When You Need to Know How to Be Strong – Put God First

When you and I know and trust God's promises we can put God first and live with the strength we need to follow His will even when life is crazy and hard. #Bible #Promises #Seek #Blessings #Faith

Would you describe yourself as someone who is strong? What about your faith? Is your faith strong?

I would like to be able to answer with a resounding “yes” consistently but the fact is, I’ve had times when I’m humbled by the strength God has given me and times when I’m ashamed at the way I’ve allowed fear to overwhelm me.

I’ve heard Jesus say…

Why do you have so little faith?

The truth is, my faith is weak when I fail to trust Jesus’ promise…

All the people in the world are trying to get these things, and your Father knows you need them. But seek God’s kingdom, and all your other needs will be met as well.
Luke 12:30–31 (NCV)

My faith is weak when I fail to seek God first … when life gets crazy busy and distractions lead to worry and anxiety.

You see, I’ve learned that I struggle most when I fail to consistently seek God first.

Which made me ask myself … what does seeking a God-first life look like?

I believe the answer is…

A God-First Life Trusts God’s Promises and Surrenders to God’s Will.

Before I can trust God’s promise … I need to know God’s promises!

Promises like:

For Your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 57:10

For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, . . . is God’s ultimate “Yes,” He always does what He says.For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.
2 Corinthians 1:19–20

But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
1 John 1:9

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27

The next thing I need to surrender is my will to the truth of God’s promises.

But I’m going to be honest with you. I fall short! I look around and see the many bad things happening in this sinful world and that’s when doubts creep in tempting me to hold back a little, trust a little less and do a little more of whatever I can to be in control my of own circumstances.

Yes, I’m guilty.

Like Eve, I have LISTENED TO THE ENEMY’s WORDS IN THE GARDEN. “DID GOD REALLY SAY?”

Maybe you can relate.

The problem is, when you and I fail to take those “Did God really say” doubts to the truth of God’s Word, we start to question His absolute truth and give ourselves permission to tweak His will a little here and there to make it align more comfortably with culture so we can be in control.

It’s crazy how many painful consequences we experience because we, like Eve and Adam, listen to the original words of temptation and allow our doubts to not only question but edit God’s will.

Imagine what would happen if we stopped before we grabbed the apple and took that bite? If we took our questions and doubts straight to God … surrendering our will again and trusting His promises one more time to give us the strength and power we need?

I love these words of Isaiah…

Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths
of His understanding.
He gives power to the weak
    and strength to the powerless.
Isaiah 40:28–29

God wants us to bring our doubts and questions to Him, so He can replace them with the truth. Absolute truth which is able to give us His power and strength.

Which is what we need to live a God-first life.

So, I’ve written 5 steps I want to consistently apply to my life to have the power and strength I need.

Power and strength He is able to give me.

Power and strength God wants to give me.

5 Steps to Help You Put God First

1. MAKE SPENDING TIME WITH GOD A PRIORITY.

I like the saying, “Make time for quiet moments, as God whispers and the world is loud.”

It’s true. The world is shouting ideas and values that are contrary to God’s Word. I know I need to spend time in prayer, read my Bible, memorize His promises, and spend time with people who put God first if I want to know His truth and trust His will.

Jesus said, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:31–32

2. TAKE EVERY DOUBT AND QUESTION TO GOD.

When the enemy tempts me to doubt and question God’s will … I need to take those feelings and frustrations to God. I need to ask Him to show me the truth and give me everything I need to surrender my will to Him.

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

3. TAKE A PRIORITY ASSESSMENT.

I’m taking a look at my calendar and budget. I’m assessing my emotional health. I want to know where I’m spending my time, money, and effort. Then I will evaluate my attitudes and decide if the way I’m living really demonstrates God-first living.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5–6

4. ASK GOD FOR HELP TO START MAKING CHANGES.

When I know where my time, money, and efforts are being spent, it’s time to pray. I need God’s help to completely surrender every area of my life but I believe He will help me trust His will and start making choices that put Him first.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

5. TRUST GOD’S LOVE

I plan on repeating the following phrase as often as necessary… “God loves me. I am His child. He knows and wants what is best for me in every situation and every relationship.”

Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 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 8:37–39

I have victory in Jesus and with His help, I can put God first and love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

I FOUND THE FOLLOWING BY RICK WARREN On Ways to Put God First:

Finances. If you want God to bless your finances, even during a recession, you must tithe. Sorry! There’s no other alternative.
Interests. Put Him first in your hobbies, your career, and your recreation. Give God first consideration in every decision.
Relationships. Put Him first in your family, your marriage, and your friendships.
Schedule. That means you give Him the first part of every day. You get up and sit on the side of your bed every morning and say, “God if I don’t get anything else done today, I just want to love you a little bit more and know you a little bit better.”
Troubles. You need to turn to God first when you have a problem. Prayer should never be your last resort. It should be your first choice.

When you and I put God first in everything … life is better.

We will have the strength we need and be blessed with the joy we want no matter what is going on around us.

Don’t believe me?

Look around. How does the other way seem to be working for people?

Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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When You Need to Know God Never Changes

6 / 3 / 196 / 1 / 19

I have something to confess…

When life feels fragile and the news is upsetting, I need to remember that God never changes and wisdom says there is nothing new under the sun. #Faith #BibleStudy #Wisdom #Truth #SeekFirst

I can be a pretty passionate hand-wringer.

I know, I’ve told you I’m in recovery when it comes to worry and anxiety, and I am … really! At least that’s what I tell myself. (Picture an awkward smile here.)

But the truth is … the news, a controversial post on social media, or a divisive op-ed can agitate me in a matter of seconds.

When I see the ways the enemy is at work trying to turn us against each other, I’ll admit I occasionally find myself worrying about the future for us, for our children and our grandchildren.

I’ve even been known to do a little ranting about it on occasion. Based on the emails I receive, and the posts and comments I read online … I’m not the alone in this struggle.

Which is why I’m stopping today to remind myself of one very important truth…

God Never Changes!

It’s easy to look around, focus on the negative, and get upset when it seems like culture is on a path to self-destruction. But take a look at the wisdom of Solomon…

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.
Ecclesiastes 1:9

When I read through Bible as history … the evidence is clear, sin has been sin since the Garden.

People are selfish, prideful, and power hungry. They manipulate the truth for personal gain and do what it takes for popularity.

But God said about Himself through James…

Don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
James 1:16–17

And through the writer of Hebrews, He said this…

God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.
Hebrews 6:17–18a

And the promise is Jesus…

These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest.
Hebrews 18b–19

Which makes me stop and ask the question…

How do I keep my hope anchored on the truth when the world shouts louder than God’s gentle whisper?

And that’s when I realize this 3-part answer…

1. Read God’s Word – Old and New Testaments.

I know, life is busy and our time is limited. So, if you and I are able to find time to read our Bibles at all, it’s tempting to stick with the parts that are interesting and easier to understand.

I get it … traveling through the wilderness with the Children of Israel can seem like it’s actually taking 40 years and it’s easy to wonder how the accounts of judges and kings apply to the 21st Century. But reading through the Old Testament reminds me how often I sound like a whiney wilderness wanderer and begin to know that it’s true … “nothing under the sun is truly new.”

This year I’m following the Bible Reading Plan at the back of the Life Application Bible. It “offers a complete view of Scripture and does so without being overwhelming” by skipping repeated material. I have a little more time for study this year, so I decided to add a Psalm or a few verses from Proverbs, and a section from my favorite books of the New Testament (John, Romans, or 1, 2, 3 John).

As I’m reading, I write the verses that stand out to me in my journal and when I’m done I write a prayer based on what I’ve read.

So, part #2 is…

2. Pray

About everything always!

Never stop praying.
1 Thessalonians 5:17

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
Colossians 4:2

You and I can trust the God who promises to hear us…

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
1 John 5:14

And calm our fears…

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Psalm 34:4

Because He loves us…

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.
1 John 4:9

I haven’t always kept a prayer journal but I’ve discovered this year that I love writing my prayers. Putting my words on paper slows me down and helps me really think about what I’m praying. And I love being able to go back and see the ways God has worked on my heart and mind as I’ve cried out to Him.

The next one is important. At least it is for me…

3. Take the Philippians Challenge.

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 … then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:19, 20b

Last week, I made the decision to stop following anything or anyone that posts negative rants on social media and I stopped watching all news outlets.

I get to choose what I read, listen to, and watch. I also need to carefully choose what I think about and I’ve decided that for me, it’s self-defeating to dine on a constant diet of messages that discourage my mind and hurt my heart.

When I do these three things, I am better able to…

Trust the God Who Never Changes

The One who has faithfully kept His promises in the past and will keep His promises in the future … God never changes!

What makes me so sure?

