He is WITH You

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name ‘Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ ” —Matthew 1:23

In the midst of the jolly excitement this holiday season, there are many who are hurting and in need of healing. This verse reminds us that with the promise of a baby, a Savior, there was also a promise that God would be with us! His very name speaks the truth that the Lord dwells in us and with us. He can comfort us, heal us, protect us, and strengthen us. If you see someone walking though a difficult time this season, remind them of the blessing of Christmas- that our Savior came to be with us, and is ALWAYS with us even now. Shine Christ's light to the world this holiday and remember His amazing love for you!

Journey on!

The Gifts of the Season

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17

One of the fun parts of the holidays was always exchanging gifts with friends and family. Not merely because we cared about receiving "things" but because it gave us a chance to bless each other! There is something beautiful and satisfying about blessing another person. And when you receive a blessing, it inspires feelings of gratitude and love. The Lord has blessed us abundantly and given us amazing gifts every single day. We don't always take the opportunity to acknowledge all the ways in which we have been blessed, but I hope during this Christmas season, you will reflect on the people God has placed in your life, on the provision He has given over the year, on the warmth of a happy home or the security of a job. Whatever blessings God has given you this year, take time to thank Him for them! Gratitude is such a critical thing to have. What gifts has God given you this year?

Journey on!

Open Your Heart

God wants us to be generous in helping those who are in need. The Bible tells us in 1 John 3:17-18:

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."

Many are struggling to make ends meet, and they may not always come out and ask for help, but if we keep our eyes open and really listen to people, we will notice the ones who really need a helping hand. Take time this week to pay attention to those around you, at work or in your community, and pray for God to help you recognize opportunities to give. It could be financial, helping someone pay for groceries or buying something their children need, but it could also be by lending a hand. Maybe you could watch kids one day for a young mom who desperately needs a break, or take a meal to someone who is battling illness. Offer to help an overwhelmed co-worker with a project or give someone a ride. There are many ways to be generous and many ways to love others with our actions. How can you open your heart today?

Journey on!

Give Thanks

I read a statistic that says that if you have food in your fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep at night, you are richer than 75% of the world. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the many blessings we have, and it’s an opportunity to really focus on praising God for what he has provided. Take time this week to appreciate the things you might take for granted, and realize just how truly blessed you are. Thank God for those things and pray about ways that you can use what you have to bless others who need help. Meditate on the following verses, knowing that all the things we have are not truly ours, but come from our loving God:

"Yours, LORD, is the geatness and the power
   and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
   for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, LORD, is the kingdom;
   you are exalted as head over all.
Wealth and honor come from you;
   you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
   to exalt and give strength to all.
Now, our God, we give you thanks,
   and praise your glorious name."

1 Chronicles 29:11-13

Happy Thanksgiving, and Journey on!

Watch and Listen

When we’re driving, we have to keep our eyes on the road. We have to watch for redlights, warning signs, other cars, and many other things that protect us from hurting others and ourselves on the road.

As children of God, we have to keep our eyes focused on the only one who can see what lies ahead of us in life. God can see a bad situation long before we can, and it’s up to us to trust in Him when he’s guiding us in a new direction. We can have confidence that He knows the right way to go so we can live life to the fullest without as many pitfalls along the way! Seek His direction in your life today!

“My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.”  Psalm 25:15

Journey on!

Accept The Gift Of Forgiveness

"Forgiveness isn't just a blessing you deliver to another human being. Forgiveness is also a gift you give yourself." Robin Sharma

It's not an easy thing to forgive someone who has deeply hurt us. It can be harder, still, to learn to forgive ourselves. Resentment is something the devil enjoys encouraging in our hearts, but if we let it consume us, we are allowing the thing that hurt us to have more power over our lives. It's so important to find a way to forgive, even if it is a long process. We should never give up seeking God's healing and striving towards forgiveness. It may seem impossible now, but if you continue to pray and ask for God's strength, He has the power to guide you through to a place of peace. Don't let resentment hinder your growth and peace- ask God to help you forgive today.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

Journey on!

Believe

We read in the Bible that "with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26) But as followers of Christ, do we truly claim this promise? Deep down, do we really believe that God has a special plan for us...that when we seek Him and do His will, miraculous things can happen? As children of the all-powerful, loving Father, we are capable of doing incredible things, and God indeed has a wonderfully unique plan for our lives! With the power of God, we can have confidence in our steps. We need only to believe and have faith that He knows what is best. Jesus said it this way:

"...I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

Lean on His power, claim His promise. Pray with confidence. Have faith and be prepared to witness remarkable things!

Journey on!

Experience His Glory

When you hit the snooze on your alarm and you lie awake in bed, seek the Lord's face as you prepare for your day. Read His word…study it when you have moments to yourself or can focus among others. Pray with your breath, your words, your actions, your attitude. Listen when others around you speak words of encouragement, love, or advice, knowing that God has put them in your path. Our wisdom grows when we allow God to penetrate every aspect of our lives. Our understanding comes when we choose to focus through a God-lens. What is God speaking to your heart today? Have you stopped to listen? He is goodness, mercy, light, strength, and so much more. Embrace Him in a real way today and experience His glory.

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

Journey on!

