Worry

Like these weeds disrupting the beauty of the landscape, worry often clutters my perspective.

I wrestled with it throughout the month of August.

Then, when I least expected it, God rolled in.

He is always faithful and on time.

And I was ashamed of my struggle, because I know how to walk in trust, I just hadn’t.

Yet, the Lord brought this recent lesson to mind as I was worrying about a different circumstance, two weeks ago.

He followed up the memory with a question:

Didn’t I supply your need then?

“Yes, Lord! You did. I’m so sorry for falling prey to worry. Please forgive me.”

And the peace flowed into my heart displacing worry and removing it completely.

-sigh-

“Lord, thank You. I’m so blessed to have Your patient guidance and direction. I know You will supply all our needs.”

“I trust You, Jesus.”

Anne noticed the change in my demeanor.

“What is it, Mom?”

“Oh, I’ve been worrying about something and the Lord reminded me: He is our provision.”

She smiled.

“Yeah.”

This began a discussion about things she’d been struggling with and we were both encouraged in the Lord.

I am humbled by God and His patient, faithful, teaching.

I’m amazed at how He allows me to admit my faults and brings good out of my errors.

To willingly speak of His lessons and His blessings from my experiences, both good and bad, is a testimony of His power to change the hearts of those who are called by His name.

My prayer is to never chose what I know is wrong, nor to neglect what I know is right, but when I do transgress, that God would correct me quickly and I would be able to grow through the experience.

I can say that He is answering that prayer and teaching me the beauty of humility.

Then, days after this, He blessed my heart with a solution to the thing I’d been struggling with.

And I hadn’t done a thing to solve the problem, He did it.

God is faithful.

God is good.

His ways are perfect.

That doesn’t mean everything is always comfortable and easy.

Rather, it means I am learning daily to rest more and more in His ways, trusting that I can find good in every circumstance, for He is with me.

Praise the Lord!

1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV — God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your faithfulness! Thank You for Your patient lessons, teaching me each day. Lord, it would be easy to beat myself up for my lack of faith in You, but I’d rather spend the time praising You for Your faithfulness! For You have used these things to build monuments in my heart, that I can look at and chose to walk in faith today. Lord, thank You for using these things to grow and strengthen me. I know You are working. I know You are trustworthy. I know You are God and I need not always understand what You are doing, but I can always trust that it is good, because You are good. May my life bring glory to Your name, Jesus. Amen.

Buttons

When I was a girl, my mom sewed.

She’d learned to make her own clothes in highschool and my grandparents bought her a sewing machine for her highschool graduation gift.

I remember wearing pretty frilly dresses my mother had made.

I recall trips to the fabric store.

These were normally pretty dull, because I couldn’t understand why it took so long to look through all the bolts of fabric in the big bins.

Obviously, I had no idea what discount bins were, nor why Mom was having to search through the many different types of fabric to find the ones she wanted.

But I never got tired of looking at the rows of paper-backed buttons.

When it was time for Mom to begin her sewing project, she’d carefully gather all the needed items and if she was going to use buttons on the dress, she’d get out her big jar.

Where Mom got such a large assortment of old buttons and what happened to it later, I have no idea.

I loved the button jar!

Sometimes, she’d let me dump out some and play with them.

It was one of my favorite things to do.

It felt like a treasure hunt and fun category game rolled into one.

I could sort the buttons by size and then color, and save the really unique ones by themselves.

I always felt a little put out when it was time to scoop them all back into the jar, special ones included.

Today, I got to relive the fun of that childhood memory.

A while back I got a small plastic container with a mish-mash of buttons.

I didn’t have time to sort them into my sewing box, so they’ve sat in a drawer waiting.

I’m working on a pair of little girl backpacks for our neighbors and realized I needed some buttons.

As I dumped out the container the memories of childhood popped up.

And I enjoyed this mini sorting game, looking for the “treasure” buttons that will go on the bags.

Praise and thanksgiving followed.

“Lord, thank You for providing these buttons for this project and many others.”

“Jesus, thank You for my mom, who put in so much extra time making clothes for my sister and I.”

“Lord, thank You for the ability to make things, and the supplies I need to do it.”

“Thank You, for the memory, something I’d forgotten about my childhood that You have given me back all through a few buttons.”

