I am a God follower, who is absolutely in love with my family! I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. Thank you for spending a little time with me!
Have you ever felt like you had no more strength? I am not just talking about having a rough day at work, or even a rough week. I mean the kind of exhaustion that occurs when a life experience sucks the very air out of your lungs while simultaneously causing complete muscle failure... I have! I would like to say that it only happened one time, but I have had quite a few moments like that in my life. It was during one of those times in my life that I was talking with a friend of mine, and discussing the fact that I was at the end of my strength and she responded in a way that surprised me at first. She said, "Great! That is just the place God wants you to be! Now He will be free to do just what He needs to do!" What!?
Hopefully, you have a friend like that! That was just the reminder I needed to turn my thinking around. Why is it that we continually think that we are "in control?"
I taught two of my daughters to drive. :-) That is a story all by itself!! The hardest part of teaching my sweet girlies to drive was when they thought they knew better than me. Have any of you been there? I mean seriously, they were only 4 days into this new, dangerous endeavor and they knew better than me??! LOL!! When they were trying to do things their own way, they were unteachable!! I imagine I did the same thing to my parents. In fact, I know that I have done the very same thing to God. I don't want to be unteachable!!
So, what is the key? How do we keep our minds and hearts focused on God during times of crisis? I sure wish it was easy, but it takes intention. We have to take our eyes off the immediate and realize that we are nothing without God.
These verses in Psalms highlight to me how important it is for me to stay focused on His Word. When I submit to God, he is able to guide me and give me counsel.
We are doing a study of Mark @kingsway.tv. As I was reading through Mark 2, and I see several things that stood out to me:
1. “Ministry is about people” -Pastor Jeff. Jesus didn’t miss a beat when a paralytic was lowered down in front of him during his sermon.
2. No matter what is going on in your life, the destination of your soul is ALWAYS the most important thing.
3. Be the type of friend that always points others to Christ. Even if it seems inconvenient. Even if you have to climb on top of a house, dig a hole through the roof, and lower your friend in front of the Savior that can meet their deepest need!
Although I spent most of my life attending church, as I became a young adult I struggled with exactly how to study God's Word daily. I wanted to seek God in a way that caused me to look more like Him every day, and I wasn't entirely sure how to make that happen. I had to dig in and ask God to help me figure it out. I also had some friends that didn't grow up in church and they seemed to have the same struggle.....in fact, you might be reading this and thinking that you too have always wondered what trick other people have up their sleeve that helps them study and retain the Word of God.
I can tell you, it is not a trick at all!! There also is no quick fix or magic beans that will help you in your quest to study and understand the Word of God. It takes what I call
THE FOUR D's!
Diligence: Realize that you can't do anything in your own strength. Ask God to help you to gain knowledge and understanding through your study. And don't fall into a trap of thinking that your knowledge will increase overnight. Be diligent!
Galatians 6:3"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Philippians 3:14 "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Dedication: Make sure that you begin by dedicating the time to God. If you have to set up appointments in your calendar for time with God and then keep that appointment!! I am a fur mom of some pretty adorable doggies. It seems that as soon I sit down to spend time with God, they dial up their cuteness level and do their best to lure me away.....LOL! Can anyone relate!? God wants us to want to spend time with him. Be dedicated to making it happen!
Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship."
Proverbs 16:3 "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will be established"
Discipline: Okay....okay....don't stop reading just because I said the word discipline!!! I want this to be an encouragement to keep going!! KEEP AT IT, MY FRIEND!!!
Don't give up! It may get hard to keep your appointment....but don't give up. The situation you are in may want to demand all your time, but don't give up. You may have put your Bible on a shelf for a day.....a week.....a month.....more......but don't give up!! God desires a relationship with you and the daily discipline of spending time with him can begin fresh and new right now!!
2 Timothy 1:7 "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline."
Proverbs 12:1 "Whoever loves discipline love knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid." (yikes!)
Decisiveness:Okay.....if you are like me, sometimes decisions don't come easily. I'm not talking about the decisiveness that you need to pick an item for lunch at a brand new restaurant when there are 300 items on the menu. LOL! I am talking about taking the time to plan out exactly how you are going to dig into the Word of God. There are great tools at your disposal these days, like
"1 Thessalonians 5:21 "But test everything; hold fast to what is good."