He gave us Jesus, the fulfillment of all God’s promises … from the Word spoken in the Garden, to kings and prophets—Jesus is God’s answer.

And when I’m “still.” When I fix my focus on Jesus. When I listen to the Holy Spirit … I’m not worried!

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.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:26–27

Because God, who created everything, sent Jesus to suffer our punishment and give us eternal life. And for today’s struggle, He has given us His Spirit’s presence to help us remember the truth about His grace, mercy, and love.

So, I’m taking some time to turn away from the stuff that agitates me and spending more time thanking God for the gift of the peace I have in Jesus. And with the Holy Spirit as my Helper … I will reject hand-wringing and remember – God never changes!

Care to join me?!

Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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

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When You Need to Know if Something is From God

7 / 26 / 187 / 26 / 18

Today’s post is the #1 most popular post here at Counting My Blessings. It’s been read more than 400,000 times. I pray it blesses you!

In case you missed any of the first six posts from the Countdown to #1 Series – you can check them out here:

7 of the Best Verses to Inspire Your Worship of God

25 of the Best Ways to Love Yourself the Way God Wants

The Best Ways to Teach Your Child Humble Confidence

12 Things You Need to Know About God that Will Make You Humble

How to Trust God’s NO When You are Suffering

5 Verses that will Help When You Need to Be Still and Listen

Verses that will Help When You Need to Know God’s Will

And now …

When You Need to Know if Something is From God

Do you ever wonder whether you are following God’s will or plan for your life?

Do you worry that you might be heading in the wrong direction?

Do you wish God would clearly write out His to-do list for your day so you could plan in advance?

Yep, me too!

Throughout his years in ministry, Rev received a number of offers to serve at a variety of churches and non-profits. And I had to decide whether I should go back to teaching full-time, part-time or if I should stay at home with our children.

But career choices were just the beginning!

There were also decisions like…

How many children should we have? Where should our children go to school or should we homeschool? Where should we live? Is that the right house for us? The right church family? When should we retire? How should we plan or prepare for the future?

What should we do?

The questions can seem endless, don’t they?

Sometimes it’s easy to tell if something is from God, if it’s His will, other times are harder.

Life decisions can be one of the greatest causes of stress in our lives.

So the question we all ask is this…

“How can I know if something is from God?”

There are things you and I can do to help when we want our decisions to be in line with God’s will.

Steps to Knowing if Something is From God

♥ Pray

Always begin with prayer. It sounds simple but too often it’s the last thing you and I do, rather than the first. I believe God wants us to turn to Him in prayer right away, asking for His help and guidance, and trusting He will direct us according to His will.

Pray that the Lord your God will show us what to do and where to go. Jeremiah 42:3

♥ Glorify God

Ask — Will this decision glorify God?

“God will never guide you to do something that will not give Him glory.”

Other questions to help you know if a decision will glorify God are: “Does this bless my relationship with my family? Does it make it possible for me to serve others? What will my attitude be if I do this? If I don’t do this? Etc.”

Give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Romans 6:13

♥ Agree with Scripture

Will the demands of this decision align with God’s will as He revealed it in the Bible?

God’s Word clearly communicates the things that are important to Him. Read it. Study it. Pray it.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 2 Timothy 3:16

God’s will always includes love … love for Him and love for others. If your “something” doesn’t include love, it’s not God’s will!

♥ Be Willing to Wait

Be patient. God’s will is always worth the wait. You can trust His timing.

If something is God’s will, He will help you while you wait. It’s okay to slow down. Don’t rush into things – when the timing is right God will let you know.

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

♥ Trust God to accomplish His will in your life

God will fulfill His promises and accomplish His will for you.

The truth is I’ve been impatient more often than I care to admit. But I’m learning I can watch and wait . . . God will do what He says He will do, and He will accomplish His will in His timing.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

It’s important to know that there will be times when you will do these things and still be uncertain about God’s direction for you.

That’s okay.

You can trust that if God wants something specific in your life He will make it clear.

If you’ve prayed, asked, studied, waited and trusted and still have no clear answer … just keep moving forward.

The good news is if you are trusting and glorifying God with your life you can move ahead confidently.

Rev and I have had times when the choice was clear . . . so clear in fact, we had to change our plans midway.

Occasionally, we’ve asked God to clearly show us His will through specific events that helped to make it easier for us to make a decision.

And I will honestly tell you, there have been a few times when after doing all we knew to do, we still felt uncertain.

