What Are You Waiting for? Hoping in God
Today God delivered a healing to my husband. A suspected kidney mass, became a cyst. A word from the doctor that this was an urgent situation, became a call from the nurse who said there was nothing at all to worry about. A lot of prayer went into this situation, and the end result was a huge relief and a blessing.
What are you waiting for? Financial help? An end to sickness? A relationship to be mended? A family member to come back home? Waiting is never easy. It can involve hope and expectation. It can also harbor fear, anxiety and worry. I worried all through this incident, and am not going to pretend I didn’t.
The wait actually reminds me of when I was a little kid waiting for my Dad to come home from work. I knew he would be home, and I couldn’t wait for him to show up in the driveway. Well, sometimes I can’t wait for God to show up on the scene. I pace and pace, just as I did waiting for my earthly Dad. I’m thrilled when God shows up, thrilled with the gifts and blessings He brings with Him. Often my Dad showed up with gifts, but actually even if he came home without anything, it was ok with me. He showed up. Period. Just like God. Gifts are wonderful, but my Dad didn’t have to bring them to provie his love for me and my family. Unconditional, unrelenting, undying love. Gifts you could never buy, just like the gifts God bestows.
I don’t know what you are waiting for, or asking God for. I know it may be scary and probably is not easy. You may feel hopeless, helpless, or alone in the situation. I hope you have that eager expectation that God is going to show up. I hope you are wating for, and watching for Him. Here’s a promise to cling to:
Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
The Hope of Easter
Matthew 28:1-9 (NLT)
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.
9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.
It’s empty. He is risen. But not before dying an unimaginable death for you and for me. If you don’t know Him this Easter, if this is unclear or confusing or simply something you have never heard about please read the page on Steps to Knowing God. You’ll find it in the right sidebar. Don’t build your Easter on anything less than Christ the solid rock. This is serious business. The greatest sacrifice ever made for anyone, was made for you and me. As always, if you have any questions please post them. If you simply want to express how thankful you are to Him, please do. In this day of instability and world terrorism threats, #Brussels and beyond, we need the hope of that empty tomb. We need to know, our Savior lives. And one day, He will return for us. Again, if you need this hope, this security in your own life, remember the tomb is empty. Don’t live another day, another moment, without surrendering your life to the One who surrendered His life for you.
Have a blessed Resurrection Day. He is risen indeed.
Are You Walking in Faith?
Walking in faith. It’s the other half of this blog’s title, but last doesn’t make it least. It is the key. It’s the missing part of the equation. It’s the piece of the puzzle that you may struggle to place. When it is placed correctly though, you see the whole picture as it was meant to be.
Faith is inexplicable, but without it, it’s impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Faith requires you to step out. It requires you to walk forward when you cannot see exactly where you are going.
Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
You may have faith that a chair is going to hold you up. Do you have faith that God is going to do the same? You may have faith in the love of a parent, friend, child, or spouse. Do you have that confidence in the one who died for you? Maybe your faith is in a weekly paycheck, your health, even your location. What if those things crumble?
Hebrews 11:13-16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
If you need to know more, please visit my page Steps to Knowing God (click on the sidebar). Read Hebrews 11 for a glimpse into the heroes of the faith.
In addition, if you want some help on the journey, Proverbs 31 ministries is currently registering women for the next OBS (Online Bible Study). All you need is a book, and your internet connection. You decide how many activities you want to participate in, and it’s all free of charge (except for the book.) Did you notice the title of the book?
Note: They have registration open now for the study’s conference call series (available for a small cost) and Facebook small groups. The groups may be full, but they do keep a waiting list. I’ll see you over there when the study begins. Visit the OBS link for all the latest news and registration. #WalkInFaith #P31OBS
Keep walking in faith. And as always, I welcome your questions and comments.
Quick note: It was a great study. There are archives available, all you need is a book to follow along. This quote from Lysa really moved me:
However distant your dreams may seem, God is working things out & today is an important part of that process.
Lesson Learned: there is a place between now and my dreams. A place of growth. The waiting is often long, but the now moments need to be utilized, nurtured and not wasted. Between here and the dream there is much to do and accomplish.
What’s So Simple About Diabetes?
When I started this blog, my theme was simple living, and living by faith. My desire was to get myself and others back to a more simple life. That life was to be centered on God, and the study of His Word. Along with that, my thoughts were toward family, crafts, cooking, and things that just felt less techno.
Of course, it was pointed out to me that blogging is technical, and so was owning anything like an iPad, Kindle etc. Social media was not simple. Oh well. So I did not entirely make the transition to simple living. I’m still working on what that looks like.