2 Timothy 1:13 "Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."
This study help is so neat and unique. It is a cross between a devotional and a workbook. In just fifteen minutes a day, you'll learn the Bible's key people, events, and doctrines to get more out of God's Word. I found this wonderful book easy-to-use, and very informational.
Features:*from the back cover
The Arc of Bible History to help you visualize the Bible's overarching themes.
The Story of the Bible, summarizing Genesis through Revelation in just a few pages.
The core beliefs of the Christian faith, focusing on the teachings that have united Christians for the last 2,000 years.
A 13-week plan that provides teachers with creative and effective tools for teaching the Bible in 30 days.
Fan-favorite bonus content, previously removed, now restored from the original edition.
My friends, we are all in this thing we call life together. There are ups and downs that bring us joy and elation, as well as, grief and pain. The one thing that is always constant is the love of God, which He lays out for us in His Word. Don't neglect it. Pick up your copy of this fantastic book, and dig in!! You'll be glad you did!!!
I had the privilege of reviewing three elegantly crafted journals from Ellie Claire Gifts, and I was overwhelmed with the unique beauty found on each page. You definitely need to order your own so you can see exactly what I'm talking about! Do you journal? Maybe you don't, but you have a friend or loved one that does.....you won't find a better quality journal anywhere else. From the ornate cover and binding, to the beautifully detailed pages; you will fall in love from the word "go!"
The Illustrated Word An Illuminated Bible Coloring Journal
"Just as medieval monks brought Scripture to life through intricate handwritten and illustrated manuscripts hundreds of years ago, you can now create your own keepsake to be treasured for years to come. Forty illustrations have been recreated as line drawing to color. Full-color illustrations from the archives of the Museum of the Bible
make this journal a true masterpiece." - back cover
Take a look at this fantastic color page!! I was able to incorporate the use of this journal during my morning devotional time. I love the fact that the color pages highlight different Bible references that I was able to use as memory verses. I would meditate on the verse as I colored each page. You are never too old to memorize scripture. Whether you grew up in church memorizing scripture, or you just began your relationship with Him today....memorizing the Word of God is a great way to grow and mature in your walk with God. The journal page on the opposite side is good for notes and other verses that is brought to your mind during your devotion time.
Illuminate Your Story Journal
"Illuminated letters once adorned the pages of books and Bibles giving them rich color and gilding that made the text come alive. Today, illuminated letters are enjoying a renaissance, encouraging beautiful illustration in planners, journals, and personal art." - back cover
When you open this journal you will find easy-to-follow instructions, a "How To" section, along with a brief history of illuminated letters. You will enjoy utilizing the step-by-step plans laid out and the practice section for each letter.
Scattered within there is also journal pages for your thoughts. Allow the scripture references and motivational quotes to speak to your heart and mind. You will find wonderful creativity sparked as you spend time in the pages of this lovely journal.
Faith & Lettering Journal
"Reignite your devotional time, imprint Scripture on your heart, and dig deep into the Word of God through the art of lettering. Expert tips will help you pursue a deeper faith by expressing your God-given creativity." - back cover
What a beautiful journal this is!! The cover is colorful, fun, and full of texture. There is a pen loop on the spine that holds a pen or marker in place for the next time you visit this journal. Each page is nice and thick and allows you to use different types of coloring mediums to fill the pages.
I found that this journal is designed in such a way that it helps you slow down and spend some quiet time with the Word of God as you incorporate hand-lettering into your devotional time. This journal is a safe space for you to practice you lettering skills in various different styles. Remember that God's Word never returns void. As you focus on Him, you will find clarity as you saturate your heart and mind with the truths found in His Word.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to review all three of the journals. They are each unique, and magnificently beautiful! I have no doubt that you will enjoy these. Don't miss an opportunity to add one to your personal library, or pick up one or more for a Christmas gift! I have no doubt that they will love it!
Do you remember getting your first Bible when you were a kid? I sure do!! I was so excited to break it open and starting reading it for myself!! I had the opportunity to review this wonderful Polar Exploration edition of the NIV Adventure Bible! It is absolutely fantastic!