So, we just lived each day…

And you can too!

Trust God’s love and lean into His grace and mercy. You can be confident that God will make any specific plans He has for you clear. You don’t have to live in fear of His displeasure when you sincerely seek His will.

Trust God! He is with you!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11–13

Seek God’s will and live your life for His glory.

Your Father wants the best for you and He is able to accomplish it!

This Week’s Friday Favorites

Highlights from the Week!

The Mean Girl in My Head

by Christine Wood
@ Living With Margins

Is Prayer Enough?

by Lisa Burgess
@ Lisa Notes…

How to Avoid Being a Tw0-Faced Christian

by Michelle Skillern
@ MRSDesigns

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When You Need to Know God’s Will for Today

4 / 9 / 184 / 9 / 18

Some days I get up and I’ll admit, I’m thinking big picture wondering what God wants me to do with however many years I have left?

But most of the time, I just want to get through today.

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Rejoice, be glad, and live today.

Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

If only I could do that consistently.

I worry about the mess I made yesterday and the possibilities of tomorrow even though Jesus said…

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Matthew 6:34a

Did you know the verse before is the what we should do instead of worrying? And it’s my verse of the year…

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

Seek God’s will for today and live!

Why is that so much harder to do than it is to say? Because I’m prone to second-guessing yesterday and fretting about tomorrow.

I want to do better.

I want to seek God’s will and live today.

That’s it! So, I’m fleshing it out and getting specific.

When You Need to Know God’s Will for Today

I need to start with the following…

1. Let go of yesterday!

♥ Ask God to forgive my sins, failures, mistakes, and messes of the past.
♥ Forgive the people whose sins, failures, mistakes, and messes have hurt me.

I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13

On my own, whew, it’s hard to let go of yesterday … but with God’s help, I can do His will even when it’s hard.

2. Don’t worry about tomorrow!

I know worry robs me of today’s peace and joy, and truthfully it doesn’t improve tomorrow at all! I can’t live today well if I’m fretting about tomorrow.

“If you want to be happy, do not dwell in the past, do not worry about the future, focus on living fully in the present.” ~ Roy T. Bennet

Okay – being free of guilt and worry is a great start… what else does God want for my day – today?

3. Love Him – Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength

But what does that mean? How do I make that more than just words?

♥ Heart – I will make God my heart’s desire.
♥ Soul – I will trust God and surrender my will (attitudes and intentions), my emotions, my thoughts and feelings, and my body to the truth of His Word.
♥ Mind – I will use my knowledge, my reason, and intellect to know God better each day.
♥ Strength – I will honor God with my abilities, my resources, my service, and the way I love the people around me.

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. Mark 12:30

4. Love Others

Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27b

I believe God wants us to serve Him right where we are. That doesn’t me we can’t pursue new goals or move toward new opportunities.

But today…

You and I should simply do what He has given us to do. Be the best spouse, parent, child, coworker, neighbor, and citizen we can be. We’re not called to “do it all.” We’re called to do our best and love the people in front of us.

For me, that often has more to do with my attitude than my actions; so, I need to remember…

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23

And do it…

5. All with an Eternal Perspective

I believe keeping an eternal perspective is the hardest part because everything else is right in front of us.

The messes I need to confess and forgive, the problems I worry about, the challenges that keep me from loving and serving well, and … well, you get the idea.

Life is hard!

Which is why you and I need an eternal perspective.

Most of the hard things of life lose their power when I ask myself a few important questions:

Will this matter ten years from now?

Will I even remember next year?

What is God’s view of today’s trouble? How does He want to use this in my life?

What do I need to do to live this moment for God’s glory?

It’s funny my attitude changes when I turn my focus from the problem to the problem Solver – to God Himself.

Two verses keep running through my heart and my head.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5–6

Whatever this day brings, good, bad, or somewhere in between, I don’t have to face it alone. God invites you and me to trust Him, to turn to Him, to ask, seek, and knock. He knows the way.

He is the way. He is eternal, the First and Last … the beginning and the end. And He’s given us a glimpse of His eternal plan so we can live today with His eternal perspective.

You and I can live today without guilt – when we know we are forgiven; without resentment – when we forgive; without worry – when we trust God’s promises for the future; with love – when we focus on the love He gives us to share with others.

It’s just a better way to live.

Today is a new day. A beautiful gift. It holds 24 hours of opportunities, choices, and attitudes. God has given us everything we need to live it for Him. It is precious and full of hope and promise.

