God is there when you call on Him

"Come near to God and he will come near to you." (James 4:8a NIV)

 

Indeed Father God, You do not turn your face away when your children seeks You -- You run to them. This day brought situations that my limited human wisdom and emotional capacity alone cannot sustain. When I asked Your Holy Spirit to guide me, You spoke to me -- You lead me to open my Bible app and to this verse, as if talking to me face to face:

 

"Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV)

 

Thank You for telling me to go on, to move as You have called me, even when times I need to go by myself or things don't go by my way. I pray Lord that You bless the works of my hands for Your glory and may my life worship be a pleasing aroma to You.

 

I love You Lord, because You loved me first. I stay amazed by You. YOU ARE AWESOME!

The Power Of Your Love

I've heard and sang this song many many times but today I felt the nudging of the Holy Spirit to play it on my iPhone while I was en route to work. And each word spoke to me like God is speaking to me directly.

The Power Of Your Love (Hillsong)

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Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I found in You
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love

Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
In the power of Your love

Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see You face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As You live in me
Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
In the power of Your love
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Truly oh Lord, that You inhabit the praises of Your people! (Psalm 22:3)

Thank You Lord, as you keep on encouraging me through this season and not condemning me or making me feel alone or wrong as people could intentionally or indirectly may do so towards me. You are the one there with me at my lowest and accepted & believed in me and raised me up from my brokenness. You are still with me now. I'm overjoyed You didn't give up on me. I love You Lord, because You loved me first.

I'm forever grateful for your finished work at the cross, my Savior Jesus Christ!

Measuring Up

this is my devotion for my birthday (yesterday). how fitting because God made me perfect, beautiful and in His own image. hope you'll find solace in this devotion like i did.

Measuring Up
by Renee Swope

"When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12b (NIV)

Do you ever compare yourself to other women and feel like you don't quite measure up? Maybe you feel like you're not as smart, pretty, fun, organized or as good at _______ as they are.

It is so easy to think that if we had more or knew more, we'd be secure. But the truth is, even people who "have it all" still struggle with feelings of insecurity. The Bible opens with the story of a woman who had everything but it still wasn't enough (Genesis 2).

God had established Eve's worth as His child and the crown of His creation. He also gave Eve every woman's desire: intimacy, beauty, security, significance, and purpose. Yet Satan conjured up feelings of insecurity by getting Eve to take her eyes off what she had and focus on what she didn't have.

Boy, can I relate. Like Eve, I've heard Satan's whispers telling me I'm not all I could be - or should be. One day I was reading her story in Genesis 2 and I noticed that his questions and suggestions were intended to plant seeds of doubt in Eve's heart. He wanted her to doubt God and herself.

The enemy's whispers tempted Eve to try to "be" more and "have" more by seeking significance apart from God's provision. He convinced her something was missing in her life and that the forbidden fruit would make her be "like God."

It was a foolish comparison, but all comparisons are. Yet don't we do it all the time? If only I was like her...if only I had a house like hers, a husband like hers, a job like hers...if only my children behaved like hers...If only _______, then I'd feel significant, satisfied and secure.

In today's key verse, Paul warns us that those who "measure themselves by themselves, and compare themselves with themselves, are not wise" (2 Cor. 10:12 NIV). Comparison will always leave us feeling like we don't measure up. We can try to do more and be more, yet it's never enough.

If only Eve had focused on who she was and what she had as a child of God. If only we could too.

Yet Satan wants us to focus on our flaws and feelings of inadequacy, then exhaust our energy figuring out how to hide them. But we don't have to go along with his schemes. Instead we need to equip ourselves to recognize his lies, refute his temptations with truth, and focus on God's acceptance, security, and significance. Then we can thank God for His provision and His promises that remind us of who we are in Him:

I am accepted...
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.

I am secure...
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.Romans 8:31-39 I am free from condemnation. I can't be separated from God's love.Philippians1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.

I am significant...
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Author and psychologist, Dr. Neil T. Anderson says, "The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior (and beliefs) will begin to reflect your true identity!"

So, the next time we're tempted to use the measuring stick of comparison - let's commit to measure UP ↑ by focusing upward on Christ and who we are in HIM!

Lord, thank You that in Christ I'm chosen, holy, and dearly loved. When I'm tempted to measure up according to the world's standards or my foolish comparisons, help me recognize Satan's lies, refuse his temptations and rely on your truth about me instead. Remind me that such confidence as this is mine through Christ-not that I am competent in myself to claim anything for myself, but competence comes from You. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 5:9; 2 Corinthians 3:4-5)

have a great Thursday and may God bless you today! (-^_^-)

LORD, You amaze me!

When I am lost, You find me.
When I am sad, You give me joy.
When I am in pain, You heal me.
When I am distraught, You comfort me.
When I am lacking wisdom, You enlighten me.
When I am in doubt, You proclaim Your Truth in my life.

LORD, YOU'RE AMAZING!

Thank You for loving me and pouring out your favor and blessings upon my life each day that I live!