With over 9 million copies sold, the Adventure Bible
brand is beloved by Christian schools, churches, and families
alike. Now, available to you and your loved ones in a
wonderfully exciting polar exploration theme!
Get ready for a fun and frosty Adventure!! As you can see the full color images jump right off the pages as they highlight memory verses that are a fundamental part of your little ones' relationship with God! Join in on an exciting trek through God's Word by reading along in the NIV Adventure Bible Polar Expedition! While on this arctic adventure, readers meet all types of people, see all sorts of places, and learn all kinds of facts about the Bible. The features of the NIV Adventure Bible, Polar Exploration Edition include:
The same trusted Adventure Bible content in a frosty new theme
Full-color images of polar animals, arctic outposts, and icy landscapes throughout,
make learning about the Bible even more engaging
Life in Bible Times - Articles and illustrations describe what life was like in ancient days
Words to Treasure - Highlights great verses to memorize
Did You Know? - Interesting facts help you understand God's Word and the life of faith
Life It! - Hands-on activities help you apply biblical truths to your life
Twenty polar-themed pages focus on topics such as how to know you are a Christian,
famous people of the Bible, highlights of the life of Jesus, and how to pray
Book introductions feature arctic art and important information about each book of the
Bible
Dictionary/concordance for looking up tricky words
Color map section to help locate places in the Bible
Complete text of the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible
Thrilling new glacial cover on metallic paper
Please comment on this blog for your chance to win your very own copy. You have to act fast! A winner will be chosen in the next 24 hours......so don't forget to send your comment. You have the opportunity to receive your free copy before Christmas! I have no doubts at all that your little one will fall in love with this amazingly creative edition of God's Word!! If you want a chance to win a copy, share how old you were when you received your first Bible. I can't wait to hear from you!
There is a devotional available for purchase, but is not part of this promotional review
Must be living in the US to win. This review contains my own opinion. I did receive a copy of the NIV Adventure Bible Polar Exploration Edition in exchange for my review.
When you open the cover of this fantastic DVD you will find the heart of this project! Not only has Hillsong, along with Capitol Christian Music Group and Sparrow put together an amazing compilation of songs; they did it with a mission in mind. Down at the bottom of the inside cover you will find a section entitled "Our Prayer." The beginning of it reads: Our prayer is that you would discover the author of love...the Lord Jesus Christ. His life and death represent the greatest gift of love the world will ever see...
It is so important for churches and parents to team up and lay a spiritual foundation for our children. That is the goal of Hillsong. They understand the need for outstanding tools that both parents and churches can use to help us lay the foundational stones. Here is a brief bio statement for Hillsong: "Hillsong believes that teaching children to love God and others takes place in both the home and in the church. For this reason they seek to partner with parents (the greatest teachers of all!) and with church pastors andd leaders, equipping them with great resources. Through fun experiences, meaningful music and ministry that encourages kids to participate. Hillsong Kids presents Jesus Christ and His Church in a relevant way, creating moments which children will never forget."
"Can You Believe It? - Songs of Truth" is both a question and a challenge...a statement of gratitude to a loving God and an invitation to explore the very foundations of your faith. This beautifully produced DVD contains classic worship songs like "My Best Friend", "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" and "What a Beautiful Name" as well as brand new songs such as "As The World Shakes" & "Heaven Is Our Home."
I think what I enjoyed the most about the DVD is that it can be used for multiple applications. It would be entertaining to use the music videos at home or for use in a Kid's church situation as well. Definitely, the song lyric videos would be so great for a Kid's worship service! So whether you are a mom or dad, or a Pastor or Kid's Pastor this DVD will be a great addition to your collection.
The best part is you have the opportunity to win a copy for yourself! Enter below for an opportunity to win!
“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):
Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller /FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win. Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.
Have you ever had moments where you feel that there can be no way That God is with you? A moment where you feel so alone? Maybe you feel that somehow you have stepped into a place that even God can’t reach you?
Whatever situation has brought you to this place, you can be encouraged by this verse from Psalms. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
There is no place we could find ourselves in that would be out of reach of God!! That is such a relief for me! We have to remember that our feelings are probably the most deceitful thing about us. Our feelings can lead us astray and make us believe all sorts of things. We are able to take those thoughts captive and put our hope and trust in the God of the universe! — feeling loved.