James 1:17 KJV — Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for today. Thank You for this mini reminder of my past and how You were with me then just as You are with me now. I love that You are timeless. Thank You for using such a tiny unimportant thing to bring me joy. Thank You for Your gifts, they are amazing. May my life bring glory to Your name. I love You. Amen.

February 28

Today’s prayer:

Micah 6:8 NKJV — He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for showing us what is good. Thank You for reminding us that serving You is best. Only in You can we find justice, mercy, and truth. Lord, please help us to walk humbly, not just now, but every day of our lives. Please help us to put off pride, envy, and selfishness. Please remind and train our hearts to be focused upon Your Word and walking daily with You. Lord, if there’s anything sinful, anything which does not revere You in our hearts, please show it to us that we might repent. Help us to be quick to flee from evil and steadfast in putting off wickedness in every form. Please continue to train and hone us into Your perfect image. Thank You for Your long suffering. Thank You for Your unfailing love. I praise You, Lord. Thank You for all Your wonderous ways!

December 15

Today’s prayer:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
Psalms 133:1‭-‬3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for these words. What truth it is! Lord Jesus, I humbly ask that You bring our lives in line with Your Word. That those who are called by Your name shall be united in You. That our lives might reflect You. Lord, for too long we have allowed opinions, hurts, and disagreements to splinter the body of Christ. Lord, let it be so no longer, but instead bring us to the foot of the cross, where all is level. Lord Jesus, we look to You this day. Please help us to live lives surrendered completely to You. Please heal the hurting and sick, please return the prodigal, save the lost, and protect the innocent. Lord Jesus, I love You. Thank You for first loving me.

November 29

Today’s prayer:

Set a watch, O Lord , before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.
Psalms 141:3‭-‬4 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for all things. Lord, Your ways are amazing. Your plans are right and merciful. Lord Jesus, You watch over the weak, the helpless, those who are sick or hurting, and the innocent. Lord, You know all, even the thoughts of men and women. You see all. Thank You for salvation. Thank You for Your love, kindness, and faithfulness. Lord Jesus, I worship You and praise You for all Your blessings. On this first day of the week help us remember that day You rose from the grave, overthrowing death, sin, and separation from God. Lord, please save, heal, protect, guide, and return. Please shine Your light of truth into this world. Let the lies of the enemy be seen for what they are. Let those who would harm others for their own purpose be stopped. Lord, please return integrity, honor, justice, and righteousness. Please purify Your people. Beginning with me. Thank You. Amen.

November 10

Today’s prayer:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for truth. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for salvation and Your amazing love. Lord, it is through Your Word I find hope, confident expectation. It is in You my faith grows daily, by knowing You and learning how to trust more and more. Lord, thank You for this journey of life. Thank You for the blessings and the trials, for all of it is used by You to hone my heart, to teach me Your ways that I might walk in them. Lord Jesus, You are incredible. The peace and comfort I find in You are beyond anything the world has to offer. The joy in daily placing my life in Your hand is beyond anything I could ever attain elsewhere. Lord, You are good. You are faithful. You are God Almighty. I trust You with all things. Lord Jesus, I humbly bring to You my family, please provide and protect them. Please bring them into a closer walk with You each day. Lord Jesus, I lift up my husband, please place Your hand upon him. Let his heart not grow faint in service to You and those You have called him to serve. Please give him ability and wisdom to do all he does to Your glory. Lord, the innocent, please protect them. Please return the prodigal and save those who have yet to know You. I know You are always seeking the lost, calling their names, offering them life eternal. Please let hearts be softened, ears unstopped, and eyes opened to Your truth. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Because life isn’t easy

I need to cling to God’s Word every day.

Because life isn’t easy,

I must be careful what I allow myself to meditate on.

Because life isn’t easy,

I have to continually give up my own plans, desires, and agenda.

Because life isn’t easy,

I find opportunities to die to my selfishness continually.

Because life isn’t easy,

I have a choice: self-pity or Savior.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can expect opposition and see it as opportunities.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can feel for the broken, hurting, and lost.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can relate to pain and suffering, but I don’t have to be defined by it.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can walk in today, expecting God to use those things which were meant for harm to be turned into good.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can rest in knowing it wasn’t easy for my Lord when He walked this Earth and I know He understands suffering.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can praise God even more when things are good, joyful, and beautiful.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can yearn for Heaven with the sojourner, taking a long journey home.