One thing that isn’t so simple is my life with Type I diabetes. Diabetes is not simple or easy. After being diagnosed in 1970, I can honestly say that while technology has helped tremendously, it still has not been an easy journey. Where an insulin pump has made life a tad easier, it still requires patience and a life of constant adjustments. It gets in the way of some of those simple things I want to be doing. Diabetes presents a constant invasion of numbers, and musts and have to’s. It is not simple. It marches in and over anything that requires my attention. Activities and moments of real creativity and fun, end up trampled on at times. Because diabetes is a real time snatcher, but that time is a necessary investment.
I hope if I toss this into my journey of faith, dancing with the simplicity of Christian living that you won’t pass by my blog. If you are a PWD (person with Diabetes) of any type, you know it isn’t simple. You might shake your head, and walk away. Upset that such a topic might even make it into this kind of blog. You might be angry with God, or with your circumstances. I for one believe that many people live in countries where diabetes care is less than perfect, and technology is not there to assist. I don’t ever want to forget that.
I could not make the journey of faith without God, because I could not do the diabetes thing without God.
Psalm 119:114 (MSG) 114 You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.
My constant rock and source of strength through all that is diabetes, is God.
I can’t give you medical advice, but I can listen and share my own story. Yes, even in a blog about simple living by faith. Diabetes can show its face, but it cannot win. It can build courage and determination, but it cannot take over. It can cause your focus to shift to numbers, and meds, and carb counting and the like. But your ultimate goal and focus can be built on faith in God and His call on your life.
We may live in different parts of the world, and our resources for dealing with diabetes may be quite different. I hope to see you on the path of hope and faith. He’s got your back through it all. Feel free to comment……..
Are You Being Transformed?
IICorinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
Take Me Deeper online study. Week Three. Shine!
Visit His Kingdom Come for more information.
Take Me Deeper Week 2/His Kingdom Come
This is based on my word for 2015, Seek, and Take Me Deeper online community prompt for week 2: II Corinthians 12:7-10. This art work can be purchased on Café Press. https://www.cafepress.com/+tote_bag,244511525
https://www.cafepress.com/+silver_square_necklace,244511309
Glory to God in the Highest
Luke 2:1-20 (NASB77)
1 Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.
2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
3 And all were proceeding to register for the census, everyone to his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,
5 in order to register, along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.
6 And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.
7 And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, ” Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
12 “And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 ” Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 And it came about when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”
16 And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.
17 And when they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Struggling with Prayer?
I’m a bit behind in my study of Max Lucado’s new book. Proverbs 31 Ministries has been doing the study in the online Bible study (OBS) format, and it has been a real blessing. Lucado offers a very concise prayer model, that you can utilize and modify for your daily prayers. I wanted to make you aware of a different site, so you don’t feel like you have to fit the time frame of the OBS study. This is the last week of that study, but these resources have no time schedule. Take a look, read the book and let me know what you think. I find Lucado’s style to be very warm and encouraging, and I think his model prayer is a great place to start, or continue your prayer life from. Just as he suggests, his pocket prayer will provide you with something to focus on the minute you get out of bed in the morning. Instead of running to tune in to the news, take time to pray
Visit the site for more information and sign up for a four week prayer challenge. While there, take advantage of the free sample chapter, free worship song download, and sample video.
Simply Thankful, 2014, 2015
If you have spent any time in the Bible at all, you know you don’t have to look far to find reasons to be thankful. The Word itself is overflowing with reasons to give thanks to the Lord. I’ve heard various authors declare that if we would just list a few things to be thankful for, we won’t stay in a sad state of mind for very long. What are you thankful for this year? Has He been your strength and shield? Has he delivered you from addictions, financial woes, illness, dangers of any kind? Has He blessed your home and family this year? Maybe things have not gone so well, but you can still find glimpses of the miraculous in your life. Make a list this year, and share it with your family around the table. Have your children make their own lists to share. Do a word study on any Biblical passages referring to giving thanks.
Recognize His work in your life. Reflect on it on this special day. Respond, by giving back to Him and to others who might just need some encouragment.
Psalm 28:6-7 (NASB77)
6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.
Encouraging words from The Word
Isaiah 41:10 (NASB77)
10 ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
Maybe, just maybe, someone will be stopping by to read this blog. Though I have a very urgent desire to write, I don’t get to spend all the time here that I intend to. Not yet. However, I do believe in the power behind His Word, which is far greater than anything I could ever share. My prayer for you is that you know Him as your God and you know He strengthens you. There are an awful lot of places online and elsewhere, which cause anxiety. These few verses give reasons to stop looking all around at those. Take your eyes off the news for awhile, and focus instead on the Good News.
Luke 1:32-33 (ASV)
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Life might not seem like it is so simple for you right now, and your faith might be challenged. Hang on, and trust that His hand is upholding you through whatever it is, no matter how great or small the situation. If you need to access online study resources and don’t know where to look, please leave a comment. If you don”t know Him, click the page by the same name off to the side of this page. Finally, if He has provided you with strength and help recently, please feel free to share. Your story might just boost someone’s faith right now.
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