When my daughter was four years old I was talking to her at bedtime about God and that we accept Jesus into our hearts and she replied, "God is in everyone's heart." She listed some kids names and then said he is even in all the adults hearts. Which made me immediately think of Jeremiah 31:33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." 

I was in awe of how kids can say such wisdom at times. It got me thinking of how they are so much more open to the spirit than most adults cause they haven't been tainted by this world. It also makes them more susceptible to hearing wrong spirits, which is why it's so important to pray with and over our children teaching them what is right. 
​
Furthermore, it had me thinking about how people say it's human nature when they do this or that (referring to something bad) and how wrong that is. We are created in God's image so our human nature is actually pure. The true problem is when Adam and Eve ate the fruit they caused a sin nature to taint the pure human nature. But God had a plan to fix that, thankfully. Jesus came and died to cleanse the sin nature from us to make us pure again. That way the Holy Spirit could dwell within us. God is about free will so we have to acknowledge that we need Jesus to save us and ask him to be our Savior.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

I read this during a devotional the other day and it really hit home for me. I have been dealing with some chronic pain and issues for twenty plus years. Just last year I was finally given the diagnosis     of Fibromyalgia and some medication to try to help handle the pain. It helped take the edge off for a little bit. Just as it wasn’t helping anymore the doctor I was seeing retired and no doctor locally will treat patients with it. While my outer self(body) feels like it’s being destroyed and wasting away, God strengths and renews my inner self(soul/mind) daily pushing me not to give up.  Even at times when the pain and all makes me feels like I rather not exist, I hold on to God’s promises. One day I will have my healing whether it happens here on earth or in heaven that day will come. I am here going through what I am for a reason. I will trust God to empower me to do what he wants me to do. 

Is it easy? No, not at all. I have many moments of feeling discouraged. Especially when things I thought would workout out certain ways don’t. Waiting for God’s timing on circumstances can be rough. That’s why renewing our inner self daily is so important. Being in God’s word and talking to God. He is with us always, he knows our hearts, he loves us unconditionally, and he wants us to trust him

As I have said many times I do not believe God causes the bad to happen. He will work those bad circumstances this fallen world deals you into good for his and our good. (Rom 8:28) My recent reminder of this happened while I was doing some errands the other day. I was having to deal with city traffic and I did a maneuver that I thought Curtis would have been impressed with. It was a move I couldn’t have pull off two-three years ago. 

Before he had seizures he drove around 90% of the time. I only did when I had to. Driving gave me major anxiety with panic attacks, especially dealing with traffic. It’s kind of ironic that I wanted to move to the city even though dealing with people and traffic gave me such issues. After Curtis had the seizures I had to drive 100% of the time for nearly two years. I had no choice Curtis was in no condition to do so. I had to drive in the city nearly everyday since he had to be taken back and forth to work. 

I prayed a lot using words and in spirit while driving to try to calm me when the anxiety was overwhelming. I did not enjoy having to drive. I couldn’t wait for Curtis to get better. By God he did eventually get healed enough to drive again. I was so grateful for many reasons. He didn’t take over all the driving though. There are times he isn’t up to it or I just do it for whatever reason. 

Back to the other day, I had the realization that the extreme anxiety I got while driving wasn’t there anymore. I wasn’t constantly having a rollercoaster of adrenaline rush, which were so exhausting. I am not saying there aren’t times certain circumstances don’t cause them, however, by God I have overcome the intense anxiety. Praise God. He works all things for his and our good.

And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night...Genesis 1:16

This scripture was in my devotional last night and even though I have read it dozens of times it hit me a different way last night.

The sun is the true light source while the moon just reflects the sun's light for us to see. The Holy Spirit said it's just like how God's son is the true light source and we reflect his light for others to see.

Depending on the position of the moon to the sun it shines brighter or not at all. Just as our position(relationship) with the Son will determine how much of his light we reflect.

Nine years and six days after losing my dad in a horrible vehicle accident I loss my mom in a horrific vehicle accident. I didn’t get to say good bye to either. My dad I saw just a few days prior but my mom I hadn’t gotten to see in months. She had planned on visiting and we had plans to visit also.  Events like this in life can really change one’s perspective. 

I have had several deep heart to heart talks with God. It has felt like it’s been one thing after another and I just can’t catch a break. So much has happened the last couple years. I try to have faith and trust in God but at times honestly it’s so hard. I started doing a devotional and journaling with it. Truly laying everything at his feet. 

