I LOVE hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

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Verses to Pray When You Need to be Sure God Loves You

8 / 9 / 18

Earlier this week, I shared a post about an email exchange I had with a reader who said…

“I’ve had a problem all of my adult years. I’ve been unable to feel God’s love.”

You can read the rest here.

I could relate to her email … I’ve had times when God felt distant and I doubted His love, times when life didn’t make sense and answers seemed distant.

Something I learned this week is that most of you can relate to the faith/feelings conundrum, too!

My earlier post shared a list of things I believe you and I need to know and do when the enemy taunts us with doubts that discourage and overwhelm us.

Be Honest with Yourself and God.
Take Your Doubts to God in Prayer.
Live Your Faith Until You Feel God’s Love.

Today I want to focus on #2 and pray…

Verses to Pray When You Need to be Sure God Loves You

God loves you!

Psalm 13:1–2

O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever? How long will You look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Father, thank you for showing us the honest men of faith throughout Scripture. Even David, “the man after God’s [Your] own heart” experienced times of doubt, times when You seemed distant.

I believe You want me to be honest about my feelings. I believe You want me to come to You with anything that troubles my heart or mind. I believe You hear my prayers and I believe You love me.

Thank you, Father! Please hold me close. Give me a sense of Your presence and love. “Lord, I believe. Please help my unbelief.” In Jesus name. Amen.

God loves you!

Romans 8:38

Father, Your Word tells me that You are love and You are with me … nothing in this world can separate me from Your perfect unfailing love. Forgive me, Father! Although I know Your Word is truth, I am still prone to fear and worry — things that distract me and tempt me to doubt Your promises. But Lord, no matter how I feel, nothing can ever change who You are. You are LOVE! I can trust You … today, tomorrow, and forever. Thank you! Amen.

God loves you!

Psalm 86:5–7

O Lord, You are so good, so ready to forgive,
so full of unfailing love for all who ask for Your help.
Listen closely to my prayer,
O Lord; hear my urgent cry.
I will call on You whenever I’m in trouble,
and You will answer me.

Father, thank you for every word of hope and promise, for faith-filled prayers of people like David, for examples that show me I can come to You with the rawness of my life … with my regrets and worries, doubts and fears. You love me and hear the cries of my heart. Thank you. Lord, may I remember to pray without ceasing, and may I come to You with my praise and gratitude more than I cry out for solutions and intervention.

You are love. Perfect love.

By Your grace and the power of Your Spirit, help me trust Your promises. Remove my doubt and fill me with the truth of Your Word. I will hold Your promises in my heart and remember that You are: patient and kind, forgiving and merciful, holy and just. Your love is a fact greater than my feelings. Thank you! Amen.

God loves you!

Lamentations 3:22–23

The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness;
His mercies begin afresh each morning.

Father, thank you for Your never-ending, unfailing love. Thank you for mercy that will never stop no matter how I feel or what I’ve done. Thank you for giving me a fresh start each morning.

I surrender my feelings to You today. I give You my doubts, my fears, my insecurities. Fill my heart and mind with Your truth. Help my faith to grow and may my feelings overflow with heartfelt love for You … the One who loves me most and best as You cover me with underserved mercy and grace. I love You, Lord. Thank you! Amen.

God loves you!

Psalm 23:6

Surely Your goodness and unfailing love
will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Father, You are good. Your love never fails. And because of Your perfect goodness and love, You pursue me. You work in my life in ways that are always for my good and for Your glory. Open my eyes that I might see the mighty and beautiful things You are doing in my life. Fill me with the things of Your Spirit – with faith, hope, and love.

Give me an eternal perspective Lord, full of hope and promise knowing that I can trust You completely. Whatever my feelings, nothing will change who You are … Holy and Perfect Lord of lords and King of kings, Creator, Redeemer, Comforter, Father, and Friend.

Thanks and praise now and forever. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Friend, the truth is … our hearts and minds deceive us. We’ve been told to “trust our guts” even though we know gut feelings are less than reliable.

But we have someone in our lives who is perfectly reliable. Someone who loves us so much He died to show us…

I read the following in my Life Application Bible Notes this week…

If the Bible makes no other point, it shouts this one: God loves us! His love had no beginning and is incredibly patient. All we need to do is respond, not try to earn what is freely offered.

God has said in many ways, “I love you. I have demonstrated that love to you by all I’ve done for you. I have even sacrificed my Son, Jesus, to pay the price for what is unacceptable about you—your sin. Now, live because of my love. Respond to me, love me with your whole being; give yourself to me in thanksgiving, not as payment.” [The price has already been paid!]