Because life isn’t easy,

I can praise God for salvation.

Because life isn’t easy,

I value blessings all the more.

Life isn’t easy now.

It wasn’t easy before.

It won’t be easy while the battle between righteousness and sin continues.

But some day, Jesus will return.

And it’s easy to get excited about that.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for choosing to do what wasn’t comfortable or easy. Thank You for dieing on the cross. Thank You for living as the Father called You to live, although no one understood You. Thank You for walking daily with me, holding me, sustaining me, teaching me, although I don’t deserve it. Thank You for showing me that it is through the everyday things You are able. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Please help me to be faithful in all things, forgiving, loving, and resting in You in all things. Thank You. Amen.

September 6

Today’s verse and prayer:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:6 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You. Thank You for being You, although my understanding of Who You are barely scratches the surface. Lord, You’re good, You give peace, You are patience, You’re faithful, and the list goes on. It is all incredible and I am so blessed by You. Lord, truly, there is nothing to fear when my soul is safe in You. But Lord, I am weak and frail and often I forget how safe I am. Like a little child, I don’t realize the truth: nothing can harm me when I’m in Your hands. Therefore, I choose to place all the things I’ve been concerned about in Your hands this morning. Lord, I surrender my agenda, my desires, my plans unto You and Your perfect will. Lord, thank You for taking every burden, every care. Thank You for continuing to polish me on the inside. Lord, if anyone has wronged me, I forgive them. If I have wronged anyone, please bring it to my attention that I might repent. Lord, I humbly request that You protect the innocent, save the lost, heal the sick and broken, and restore the prodigal. Let men and women call upon the name of the Lord. Thank You. Amen.

It boils down to…

What you believe.

Do you believe the Bible?

John 17:17 NKJV — “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

“Yes, absolutely. It’s the Word of God Almighty.”

Do you believe I am good?

Luke 18:19 KJV — And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

“Yes, Lord. I know You are good.”

Do you believe I give good gifts?

Luke 11:13 KJV — If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

“Yes, Lord, I believe You give good gifts.”

Then why doubt? Why fear?

Isaiah 41:13 KJV — For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

If I call you to walk through it, it will be used for My good.

Isaiah 43:2 KJV — When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Do you believe that?

Acts 16:31 KJV — And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

“Yes, Lord, I believe.”

I wish I could say the Lord has only had this conversation once with me, but it’s not true.

He has brought my fearful heart back to this truth many times.

He has held me, patiently, while I worried away in prayer, only to softly ask me, do you believe.

Because it boils down to that.

What I truly believe makes all of my attitudes and actions.

And if I truly believe God is good and gives good gifts to His children and that I am His child, then I will not respond to circumstances with fear, worry, or anxiety.

Because there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Instead, God promises:

John 14:27 KJV — Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I love how this verse reads.

“Let not your heart be troubled…”

We have a choice.

And it begins with what we believe.

Abundance

There’s never an end to the goodness of God.

The Bible is overflowing with description after description of God.

One can learn God for a lifetime and never reach the end of Him.

God is our strength and refuge.

Psalm 46:1 NKJV — “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

Story after story is listed in the Scriptures of how God gave both strength and refuge to the people Israel and many individuals.

God sees the heart.

He knows the truth of every matter.

When we are wronged we need not defend ourselves.

Psalm 59:9 NKJV —” I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.”

He is the Judge.

Psalm 50:6 NKJV —” Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah”

His verdicts are always best.

God is the King of all kings.

Psalm 47:7 NKJV — “For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding.”

He was before them all, and will be here when their histories are forgotten.

God is holding our very lives.

He wants to help, guide, and direct each person.

Psalm 54:4 NKJV — “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.”

Jesus is the Savior.

Psalm 62:7 NKJV —”In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.”

What can mankind ultimately do if one’s soul is safely in the hands of God?

There is no pain which lasts past the grave if the soul is safe with Jesus.

Psalm 68:20 NKJV —”Our God is the God of salvation; And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.”

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 3:16‭-‬17 NKJV

What an incredible picture of God we see in only a few verses.

And there’s so much more.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for showing us Yourself. Thank You for giving us the Word that we might learn about You. Thank You for coming in flesh to save us from sin and eternal separation. Please, continue to open my mind to Who You are. Please help me to live out these truths. Thank You, Jesus for Your goodness!