I have spent quite a few years struggling with this particular concept. Not that I don’t understand forgiveness. I understand the importance of forgiveness, and have tried to live my life without bitterness or malice....but sometimes there are things that we deal with that almost seem like there should be an exception. We try to justify the wrong that was thrown upon us as a reason to hold a grudge.
Every time I believed that I had truly forgiven, the resentment would sneak back into my heart. ❤️ I hope I’m not the only one that has had this struggle.
I know that God’s Word is clear that to be forgiven we must forgive. Just like in the story of Joseph with his coat of many colors; he was sold into slavery and later was made second in command to Pharoah. We have to set aside our small minded thinking and realize that the things that were meant to harm us, God can use for good.
Prayer:
God help me to always choose forgiveness over resentment. Help me to trust you, even when the road I am on is confusing and uncomfortable. I thank you for your Word that guides and directs me every step of the way. Please forgive me for holding grudges, and continue to purify my heart.
I have been spending some time reading the book of James over and over again the past few weeks. I have found it both interesting and challenging in my daily walk with Christ. James 1:2-4 is a well known portion of scripture. "Consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Usually, I find that we stop right there......but take a look at verse 5 as James continues his thought in this letter.......he says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."
I really love that!
We are not in this world all alone! Does anyone else start to feel all alone when you are facing something that is tough or even just unexpected? If you do, don't beat yourself up. Stop and spend some time in God's Word. It is far too easy to find yourself relying on your own wisdom and plan. We want to come up with the plan that seems like it will just get us out of the situation as quickly as possible so we are back to feeling comfortable and in control. God's Word tells us that when we face trials we need to persevere, and to not stop, so that we can find ourselves mature and complete lacking nothing!! Let me say that again....so that we can find ourselves mature and complete lacking NOTHING!!! We can't do that on our own, we need to make sure that we ask for the wisdom that can only come from our heavenly Father. He gives it freely, without finding fault!!
Let's face it, we live in challenging times. The moral absolutes we grew up believing have flip flopped and what was once called "good" is now called "bad."
Tolerance has been taken to a new level, and we as Christians are being pressured to be permissive in regards to what God calls sin. Instead of lashing out at the unbelievers around us, it is up to us to share the Love of God in real and tangible ways....so that all may believe!
I was reading my devotion this morning on an app called "First5" and thought you might enjoy it as well!
Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Let’s face it, relationships are challenging. And Paul’s relationship-building tips are outof the box and counter to the world in which we live. The message we receive from social media, mainstream media and secular print sources is: Think of yourself first, and do whatever it takes to be successful. Paul challenges believers to survey the way the world builds relationships and treats others, then do the opposite.
Paul is passionate about message of humility and unity. Unity welcomes our differences as we develop our likeness around one Person. We accept and love our diversity because of our love for Jesus and our common desire to be like Him.
Paul teaches that since we have unity with Christ we should also imitate Christ’s humility in our relationships with others. This lifestyle is completely counterculture and is often misunderstood by the world.
Jesus offers the perfect example of what humility looks like. It begins, He says, with having the mind of Christ. Oh, the loftiness and responsibility! The magnitude of the statement is made clearer as Paul unpacks the details.
We demonstrate biblical humility that promotes unity when we:
Focus on the greatness of God, not our own. Jesus was God and had all the privileges of deity, yet He did not hold onto those rights or His rightness. His actions always put others first and deflected any glory He received to God. (Philippians 2:6)
Serve without seeking attention and gratitude. Jesus took on the nature of a servant. Even though He had power as a leader, He served. He served across cultural, economic and relational boundaries. (Philippians 2:7)
Obey God even when the task seems extreme. Jesus gave His physical life in obedience to God. While, in most cases our obedience will not require the giving of our physical life, humility says, God, I’ll obey even if Your call to action seems risky. (Philippians 2:8)
Living a lifestyle opposite of the world isn’t popular but it presents Christ to the world. When we lower ourselves and lift up Christ,others are drawn to Him and we are aligned with Him. There is no better place for the believer to dwell than in agreement with the Father.
