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New Strength
We were created to be in partnership with Jesus, so when we try to be Lone Rangers we get drained, stressed, weary, and depressed. But…
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NLT
I’ve been really struggling the past few months. I have been asking Jesus about it recently but because I feel so overwhelmingly sad I haven’t been able to hear Him clearly. I know He’s speaking but I can’t hear what He is speaking. This morning I went on Bible Gateway to look something up and Isaiah 40:31 was the verse of the day.
I heard very clearly that I’ve become weary because I’m trying to get through this without Him. And I can’t. Not if I ever want to heal completely.
I’ve been trying to survive on the fumes of my own strength, when He’s got a new fresh supply of strength for me that will allow me to thrive even in grief.
I don’t know how people can get through loss and hard times without Jesus. I am eternally grateful for the new strength He provides when my own runs out.
Point to ponder while you wander…“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
Rough Road
I have been having a rough couple weeks…and it’s really starting to affect all areas of my life. Tossing and turning. Bad dreams. And the first acid reflux attack I’ve had since 2001.
I want to choke people with that Darth Vader choking maneuver….pretty much every day now. Ever have a hard time not to following Anakin to the Dark Side? I must admit that path is oh so tempting and pretty right now. (See Psalm 37)
So this verse is my mantra today.
“Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore!” Psalm 105:4
I don’t know how to defuse the frustration and sadness that’s been building for months…and all I know is that God does. I need Him to help me. I need to be in His presence…where peace and joy are always found.
Point to ponder while you wander… God’s strength is only made perfect/complete when combined with our weakness.
Inherited Beauty
We can’t give something we don’t have. Obviously. So considering this verse, “For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.” Psalm 100:5 MSG, says that God is beauty itself and generous in love.
God doesn’t have ugly or hate to give, only beauty and love.
Point to ponder while you wander…This verse proves that you are beautiful and are loved beyond measure.
Present tense.
Right now.
And always.
Seasons
One of my favorite verses on seasons is this one: “The season has changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth and left it bright with blossoming flowers.” Song of Songs 2:11-12 TPT
It is full of hope that the long believed for promises of God will come to pass soon. I have some of those promises. I know it’s the season for some of them to come to pass with all that I am. But I can’t see them, YET.
So I was thinking about this verse because today is April 10th, and this is what it looks like in my yard right now…
Seasons. Sigh. Just when you think winter has passed and you have moved forward into spring…it snows. For days. And the wind blows. And the temperature stays at a frosty 29 degrees….rather than the 60 degrees it should be in the beginning of April.
What’s my point? Well it’s certainly not to complain about the weather!
When we get close to a promise being fulfilled or achieving a goal, that’s sometimes the hardest time of the waiting period. Many people give up right before their breakthroughs simply because it snows in April.
“When hope’s dream seems to drag on and on, the delay can be depressing. But when at last your dream comes true, life’s sweetness will satisfy your soul.” Proverbs 13:12 TPT
Point to ponder while you wander…”The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and will prosper everywhere I send it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 NLT
The very snow causing you to want to quit, may very well be the snow sent to water the seed. In other words, that irritating circumstance, sad event, trouble, job loss, etc, may be the very thing that positions you for promotions, increase and promises fulfilled.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:5-6 NLY
Time to Bloom
Hang in there little bud…it may not yet be your time to bloom, but trust me your day IS coming!
“The season has now changed, the bondage of your barren winter has ended, and the season of hiding is over and gone. The rains have soaked the earth, and left it bright with blossoming flowers…” Song of Songs TPT
Self-Condemnation is arguing with Jesus
“Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one–for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” Romans 8:33-34 NLT
When you chose to receive Jesus as your savior, you went into right standing with God immediately! You will probably need to work out some behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and the like. But as far as God is concerned you’re in the clear.
When you condemn yourself (meaning to disapprove of, criticize, revile, berate, find fault with) you are actually arguing with Jesus who is pleading on your behalf!
Stop arguing with Jesus! Love yourself! Love yourself right now. Just as you are. You are worth loving. You are beautiful. You are valuable. Jesus believes you are worth it, so you should too!
Point to ponder while you wander…”So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 NLT
God is Fair
“The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; He sets the standards for fairness.” Prov 16:9
God is good. He gives everyone the same love, the same hope, and the same right to choose. The rest is up to you.
It makes me angry when people blame God when people are sick or dying. God didn’t give your loved one cancer or anything else. He doesn’t have sickness to give and it’s not who He is.
God gives life. He sent Jesus to take sickness and defeat death. God is good.
Sometimes the choices that lead to someone’s illness came from their bad choices or someone else’s. Sometimes there’s no one at fault. Sometimes bad things just happen.
But blaming the One who loves you more than anyone else could possibly attempt to love you and distancing yourself from Him when you’re hurting or grieving is the opposite of what you should be doing.
God isn’t responsible for your life. You are. You may be in a bad spot because of your choices. You may be in a bad spot because of someone else’s bad choices. Or you may be going through a purification process that’s no one’s fault. No matter what your struggles are know that God is good, fair, honest and just. And…
1. God is for you, not against you.
2. God turns things around for good to those who love Him.
3. God is good. All day every day.
4. God is hopelessly in love with you.
5. Jesus came to save the world, not condemn it.
6. God doesn’t want a single person to perish. Hell was originally created for Satan and the angels that followed him…not for humans.
7. Jesus thinks everything He went through was worth it…because it was for you…the one He loves.
All this is true. Reread it. Meditate on it. Bathe in it. Stew in it. Whatever it takes for you to understand and believe it.
Point to ponder while you wander…God is good. And we are equal in His eyes. He has no favorites. He works within the confines of our choices to bless us as much as He can. Why? Because He’s good!
A Hot Mess
“Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant…Yet I still belong to You; You hold my right hand.” Ps 73:21-23 NLT
We may be a hot mess at times, but He still wants all of us, always.
David Had to Wait Too
David was a just a 15 year old kid just being who he was in the middle of nowhere.
Then SUDDENLY he is anointed king over Israel.
Sweet! Overnight success! Well…not exactly…David had to wait 15 years until he was actually made king.
Seven of those years he served the palace of the current king, who was insane, hated him, and tried repeatedly to kill him.The next eight weren’t any better, fighting battles and sleeping in caves.
But how David handled the waiting is what makes me respect him. He vented his emotions and sought God to deliver him from the harrowing and desperate situations he repeatedly found himself in. But he didn’t blame God or threaten to quit or beg to be returned to the safety of his former life. (I say this because I am guilty of blaming God and asking Him to just give me an easier life.)
David always ended his rants with, but I know You are a merciful and gracious God. I know that You are wiser than me, so I hope in You. I trust in You. So I will endure. I will wait on you.
And He did wait. 15 long and trying years. But after those long years of preparation and learning, David became king. And among his descendants was the One who would save the world.
So waiting sucks…believe me I know it does…but God keeps His Word. He honors His promises. He will do what He said He would do. And that promise isn’t just for you bet for those who come after you.
So hang on. Keep believing. Keep trusting Him.
Point to ponder while you wander…God’s timing isn’t always fast. But He always keeps His Word. So on that journey it is okay to vent and rant TO God about the circumstances along the way. But don’t forget to end your rant with the truth: He is faithful and wise. He is good and kind. He loves you.
Constant Love
“Yes, Lord, let Your constant love surround us, for our hopes are in you alone.” Psalm 33:22
God’s love never wavers nor shrinks. His love doesnt grow with time. He has loved you from the foundation of the world and He’s going to keep on loving you exactly that much forever. That my friends is the definition of constant love.
jillbeingstill 