What's Ahead

Photo Credit Deborah Duerr

Down the road a bit, just passed the horizon lies the entrance to tomorrow. It's waiting there for you! Experiences, challenges, heart felt moments and even some promises reside there. You can't exactly see what's ahead nor can you get a sense of what's in store, still it's perched right there waiting to welcome you.

Not knowing what's ahead may cause you to be curious or even anxious. Will tomorrow bring clear skies or will it be stormy? Will the day go smoothly or be sprinkled with interruptions, frustration and delays? Who will you encountered there and what will be the interaction? What lies ahead is really a big question mark. 

In all of this there is one thing for certain. When you get to tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, Jesus Christ will still be on the throne. His love for you will continue. He will still be fighting your battles for you, cheering you on, and providing everything you need exactly when you need it. There will be people and situations that will be in your path that God has set their for your good. His plan for your life will unfold and you will have His grace, strength and spirit to lead you through. 

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Pick Up Your Mat And Go Home

Many years ago I heard my now favorite Bible, story Mark 2:1-12, in a way that changed my life. The story is about a paralyzed man. His friends go to great lengths to get him in front of Jesus to be healed. 

Recently, I was blessed to have the opportunity to join my daughter in the church she attends, Contemporary Church, in Georgia. Pastor Stephen Contee there has an incredible gift of presenting the Word of God in a clear and powerful way. 

His message on the story of the paralyzed man, his insights and wisdom, are compelling and powerful. I am sharing the link to the message below and hoping you will watch, listen, be blessed and be moved into God's desired for you life. 

You may have the weight of the world weighing you down, keeping you from moving forward, causing you to be stuck or paralyzed. Jesus is the answer. 

The link to the message is here https://youtu.be/RcO922_yK00.  You can find more of Pastor Stephen's messages at https://contemporary-church.com

May you be blessed beyond measure.

“I tell you, stand up, pick up your mat, and go home.” Mark 2:11

Waiting on God

Let's face it, if you are like most people, you hate waiting. Waiting for traffic lights, for planes to arrive or take off, for a seat at a busy restaurant, well basically for anything, is hard. We are impatient, and growing more so. The world around us promotes and provides faster service, instant access and reminders of what we need, before we need it, so we don't have to wait.

While there may be benefits to not waiting and to having instant access or results, the process of waiting is in a sense, sacred. God didn't complete creation in an instant. Rather, He took the time over multiple days to create the Heavens, earth, and all that would inhabit them. He certainly had the power to simply speak everything into existence at once. Still, God waited to complete the most incredible design over time.

Waiting implies a process or steps of a process are taking place which when completed will provide a desired state or creation. New life, an absolute miracle, takes time from conception to birth. Perhaps this is where the expression "worth waiting for" or "miracles take time" stems from. Both infer the wait will result is something beyond usual or typical. The result will be exceptional or extraordinary. 

There may be something you are waiting on that seems to be taking longer than you think it should. It could be a promotion, delivery, fulfillment of a dream, or conclusion of the process to obtain a piece of property. Whatever it is, recognize that your desire to speed things up may be counter to what God is doing. His timing and processes are perfect.

While you wait on God, remember that waiting is a sacred time. It's a time where God is weaving and knitting together the most intricate and incredible pieces that only He can create and orchestra, to provide the perfect results for your life.

"And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You." Psalm 39:7

Looking Up

Photo Credit: Casie Steele @Steele a Peek Photography

The enemy is real. He aims to steal your joy, bring you pain, have you doubt and cause you to suffer. Your shield and hope to counter the enemy is Jesus Christ. 

With Christ there is certainty of victory, strength and all that is intended for your good. Don't be deceived. The enemy would like you to believe there is no hope, no way out, and no answer to all that plaques you. 

Look up! Set your sights on Jesus. Know that He reigns, is in control, and has you in the palm of His hand. The same hand that stretched out the Heavens and drew the boundary lines for the ocean is holding you. How can you go wrong?

Let go of all burdens, worries, and fears. Stop trying to make sense of the sorted details and and give it up to God. Trust Him to handle it and rest in Christ. Settle into His perfect grace. Embrace and hold Him tightly. For He cares for and loves every inch of you.

"Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance." Jude 2:1

Dwelling

There is a place where your heart and mind go. 

Often without realization or set as a plan. 

You find yourself there for a moment or a time. 

Feeling happy or dismayed depending on the circumstance. 

Away from the world and all its chaos you dwell.

There, where no one can intervene or interrupt, you hide. 

Thank you, wonder why, what if, and remember when all reside here. 

Tugging at your heart like an old acquaintance just dropping in 

to see if you still want to know them. 

Soon, you understand that only God deserves this space. 

Here, He influences you, oh so gently and makes

it clear. God is your dwelling place. 

The place to dwell is not away from, but rather in Him.

There you will know rest, love, grace and peace. 

He provides all you need to persevere in the world.

"How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty!"

Psalm 84:1