"Who has a harder fight than he who is striving to overcome himself?" Thomas a KempisAs we live our lives trying to be more like Christ, we can be our own worst critics. We find ourselves feeling like failures because something didn't go the way we planned, or we feel unloved or unworthy because of things that we have said or done. It can be hard to believe that our God could be so forgiving and so loving to us when we can't always love ourselves. The negative things we tell ourselves have a huge impact on our lives! We need to replace those negative criticisms with truths: we made a mistake, but we have learned, not failed. We didn't accomplish something we hoped we would, but God still loves us and is proud of us. It's so important not to let Satan have a foothold in our minds when we are going through hard things, because he loves for us to beat ourselves up. Instead, we need to stand up, make things right wherever we can, and forgive ourselves. When you feel like being your own worst enemy this week, replace those negative thoughts with God's truth. Meditate on His word and remember that we serve a God who loves us dearly, and who has already overcome any obstacle we face.
John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Journey on!
Embrace the Blessing
During a time when many of us are staying home or have limited access to friends and family, it's important to focus on the blessings that we still do have to enjoy. What has God given you today? Maybe it's a beautiful sunrise, a garden to plant, your family members to laugh with, a chance to work on projects you have been meaning to do, a phone call from a friend...the blessings are many if you take the time to look for them. Instead of focusing on the things you are missing this week, try to find the goodness around you right in your own home and backyard. The Lord is taking care of us and blessing us in all circumstances!
How abundant are the good things
that you have stored up for those who fear you,
that you bestow in the sight of all,
on those who take refuge in you.
Psalm 31:19
Journey on!
Love Like This
"What have I done to deserve love like this?
I cannot earn what You so freely give..." Lauren Daigle
This is such a beautiful song acknowledging the fact that there is nothing we can do to earn the love of the Lord. He loves us unconditionally! If you are feeling "less than," or not good enough this week, remember that you are more than enough because of HIS power in you! You are a child of the King. He adores you and wants what is best for you, and He longs for you to walk in His perfect ways. But His love for us is not based on our works. It is a gift that He freely gives. What an incredible blessing! Embrace that truth this week.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Ephesians 2:8
He is Our Shield
Whatever you are facing this week, remember that your hope is in the Lord. He is strong and mighty to save! He has already worked out any problems you will face. He is in complete control of every aspect of your life, and you can rest in His peace this week. Don't let the stresses of this life overwhelm you- you are in His hands! Put your hope and trust in Him.
"But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me." Psalms 3:3-5
Journey on!
Words and Thoughts
Watch your thoughts, they become words.Watch your words, they become actions.Watch your actions, they become habits.Watch your habits, they become your character.Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.
-Author Unknown
It’s amazing how when you have (or are around) young children, you become very aware of what you are saying because they tend to repeat your every word. You start hearing the way your voice sounds by hearing it parroted back to you. If you are using a negative tone or unkind words, you will realize quickly when those things are said through the mouth of a four-year-old. We teach our children to say and do the right things, but the way we act has an even bigger impact on their behavior. And truthfully, it has a pretty big impact on us.
Whether you have children or not, allowing yourself to have negative thoughts, words, habits, etc. detracts from the amazing plan God has for you, and it makes it harder for us to shine Christ’s light to the world. What aspects of your speech and behavior could you work on improving this week? Make a change and see what a positive effect it has on your life!
“I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will hold my tongue when the ungodly are around me.” Psalm 39:1
Journey on!
Trust in His Power
“The reason why I smile even in the midst of the storm, is because I know that Jesus Christ will carry me through.”― Gift Gugu Mona, South Africa
When things are uncertain, I find myself feeling anxious. I like to know the plan, know what to expect, and prepare as best as I can...but that's not often a realistic option! Instead, life can be extremely unpredictable! It veers in all directions. We feel overwhelmed when life feels so out of control. But these twists and turns do not come as a surprise to our faithful, omnipresent Lord! What seems like chaos to us is a beautiful tapestry of life to the One who created the world. He knows the good that will come from our lives. He knows the plans He has for us, and they are to prosper and not harm us (Jer. 29:11). We just need to remember that when life feels out of control, it's not...it's in His control. Be intentional about trusting in God this week as you face life's unpredictability. He loves you and has you in His all-powerful hands. In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4
Journey on!
Peace Anew
Today is a new day. We don't have to stress over what happened yesterday or what will come tomorrow, only rest in His perfect peace as he gives us the gift of today! Our God loves us so much, and He is ready to do a new thing in your life. Open your heart to Him. Sit with Him, listen for His voice. Embrace the peace and joy and security that you have in His arms. Today might bring new challenges to face and new obstacles to overcome, but we can go into every circumstance knowing that He has gone before us and will walk us through every step. The Lord is gracious and so, so good. Focus on these things today.
“A new day will dawn on us from above
because our God is loving and merciful.
He will give light to those who live in the dark
and in death’s shadow.
He will guide us into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79 GW
Journey on!
Sharing Hope
“Give a man a dollar, and you cheer his heart. Give him a dream, and you challenge his heart. Give him Christ, and you change his heart.” Anonymous
How can we share the beautiful message of freedom in Christ to those around us? No one appreciates having the Bible forced on them or being judged harshly, yet that is how some choose to spread His word. Instead, we should love people exactly where they are- show them we care and respect them! Be a light to those you work with and people you meet. Share the amazing things God has done in your life. Show Christ in how you treat others. It's not about condemnation- it's about offering hope. How can you share Christ in love this week?
"Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." Ephesians 4:15
Journey on!
Inconvenience Yourself
As humans, we can be a self-absorbed bunch. We worry about our futures and spend our days focused on our wants and needs. God tells us we need to pay attention to the world around us as well:
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
Notice this verse doesn’t say, “whenever you can fit it into your schedule,” or “if you can, but if not, no biggie.” God fully expects his followers to live lives that honor Him and care for His children. It’s why God didn’t leave Adam as the sole inhabitant of the earth…He knew we needed each other. When we work together, amazing things can happen, and lives can be changed. What can you do to be more mindful of others? How can you have a larger impact on the world around you? I challenge you to find ways to inconvenience yourself for the sake of someone else this week. When we say, “I’m too busy to get involved with anyone else” what we’re really doing is exposing our misplaced priorities. It’s time to look at the bigger picture, beyond our personal day-to-day focus, and get our hands dirty serving others. When we do, we can truly be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and find a greater significance to our lives.
"You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth." - Shira Teharni
Journey on!
Renewal
It’s a life-changing experience to let Christ into your heart. There is such joy in unburdening yourself and letting go of the past. Like any relationship, though, we have our own highs and lows. God doesn’t change, and neither does our salvation, but we still have our good and bad days. We go through times where we feel incredibly close to God, and other times when we may feel burned out, dried up, or just tired. We may even stumble back into some of our old bad habits that leave us feeling like we aren’t worthy of enjoying God’s love. But God loves us ALL the time! He cares for us and lives in us through the mountains and valleys in our lives. When you find yourself in those times where you just feel “blah” spiritually, ask God to refresh and renew your spirit. Psalm 68:9 says,
“You sent abundant rain, O God, to refresh the weary land.”
Just as He refreshes the land, he cana refresh your spirit. Don’t give up when you are in a spiritual low. Understand that God is with you even then, and seek His beauty in a new, refreshing way. Read a new book, sing a song, pray, talk with a friend, go on a nature walk…the options are endless. Find what refreshes you and enjoy a spiritual renewal this week.
Journey on!
A New Thing
A New Thing
It's easy to dwell on the past...on our failures and negative circumstances that we wish had gone differently. But with this new year comes new opportunities, new chances to make this year a better year. And even if we feel this way in a few months, too, it's never too late to start fresh. Our God loves us and offers us new life and new hope through His son Jesus- not just at New Year's, but all year long! Let Christ into your heart and let Him create a beautiful new thing in you today.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Journey on!
Where do you Place your Value?
We choose the coolest car, house, or clothes. We splurge on an iPad or a Blackberry. We post our best pictures on Facebook. We act a certain way and make specific choices based on what someone else is going to think about it. What are some other things you do to make yourself feel “worthy?” One of the most common desires we share with each other here on earth is the need to feel accepted. We all want someone to think we’re great.
We often look for our self-worth and our value in the wrong things. We spend more time trying to create an appearance of awesomeness rather than actually living our lives to the fullest. We need to remember that God, who created us, loves us more than anything…our self-worth comes from Him alone. Our deepest needs can only be filled by our Maker. When we see ourselves as God’s precious children, fully loved and accepted, we can let go of the need to impress the world. We can stop trying to prove ourselves worthy and start living our lives with purpose, passion, and love for others. Remind yourself that God loves you for who you are, and He values your life tremendously!
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
Journey on!
A Savior Of Shepherd and Kings
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 1:8-11
We hear this story often, and yet it still fills me with a sense of wonder as I imagine what it must have been like to be one of those shepherds. An actual angel of God appearing before lowly shepherds, probably living a fairly uneventful life out in the pastures until that moment. Can you imagine the beauty of that sight? The glory of the Lord was shining down, and this angel was bringing a message of hope to them. I would love to have heard their excited conversation as they travelled towards that manger in Bethlehem. How incredible it must have been to gaze upon Jesus himself, a tiny newborn child, the Savior of the world. As you think about the well-known story of Christ's birth this Christmas week, take a few moments to truly absorb the magnificence, the beauty, the joy and the peace of that night. Praise God for the greatest gift we could ever imagine…a gift for great kings and lowly shepherds alike.
Merry Christmas!
Surrender to Win
“Judah will hold the royal scepter,
And his descendants will always rule.
Nations will bring him tribute
And bow in obedience before him. “ (Genesis 49:10, a prophecy of Jesus’ birth)
We generally associate the word “surrender” with defeat. It means giving up, quitting, losing! I think that is why it is so difficult for us to grasp the concept of surrendering our lives to Jesus Christ. We say we give ourselves to Him…but how well does that play out in our lives? We still struggle to take control, to do things with our own strength. The story of Jesus seems too far in the past for us to submit to such a king. We need to do it ourselves, and then we feel frustrated when we can’t measure up.
Ironically, when we completely surrender to Him, that is when we win! We may lose our sense of being in control, but we were never in control in the first place. Surrendering to the Lord in EVERY area of our lives may go against our human nature, but it frees us in ways we can’t imagine. He knows the best plan for you. He knows your heart’s greatest desires and your struggles. And He will show you the best path if you can let go and LET HIM! Remember that Jesus was called Immanuel, God with us…when we submit to Him we allow Him to work in us and with us in amazing ways. What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God?
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
(Matthew 16:24-25)
Journey on!