I want to make today the best day possible; after all, it’s a one of a kind opportunity. 24 hours, 1,440 minutes, 86,400 breath receiving seconds.

I want to live it for God and for His glory!

I want to…

Love God and His people, all of them.

Know God and make Him known.

Trust Him, seek His will, and follow where He leads.

So, with His help, I will…

1. Repent and forgive.
2. Don’t worry.
3. Love God.
4. Love my people.
5. Keep an eternal perspective.

That’s it! God’s will for today!

What do you think? What is God’s will for living one day at a time?

Leave your prayer requests…

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

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4 Things to Learn about Trusting God in the Psalms

6 / 28 / 176 / 2 / 18

Some days trust comes easy other days, not so much!

When the road ahead looks smooth I will effortlessly follow where God leads me without hesitation but when it gets rough my steps slow as anxiety rises.

I want my trust to be big enough to handle even the bumpiest days . . . trust that keeps its eyes on the One who controls the wind and waves, not on the storm.

So, what do I do when my anxiety rises and I need to trust God more? I turn to the Book of Psalms.

That’s why I was so excited to receive this post from my friend, Dawn Klinge, to share with you this week. I was blessed to meet Dawn in person a couple of months ago, and I just love her. She is gentle and kind with big faith.

She writes that her hope for the words of her blog, Above the Waves, is . . . “to encourage people to let go of worry and to trust in God and His amazing grace.”

I love that!

So, please make her feel welcome and be blessed by her sweet words of encouragement as she shares promises from the Psalms…

4 Things to Learn about Trusting God in the Psalms

The Psalms were created for worship. They’re a collection of songs and poems that demonstrate a full range of honest emotions and show what a relationship with God looks like. David wrote most, but not all, of the Psalms. We can learn a lot about the attributes of God from these verses.

One of the attributes of God that stand out clearly in the Psalms is that He is trustworthy. The psalmists followed God and trusted Him. When we seek God and trust Him, we, too, can rely on these truths.

WE CAN TRUST GOD FOR PROTECTION

“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” Psalm 61:1-3

“The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” Psalm 121:7-8

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Psalm 91:4

WE CAN TRUST GOD TO DELIVER ON HIS PROMISES

“In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and You delivered them.” Psalm 22:4

“God’s way is perfect. All the LORD’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.” (NLT) Psalm 18:30

GOD ALONE IS THE BEST PLACE TO PLACE YOUR TRUST.

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” Psalm 118:8

“Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him.” Psalm 62:5

WE CAN TRUST IN GOD’S STEADFAST, UNFAILING LOVE

“But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.” Psalm 135:5

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1

I’m thankful for these promises. Reading the Psalms is a good way to remind ourselves of who our God is and why we can place our trust in Him. The Psalms give us words to praise Him with- for what He has done in the past, what He’s doing now, and for what He has promised to do in our lives as we follow Him.

I pray these verses that I’ve shared here today will be a source of encouragement to you as you read them.

Dawn is a freelance writer and Christian blogger who loves encouraging women to keep their focus on Jesus. She’s the author of Look to Jesus: How to Let Go of Worry and Trust God. She’s a wife and mom to two teens. A Seattle girl, she loves books and coffee. You can find her at Above the Waves.

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5 Verses & Prayers that will Help You Trust God More

5 / 12 / 175 / 15 / 17

When I’m struggling. When I don’t know what to do next. When I’m anxious about the path God is placing before me . . . I go to the Psalms.

Because David penned words there that are raw and honest. It almost feels like I’m getting a peek at his personal journal.

“Lord, I’m afraid. I need You. I’m sorry. I’m a mess. Help me.”

Yep, it looks a lot like my prayer journal.

So, I’ve pulled five passages that encourage me when I’m doubting God’s plan. Words that give me strength when He’s leading me through something I’d rather go around and inspire to keep going when the path looks hard and I want to quit.

5 Verses & Prayers that will Help You Trust God More

Psalm 25:4-5

5 Verses and Prayer that will Help You Trust God More - Counting My Blessings

Show me the right path, O Lord;
    point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
    for You are the God who saves me.
    All day long I put my hope in You.
Psalm 25:4–5

Father, I feel like I’m at a crossroads. I want to honor You and follow the path You want for me. Please make Your will clear. Show me the path to take. I will study Your Word to know Your truth. Please give me the courage to willingly accept even rocky paths knowing You are with me. I love it when life is smooth and easy but I know You sometimes choose to allow bumps to draw me close and help me grow. So, I put my hope in You that whatever the journey holds for me, You will never leave me or forsake me. Thank you, Father. Amen.