Prayer: Father, living the opposite is hard. My culture directs me to live in a way that is contrary to Your instructions. Your Word is truth and good for me. Living by it, I am shaped into Your likeness. I boldly pray for the courage to live counterculture, in full alignment with Your heart and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pride is a tricky thing. It can sneak into your life subtly and almost when you're not looking, but can cause so much damage in your relationships. God hates pride, mostly because it is us thinking that our thoughts, ways, or intents are better than His.
I was reading my devotion this morning and Wendy Blight said it better than I ever could . . .
1 Samuel 31:6 (NIV)“So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day.”
Today is Saul’s day of reckoning. This day God exacted justice for the blood of the Amalekites Saul sinfully spared. The blood of the priests he sinfully spilled. The blood of David for which he sinfully sought and desperately schemed.
On the battlefield of Mount Gilboa, God fulfills Samuel’s haunting prophecy against Saul in 1 Samuel 28:18-19. This mountain that had once set the backdrop for Gideon’s great victory now becomes the scene of Saul’s shameful end.
In the heat of the Philistine battle, Saul watched his soldiers fall dead around him. He then watched as the Philistines slaughtered three of his sons one by one, including David’s beloved friend Jonathan. Saul knew he was next. The Philistines had already critically wounded him, and fearing further torture, Saul asked his armor-bearer to finish the job. He refused, so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. The king of Israel chose to die by his own hand, rather than be humiliated by the enemy.
The Philistines celebrated their victory in the most gruesome of ways. They hung Saul’s head in the temple of Dagon (1 Chronicles 10:10), displayed his armor in the temple of Ashtoreth and fastened his body to a wall as a trophy of their victory.
Saul’s tragic ending takes us back to God’s words in Deuteronomy 7:9-10. God promised to keep His covenant of love “to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”But “to those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction.”
We see this played out before our eyes with King Saul. He disobeyed God for years. He walked in his own ways. He failed to seek God’s counsel. And in the end, Saul even chose death by his own hand.
God kept His Word. He held Saul accountable. Israel’s enemies overtook them. Saul and his family died painful, humiliating deaths.
Though Saul’s life ends shamefully and tragically, it leaves a legacy of valuable lessons.
A life steeped in sin begins with compromise and small steps of disobedience.
Prideful justifications and excuses cannot replace humble confessions.
God-given gifts are worthless when not surrendered to the One who gifted them.
Yes, the first king of Israel was tall, handsome, strong, rich and powerful. But it all meant nothing without a heart surrendered to the One who placed him on Israel’s throne. Saul looked good on the outside but was spiritually bankrupt on the inside.
Friend, Saul’s life teaches us how not to live. David’s life teaches us how we should live.
Walk consistently and faithfully, stacking small steps of obedience one on top of another.
Bow before God when we take a step of disobedience, swiftly and humbly confessing our sin without justification or excuse.
Surrender our God-given gifts and talents to our Creator, giving Him alone all the glory and honor for our successes.
Prayer: Father, help me to walk consistently and faithfully with You. Give me a heart of humility so that when I take even the smallest step off Your path, I will submit to Your words of discipline and turn back toward You. May I daily give back to You that which You have entrusted to me. May I never seek personal credit and always give You all the glory in everything I say and do. In Jesus’ name, amen."
I spent the morning yesterday with my two sweet nieces L & M at Chick-Fil-A....or as they affectionately call it..... "ChickenfilA!" I thought it would be great to stop in and let them eat a little breakfast and play on the playland....which they love!! I was also being wise in the timing since we would be there before too many other people got the same idea! The sweet little sidekicks of mine are 4 and 1 3/4 years old. What I found out was that although the younger of the two is quite mobile, she happens to be just a little too short to make it up the tube by herself. When she realized that trying to climb up the tube by herself was proving unfruitful she turned around and ran straight to me. This was not just any run...she ran with her arms outstretched as she was calling my name! She knew that she couldn't do it on her own! Well, needless to say that melted my heart! Anyone who knows me, knows that I am always up for a little fun. But I am not so sure that a playland designed for children that are close to 40 years my junior would be considered my fun of choice! LOL! But I excitedly took off my shoes and helped her climb on in. Then as we made our way through the plastic maze I helped her explore and experience the playland in all its mighty splendor!