Recently I saw my husband in bed sleeping and such joy and peace came over me about how blessed I am. I was running errands and found myself with such joy and peace and a smile across my face. I was doing dishes and found myself with such joy and peace and even a smile though I hate doing dishes.  More and more lately I find myself smiling, feeling joy and peace. It’s not something this world can give you but it’s what God can give you no matter the circumstances you are facing. 

I still have moments of grief, tears, and disbelief that my mom is gone and even that my dad is gone. But I have come to a place that even though I have been through hard, painful events I can’t stay in the despair and the hurt. Instead, I will embrace what the Lord gives everlasting, unfailing love, peace, and joy in the heart. 

I want to encourage you today that you don’t need to stay in the despair or hurt either. It won’t always be easy and sure there will be moments that you are overwhelmed with grieve but don’t dwell there. The Lord can and will give you overpowering peace and joy that this world can never give or take away. 

Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

The Lord gives his people strength.
    The Lord blesses them with peace. Psalm 29:11

​How I can relate to this. When I focus on the negative then my life just feels like one trouble after the next. It feels relentless, a never ending stream of issue after issue. Focusing on the negative can lead you down a very dark destructive path. I know I have been there too many times.

I now try to focus on the second part of this scripture “but the Lord delivers him from them all”. No matter what troubles have come I am still here because God has gotten me through them all. God is my strength. God is my comfort. God is my healer. I am far from perfect I have moments of weakness and despair but I choose to remember all the good God has done for us and gotten us through.
​
No matter what the trouble you are going through right now or the next one that comes I encourage you to focus on the fact God will get you through it.

I love how God gives us different perspectives/revelations depending on the season we are in. 

Years ago I heard a song that said “He gives and takes away" and I remember getting angry at it. To me at the time it sounded like it was saying God will give you something then just take it away to be mean. I wrote a post ranting about that he only takes away if you ask him too. 
​
I recently heard the song again and couldn’t help but smile because I have a different outlook on it now. God gives good things he doesn’t take the good things away.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 

For example: he doesn’t take a loved one cause he needed an angel. 
However at times God does take things away. He takes away our sins, shame, guilt, pain, brokenness, and such when we ask him. 

John 1:29 "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Psalm 34: 17-18 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

I also believe that because he sees the whole film of our lives and not just a few clips he takes away things that aren’t the best for us. 

For example: maybe a job opportunity that in the moment sounds amazing or one feels is their only option. When in reality it’s truly not the best thing for the person in the long run.  I have been there several times for myself and my husband and I can say in the moment it was so disappointing. As time went on though we learned that it was a blessing it was taken way because there was something way better for us. 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
​
We have to depend on God for everything. We have to trust him to give us good and take away what is not good.

Notice the scripture says, "all the earth"? Not those that the earth thinks has a nice voice. It doesn't matter what other humans think of your voice. God loves your voice and thinks it's beautiful. Do not be afraid to sing to the Lord. Don't let the enemy's negative thoughts stop you from making a joyful noise to the Lord!
​
I was taking a shower and I just felt an urge to sing and praise the Lord. Everyone sounds good in the shower anyway right? Seriously though I did it and immediately negative thoughts came. I didn't let them stop me. I sang my heart out to God. I had such peace and joy doing it. The voice I heard coming from me wasn't one I had heard before but knew God was taking delight in it.
​
I encourage all to forget about everything going on in the world and take the time to just sing your heart out to God! Soak in His presence and love. You won't regret it.

Happy New Year!! I have heard people talking about goals & resolutions for this new year and I wasn't feeling those words. I wanted a different and better word for me. One that didn't make me feel like a failure if for whatever reasons the things on my list didn't happen. I was taking apart my Christmas tree this morning pondering on what word to use and it hit me: Hope. I hope and trust God will empower me. I thought I would share this idea and several scriptures on hope. I pray all that read this have a blessed year!

You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope. Psalm 119:114

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:7

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“‘The LORD is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I hope in Him!’” Lamentations 3:24
​
“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.” Psalm 16:9

It’s about not giving up, not letting setbacks stop you from going forward. It’s about learning from all you have gone through but not dwelling in those things. It’s being grateful that you aren’t the person you were yesterday and tomorrow you won’t be the person you are today. Each day moves you closer to Christ. Each day is another day to grow your relationship with God and others. Every step forward there are more chances to share God’s love with those you encounter.  

Those encounters can be as simple as what Abby did the other day at the bank. We were in the drive thru and she rolled her window down to tell the teller that her hair was very pretty. The teller couldn’t hear her, so I promised Abby to tell her for her. So when the teller gave me back my items I said, “my daughter wanted you to know you have very pretty hair.” The teller’s demeanor completely changed and she was so grateful.

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-16‬ ‭NLT‬‬