Psalm 139:7–10
I can never escape from Your Spirit!
     I can never get away from Your presence!
 If I go up to heaven, You are there;
     if I go down to the grave, You are there.
 If I ride the wings of the morning,
     if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
  even there Your hand will guide me,
     and Your strength will support me. 
 Psalm 139:7–10
Oh, Father, how I love these words of Your servant, David. Wherever I am, You are there guiding, strengthening, supporting. Wow! When life is hard and I’m frightened I’m so thankful I can lean on You. I know you will meet my every need according to Your plans and purposes for me. And I believe Your grace is sufficient for every circumstance. Even when I walk through a dark valley, You are always with me. Help me keep my eyes on You and fill me with the joy of Your presence. In Jesus name. Amen.
Psalm 32:7–8For You are my hiding place;
     You protect me from trouble.
     You surround me with songs of victory. 

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.
Psalm 32:7–8

Oh, Father, how I love that You guide me. You are my loving Father, who wants to shelter and protect me yet, I foolishly and stubbornly go my own way. Forgive me. Help me. I believe Your way is best but when I take my eyes off You, I am so easily tempted to get myself into trouble. Please help me follow You on the path that leads to lasting victory. In Jesus name, thanks and praise now and forever. Amen.

Psalm 109:104–105

5 Verses and Prayer that will Help You Trust God More - Counting My Blessings

Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Your Word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
Psalm 109:104–105

Your Word . . . I am so thankful! You have given us Your written Word. You surround us with Your Spirit who helps us understand and follow Your commands. And You have given us Jesus, the Word made flesh. I have everything I need to follow You. Thank you. Help me stay on the lighted path trusting that You will give me everything needed to more forward one step at a time. Thank you, Father. By Your grace and with Your help, I will follow where You lead. Amen.

Psalm 48:14

This God is our God forever and ever.
He will guide us from now on.
Psalm 48:14

Father, You are God eternal. The One who is forever and ever and always. You know the beginning from the end. You know my beginning from my end . . . exactly what I need to grow closer to You. Father, You’ve been with me through my failures and hurts and cover me with healing and forgiveness. I surrender myself to You and offer You my day. I want to live each moment for Your glory. Guide me. Help me. I know when You are with me I can do even those things that seem impossible. Thank You, Father. In Jesus name and with His help. Amen.

Those are my favorite Psalms when I need to remember God is with me, guiding me and giving me all I need to follow Him.

What are your favorite verses to ponder and pray when you need to trust God more?

Now it’s time for…

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!

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I’m excited to share the following posts with you this week.

The Amazing Struggle

by Shannon Geurin

@ Fiercely His

and

Why is Doctrine Important to Me

by Dawn Klinge

@ Above the Waves

Thank you, Shannon and Dawn, for partying with us!

No More Rules Link Party

Add 1-2 of your favorite faith/life posts.
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10 Tips to Ease Worry During Times of Transition

4 / 26 / 174 / 17 / 17

I remember the year our older daughter left for college, our son started high school, and our little bit went off to her first day of kindergarten.

I’d always been highly anxious (another word for worrier) anyway but with all of those changes happening at once . . . I became what some might refer to as hyper-anxious.

Oooh, it wasn’t pretty!

The thing is, change happens and the saying, “this too shall pass,” is true for both the good and the not so good parts of life.

Which is why I love this word of hope and encouragement from my friend, Dawn Klinge.

If you’re experiencing or even just anticipating a time of transition, this is for you.

I know, because I’m pretty sure she wrote it for me.

10 Tips to Ease Worry During Times of Transition

I‘ve prayed and given this to God. Now I simply need to take His hand and walk with him.

I wrote those words a few years ago when I was in the process of buying a new home. Still, in the process of getting those words from my head to a deeper knowing in my heart, I had to remind myself more than a few times of the truth I was holding onto.

The truth is . . . God always has been and always will be trustworthy.

Once again, I find myself in a time of transition. My oldest will be graduating from high school in a couple of months. Big changes are coming!

A new house, a graduation, an unwelcome diagnosis, a new job…whatever it is, we’ve all experienced transitions.

Transitions are often uncomfortable.

As humans, we tend to want to know what to expect, next. It helps us feel like we’re in control. Times of transition and change are full of unknowns. This can be exciting, but sometimes, it can also be scary.