Rely on God

It’s a great feeling when you get your very first paycheck. You feel such a sense of accomplishment...your first taste of financial independence. As we continue on into adulthood, it’s easy to place our sense of self-worth in our successes: we find the perfect spouse, have kids, advance in our careers, or buy a dream home. At the same time, we put ourselves down based on our failures. Things don’t work out the way we planned, we lose a job, or get a divorce, and we begin to feel unworthy. The problem with placing our self-worth into the hands of our successes and failures is that we are relying completely on ourselves. The focus is on “me.” What “I” accomplished or what “I” failed to do.

The truth is, we are worthy because we are GOD’S children. We are blessed with successes because of God’s awesome love, and we are still loved and forgiven through our failures because of God, too. We have to start taking ourselves out of the equation and understand that we can’t ever do or be "enough." We HAVE to rely on God! When we do, we can see ourselves through HIS eyes. We have self-worth because of His grace and love. We can be free to live a life honoring Him instead of trying so hard to succeed on our own. Learn to let go of yourself, and rely on Him this week!

“Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:5

Journey on!

Expect the Unexpected

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.” —Eleanor Roosevelt

I like to have a good idea of where I am headed. I am a planner, and I like to see the steps ahead coming before I get there. One of the things that comforts me the most is my gps! It sounds crazy, but knowing that I will be told where to turn and what to do before I get to a fork in the road brings me a lot of peace. Life doesn't always cooperate with me on this. Sometimes, my battery dies, or I lose signal. My perfectly laid plans get completely derailed because someone got sick or the weather is bad, or an event is canceled. As much as I wish I could, we can't see everything around the bend. But we have a God who does see the big picture- a God we can trust wholeheartedly! When we recognize that life will always throw us curveballs, and we put our trust in God to see us through, we can have peace even in the unexpected, because we know He loves us so much.

He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7

Journey on!

Do Something Big

"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." -Stevie Wonder

God has created you for a purpose. He has given you special gifts and talents to use in this world! Sometimes the hard part is understanding how all of our talents, interests, and abilities are going to come together and serve a purpose in His kingdom. Usually these answers don't appear all at once, but He will reveal His plan for your life in small whispers, open doors, and answered prayers...in His own perfect timing! We need to pray and ask God to help us accomplish the things He has planned, and then trust Him to bless us as we step out in faith. We can't let fear stop us from pursuing the things God has placed on our hearts! Even when we might feel a strong calling from God to do something, that fear can cause us to hesitate. We think of a hundred reasons why it can’t be done. But keep praying and take those leaps of faith! Nothing is impossible for God, and if He lays something on your heart to do, trust Him and try. He will bless you for putting your faith in Him, even if it doesn’t turn out exactly as you planned. His plans are perfect and He will guide your steps if you listen and are willing to follow His direction. Start making a difference in this world today!

“I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27

Journey on!

Living for the Lord

"If you have integrity, nothing else matters.
If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters." ~Alan Simpson

Sometimes the pressures of life wear us down. I find that in the moments when I am most exhausted, I feel the strongest temptations to give in to sin. We all struggle, but when we are weary, that's when Satan attacks. We need to make sure that even in our busiest seasons of life, we make time to find rest- physically, mentally and spiritually! We need to take breaks. Pour into God's word. Pray and bring all our stresses and frustrations to God. We have to allow the Lord to bring us peace in every area of our lives so that when the hard things come, we stand firm in our faith and act with integrity. Having a balanced life is so important! What can you do to invite God into every area of your life this week? How can you embrace His peace so that you can live a life that is pleasing and glorifying to Him?

"And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." 2 Thessalonians 3:13

Journey on!

Awe-Inspiring God

"God dwells in His creation and is everywhere, indivisibly present in all His works. He is transcendent above all His works, even while He is immanent within them." A.W. Tozer

Who is like our God? Is there anything in all of creation that can compare to His glory? The psalms spend many verses trying to capture the beautiful essence of His presence, but even those immaculate stanzas cannot fully capture the wonder and greatness of our God. He is stronger than any of our enemies, more loving than the closest earthly family, and He is able to cleanse us from any sin we could conjure up. What did we do to deserve such an incredible Father? The answer is nothing...we don’t deserve Him. But God loves us so much that He wants to bless us, longs to free us, loves to hold us…not because we deserve it, but because we are His precious children. This week, meditate on the majesty that is our God, and praise His awesome name as you live each day in His grace.

“Praise the name of the Lord.
 For the Lord is high above the nations;
 his glory is higher than the heavens.

Who can be compared with the Lord our God,
who is enthroned on high?”

Psalm 113:3-5

Journey on!

Show Mercy

"Always forgive your enemies- nothing annoys them so much." Oscar Wilde

It's not always easy to forgive, especially in cases where the offender hasn't apologized. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:20 that showing compassion to your enemy is like "heaping burning coals on his head." This reference was to indicate that not only would the enemy feel a burning guilt over his actions, but he would possibly even repent. There was an ancient Egyptian ritual in which a guilty party had to carry a basin of heated coals on his head as a sign of repentance. I don't know if that is what Paul was referencing, but the idea is the same either way- when we show compassion and forgiveness, we honor God. We put our enemies to shame. And hopefully, through this act of mercy, the offender will be stirred to repentance. But even if this person who has wronged you does not ever make it right, apologize, treat you how you should be treated...by forgiving that person, you are allowing yourself to be free! Holding onto a grudge hurts you more than your enemy. Are there people in your life that you need to forgive? Pray about it and let God start working in your heart today.

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:12-13

Journey on!