As I thought more about it, it made me think about my relationship with God. You see, children find it so easy to ask for help when they need it. They run to the ones they love, and ask for help. So that made me wonder......when does that switch flip? When does it become bad to ask for help?What makes us try to do everything on our own when a loving heavenly Father wants to help us? God is waiting for us to ask for His help. He wants to help us experience life in all its splendor! Not that we won't go through difficulties, but we don't have to do it alone. Take time each day to invite God into your day. He wants to help you through each situation that you face. Sometimes our life can be much like the plastic tubes of a playland and we may not be able to navigate it on our own. Be quick to go to God, He is waiting to hear from you.
I was reading my devotional this morning and it spoke directly to my heart. I have been a person that has thought that my dreams were either unimportant or too lofty for someone like me to even hope to achieve. But God has been doing a great thing in my heart this year! He has begun to challenge me to new things and has placed great dreams in my heart!
So when dreams were the topic of my devotional my heart leapt inside me!
So take a moment friend and read this devotion by Joyce Meyer and allow God to speak to you, challenge you, and encourage you. He has great things in store for you.....so don't be afraid of the dreams he has given you. Turn them into plans and move forward!
What is the dream that God's placed in your heart?I'm not asking if you have one, I already know it's there because God gives all of us dreams. I've seen people do all kinds of things to their dreams. Some people bury them so deep in their hearts in order to protect them from the criticism of others. Some people set them out of sight so they don't have to think about them anymore. And some people finally just give up on their dreams because it hurts too much to hold on.
If your dream needs a jump-start, there are two things I want you to remember. First, you need to get a vision that's clear. And second, you must keep your vision in front of you at all times. But having a vision doesn't mean that it will instantly appear. God's as interested in the process of vision as He is in the end result.
The apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:11-13 that he had learned how to be content and satisfied to the point where he was not disturbed by whatever state he was in. In other words, he never allowed himself to get upset with where he was at the moment, he was always looking forward to where he could be. That means you, like Paul, need to find a balance between contentment and ambition. Here's the key: Learn to enjoy where you are on the way to where you're going.
When you have a dream or a vision, you have to keep it in front of you. If it helps, write it down. And remember, God will help you live the dream He's given you, step-by-step, one day at a time.
Prayer Starter: Jesus, even though I don't always feel like it and life tries to get me to quit, I believe You have a great plan for my life. I choose to trust You to help me live the dream You've given me more than I trust my circumstances.
If you are anything like me there are probably times that you don't feel very delightful! In fact, I am going to go out on a limb and say that there may even be times that you don't act very delightful! LOL! Well, don't get too down on yourself. The bottom line is that we are all human. None of us do this thing called life perfectly. Why is it that we find it so easy to believe that God can forgive us of our sins, but we somehow forget that He delights in us! We find it easy to trust Him for our salvation, but we somehow find it hard to believe that He will forgive us again when we slip up. When our perspective is wrong and we believe that what God wants from us is merely a religious interaction, we get things mixed up. The key to seeing God and His true character is to remember that He is all about relationships. When we change our viewpoint, our perspective gets shifted back into alignment. So how do we rest in the fact that our Lord delights in us. That He desires to get to know us, and more than that....He desires us to get to know Him. We need to spend time in God's Word learning His character. Psalm 149:4 says, "For the Lord takes delight in His people, He crowns the humble with victory." We can trust our God. We can rest assured that He is working on our behalf even when it doesn't feel like it. We can take Him at His Word and know that when He says that He delights in us.....that is the truth. So as you go through your week, remember how much God loves you.....and take heart. We serve a good Father that delights in you!
Have you ever felt like you had no more strength? I am not just talking about having a rough day at work, or even a rough week. I mean the kind of exhaustion that occurs when a life experience sucks the very air out of your lungs while simultaneously causing complete muscle failure... I have! I would like to say that it only happened one time, but I have had quite a few moments like that in my life. It was during one of those times in my life that I was talking with a friend of mine, and discussing the fact that I was at the end of my strength and she responded in a way that surprised me at first. She said, "Great! That is just the place God wants you to be! Now He will be free to do just what He needs to do!" What!? 