“Craving clarity, we attempt to eliminate the risk of trusting God. Fear of the unknown path stretching ahead of us destroys childlike trust in the Father’s active goodness and unrestricted love.” ― Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God

Knowing who God is (He is completely sovereign, perfect in love, and infinite in wisdom) is where trusting Him starts.

Asking for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, to help us trust Him is also essential. After praying and leaving a heavy burden with God, we may experience instant peace — or we may not.

But it doesn’t change the fact that God is in control and He is trustworthy.

Often, I need to discipline my thoughts and come back to prayer, again and again, when a situation is particularly stressful.

Here’s what the Bible says about worry,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

The following list contains ten suggestions that work for me.

They are practical steps I take when a problem is weighing heavily on my mind and I’m faced with uncertainty and change:

1. Open up the Bible, read, and pray

2. Write out my thoughts

3. Ask a few close friends to pray for me

4. Laugh. Spend some time with someone who makes me laugh, watch a comedy, read a book. Don’t take everything so seriously!

5. Move: walk, run, swim…whatever

6. Make a list of what needs to be done

7. Tackle the tasks in bite-sized pieces. Break it down.

8. Talk about it and problem solve, but put limits on how long I’ll do this before taking a break.

9. Work as a team with my spouse or ask for help from a friend. God puts us in each other’s lives so that we can be His hands and feet. Be humble enough to accept help when needed.

10. Get enough sleep and eat healthy.

If you’re in the midst of change, if you don’t know what to expect and you’re worried, I want to encourage you to look to Jesus as your rock.

He never changes.

He always has been and always will be worthy of our trust.

He loves you very much.

Give your cares to Him, take His hand, walk with Him, and see where He leads you.

Bio: Dawn is a freelance writer and Christian blogger who loves encouraging women to keep their focus on Jesus. She’s the author of Look to Jesus: How to Let Go of Worry and Trust God. She’s a wife and mom to two teens. A Seattle girl, she loves books and coffee.

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Finding Reasons to Be Thankful in All Circumstances

11 / 7 / 1611 / 7 / 16

I’m not proud of this…

I’ve had too many times in my life when all I could focus on was the problem. Like the eight years we struggled with secondary infertility, or when Rev was so sick, or when I allowed a problem with a child to consume my thoughts. And if I sat here for a few more minutes I could probably make a list that would fill the page.

Times I let my problems and fear become greater than my trust in God.

And today, I feel like that’s what I’m seeing in our nation.

Tomorrow our nation is going to elect a president.

And honestly, I can hardly read through my social media feed at the moment. I have friends on both sides of the aisle and they are fired up and afraid. It’s interesting to me how frightened so many seem to be at the thought of the other side “winning.”

“What if” seems to be the prevailing attitude.

We’re allowing fear and divisiveness to run rampant and we’re forgetting we have so much to be thankful for in this country.

You and I can be the change. We can start a revolution.

A Gratitude Revolution

We can be thankful for what we have and stop worrying about what we might not.

7 Things to be Thankful for About America and the Election

1. We Live in a Free Country.

All we have to do is look around the world to know what an amazing blessing it is to be an American citizen. So many have sacrificed themselves for our freedom. Thank God and thank those in service.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson

2. We are Free to Believe What We Want.

Look around. Notice all the different views, opinions, and beliefs shared on social media. Look at all the different churches, organizations, and groups. Celebrate that freedom, it’s a blessing.

“A free people, free to believe as we wish, free to speak our minds, free to raise our children as we see fit, will make no mistake about it, endure.” ~Nick Rahall

3. We Can Share Our Beliefs.

I hear people complaining about the limiting of the Christian voice and although I understand what they are saying . . . I still write a faith-sharing blog and openly talk about what I believe without fear.

It is possible we should do a better job of self-controlling the ways we communicate what we believe but what a blessing to be able to speak freely without fear.

“When we share our stories, what it does is, it opens up our hearts for other people to share their stories. And it gives us the sense that we are not alone on this journey.” ~Janine Shepherd

4. We Can Openly Practice Our Beliefs.

You and I are free to gather with other people who share our beliefs without fear of retribution from our government and we can live each day with applying those beliefs to everything we do.