Live life fully. In the freedom of knowing you are loved!

No matter how you and I feel, the fact is … God loves you!

Have a wonderful weekend and rest in the Father’s perfect love!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

I Quit! – How Fear of Failure Kept Me from Finishing

by Diane Ferreira
@ Worth Beyond Rubies

When You Don’t Know How to Embrace the Delay

by Maree Dee
@ Embracing Life in the Midst of the Unexpected

Did You Make it Home this Summer”

by Carlie Lake
@ From Dust Towards the Heavens

AND the…

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Things You Need to Know When You Don’t Feel God’s Love

8 / 6 / 188 / 13 / 18

Earlier this summer I received the following email from a reader…

I’ve had a problem all of my adult years. I’ve been unable to feel God’s love. He is always very remote for me. I have almost constant feelings of guilt. I try to be a Christ-like person, but too often fall short in my thoughts. I have a very difficult time getting rid of unChirstlike thoughts, When someone hurts me, I try to forgive, yet I ruminate on the injury. I just can’t stop the thoughts so I feel like I’m displeasing God. I feel his disapproval. I read scriptures to help me. I have many memorized. I have whole chapters of scriptures memorized. I pray and read the scriptures daily. I do good things, yet those feelings remain. I attend church every Sunday.

I just wondered if you had any suggestions. Maybe it’s lack of faith on my part and I just need to accept that God loves me as I am.

I replied to her email with the following…

I’m so often humbled by God’s timing as He works in our lives. I found myself nodding as I read through your words because I can so relate to times when I long for an extra measure of the feeling of God’s love and He seems silent.

One thing I know for sure – God loves you and He is with you! You are seeking Him and He promises that He will be found by those who seek Him. And that He is with them.

I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will search for me. And when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me! Jeremiah 29:11–13

“Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

These are the verses I hold close when I don’t feel God’s love or His closeness in my life.

I’m certain of this as well. It is Satan, the enemy of our souls, who wants you to doubt God’s love and presence; he is the one who wants you to doubt God’s forgiveness and continue to struggle with guilt.

God promises that if you and I repent … He forgives us. He promises His love and presence. I remind myself that even when I don’t feel Him with me. He is.

A Scripture I turn to and trust is Psalm 139.

O Lord, You have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from Your presence!

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in Your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered
I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
You are still with me!
v. 1–7, 16–18

You are are seeking Him and doing all the things you should be doing to grow closer to Him. You are doing the things that honor Him and please Him. Try not to let your feelings get in the way – He is pleased with you and He loves you! You can trust His promises.

Thank you so much for reaching out! It is always a blessing to hear from one of my readers.

God bless you! Deb

I’ve thought about this email exchange often since and wondered if you might also have times when God seems silent … when you don’t feel His love. So, I made a list of things I want to do when my feelings and faith fall flat.

Things to Do When You Don’t Feel God’s Love

1. Be Honest with Yourself and with God

I love that you and I can turn to the pages of Scripture and find many examples of men and women who honestly struggled as they walked with God. Even David, the “man after God’s own heart” honestly voiced His feelings of emptiness and longing.

O Lord, how long will You forget me? Forever?
How long will You look the other way?
How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
with sorrow in my heart every day?
How long will my enemy have the upper hand?
Psalm 13:1–2

2. Take it to God in Prayer

And we are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. 1 John 5:14

You and I can be confident that God wants us to seek Him, to grow in faith, to trust His love, and to experience His loving presence. When we pray to know and love Him more, we can be assured that He will not only hear our prayers … He will work in our lives to grant our request.

3. Live Your Faith Until You Feel God’s Love

When you and I can’t feel God’s loving presence – it’s important to remember feelings are just that … they’re feelings. They are not necessarily the truth.

God is always with us. So, even when our faith feels small—God is near.

I love the account in Mark 9:17–29 – Jesus’ disciples had been trying unsuccessfully to deliver a boy from an evil spirit.

As Jesus approached them, the father of the boy pleads, “Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”

Jesus answered, “What do you mean, ‘If I can’? Anything is possible if a person believes.”

And then my favorite part…

The father instantly cried out, “Lord, I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

Jesus responded by healing his son.

I believe the most important thing you and I need to remember is…

God’s love is a fact not a feeling!

God is love! 1 John 4:8

Our feelings don’t, they won’t, they can’t, change God’s love.

While you and I were still sinners – God sent Jesus!

God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:9–10

He promises His love is never-ending.

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22–23

And that nothing can separate us from His love.

So, where does that leave you and me?

Thanking and praising God – for His faithful forever love!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

That’s a prayer and a promise to hold close to our hearts each and every day!

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