“If what you believe doesn’t affect how you live, then it isn’t very important.” ~ Dick Nogleberg

5. We Can Exercise Those Beliefs by Voting.

Put your beliefs into practice tomorrow by voting. Pray. Don’t allow fear to guide you but know what each candidate stands for by reading their platform. Make an informed decision, not an emotional one. Celebrate the fact that you live in a country where you are free to cast your ballot.

“Democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” ~Winston Churchill

6. God is on the Throne.

God is sovereign today and He will still be sovereign the day after tomorrow even if the candidate you’re choosing is not on their way to the White House. Set your focus on Him and refuse to join in divisive dialogue.

From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit^[a] of God. Revelation 4:5

7. God Will Use the Outcome for His Plans and Purposes.

The outcome of the election may surprise you but it will not surprise God. He knows the beginning from the end and He will use whatever He allows and accomplish His will.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

Jesus promised we would have problems. Life will not always go the way we want it to go. You and I have to decide whether we trust God to be greater than our circumstances. Whether we believe He is able to use our circumstances and work something good out of them that will bring Him glory.

Have you read through the Old Testament lately?

In 1st and 2nd Kings there were 8 good kings and 11 bad kings. God used King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to accomplish His purposes. (Read the first eight chapters of Daniel.) God used the pagan King Cyrus, of Persia, to accomplish His plans for His people. (Read Isaiah 45)

God used King Herod to call a census to fulfill the promise of the Savior born in Bethlehem. And He used ungodly leaders to drive His people to their knees in prayer and to spread Christianity throughout the world.

I’m not promising the days ahead will be pleasant or easy, and I know we prefer pleasant and easy. I’m promising God will use this to accomplish His kingdom purposes.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t always believed . . . like the years when I failed to see His power at work in and through our problems.

And I was wrong!

God was always at work and wow, am I thankful for His patience and forgiveness.

I promise God’s power will never fail. Even when we can’t see it or don’t understand . . . God is in control.

What you can do!

Vote in faith without fear.

Pray for the president-elect to turn to God.
Pray for our nation to turn to God.
Stop listening to those wringing their hands and refuse to join them.
Shine His light – speak more about God and His glory than you do the election.
Ask God to show you how He is working in the world.
Look for ways to help in your community and support ministries that do the same.

Stop listening to the enemy who wants to incite fear.

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. John 10:10–11

Trust God. Build your life on Him.

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

And be thankful – God’s got this.

Always be joyful.Never stop praying.Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

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It’s Time to Surrender Your Mess

10 / 7 / 157 / 7 / 16

Are you waiting on God to make something beautiful out of your mess?

To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:3

For the Children of Israel ashes were the result of sacrifices surrendered to the priest in obedience to God’s command.

You and I want beauty to replace our ashes, but I wonder if we want to surrender the sacrifice. To take our mess and obediently surrender it to the Lord.

Whether your mess is your own doing, someone else’s, or just because life is hard . . . it doesn’t matter.

It’s time to surrender your mess.

If it’s your mess – repent. Offer God your confession and admit His way is best.

If it’s someone else’s mess – forgive. Offer you hurt and anger to God and trust Him to take care of you.

If it’s just because life is hard – trust. Offer your fear and anxiety to God confident of His love for you.

God will give you a crown of beauty for ashes. He promised to take your sacrifice and turn it into something beautiful.

From the sacrifices of repentance, forgiveness, and trust . . . God gives the beauty of healing, peace, joy, and hope.

Are you longing for beauty in your life?

What mess do you need to sacrifice today?

Quotes to Inspire Surrender

“God wants you to be delivered from what you have done and from what has been done to you – Both are equally important to Him.” ~Joyce Meyer

Who is a God like You? You forgive sin and overlook the rebellion of Your faithful people. You will not be angry forever, because You would rather show mercy. Micah 7:18

“Our Savior kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, He reaches out in kindness and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of His grace, He scoops a palm full of mercy and washes our sin.” ~Max Lucado

I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:26

“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.” ~Martin Luther

The Lord, your God, loves you. Deuteronomy 23:5

“I am not a theologian or a scholar, but I am very aware of the fact that pain is necessary to all of us. In my own life, I think I can honestly say that out of the deepest pain has come the strongest conviction of the presence of God and the love of God.” ~Elisabeth Elliot

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11–12

Are you ready to offer your mess to God and let Him give you beauty for ashes?

Father, Thank you for Your forgiveness, healing, and love. Thank you for faithfully keeping Your promises. Thank you for taking our sacrificed messes and turning them into something beautiful. We are blessed. Praise and glory now and forever. Amen.

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