Push Past

My little Noah turned 3 months old on Tuesday. That same day he decided to roll over for the first time when I was away at book study. I was pretty sad that I missed this “first” for him, but reminded myself that I’ll get to see him do it many more time.


The next day, I watched as he worked so hard to get his body to cooperate with his goals. The look of concentration on his face was priceless. When I laid him down on his back, he would push with his foot and easily roll over onto his side, making great strides towards his belly. Then, he came to a halt as his pesky arm got in the way.  :)

He pushed harder! He wouldn’t give up. He had made up his mind. He had been working towards this for weeks…making strides, building up his muscles to get to this point. There was no going back! He just kept trying. He pushed as hard as he could, making all kinds of grunting noises, until finally he found the strength to push past this great obstacle called his own arm. :) He did it!

He proudly looked around in triumph...

As I watched Noah working so hard towards his goal, I wondered if I am that determined when it comes to my walk of faith. As I face obstacle in my everyday life, do I push past them to reach my goals and become the woman God created me to be?

As women (and a human beings in general) it is so easy to be held back by the pain of the past, the struggles of today, fear of failure and our own insecurities. We often let our feelings and emotions rule rather than allowing the strength of the Savior to guide us.

We will never push past these obstacles unless we start depending on HIS strength, rather than our own. We get so far, then get held back by our own “arm.” We push and push to achieve, but we’ll never make it to our goal (and His) without pushing with His strength in us! It’s not a sign of weakness to depend on Him. It takes flexing our faith muscles to keep pushing forward!

Jesus said, “Anything is possible if a person believes.” Mark 9:23

What if little Noah would have given up? He would have never known what he is capable of. Noah kept building up those muscles, pushing until he found the strength inside, until he did it! At first, it was a little awkward. Even once he rolled over, his neck was weak, his head a little wobbly. After a couple of days and several more rollovers, his neck is strengthening. He could still be just lying there on his back, waiting for something to happen, but now…

He’s enjoying the view! A new found freedom!

The Enemy would love to keep us bound up by our own weaknesses! He wants us to give up, lying there completely helpless and ineffective, never reaching our full potential. He doesn’t want us to push past them, finding God’s strength within.

If we are Christians we already have the power of the Holy Spirit living within us (II Tim 1:14). That means that we have the strength in us to push past the lies of the Enemy, the circumstances of everyday life and our own feelings of inadequacy. We must learn to draw from the strength within, surrendering all to Him, knowing that we are dependant on HIS strength alone!

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.  Philippians 4:13

Noah will continue to grow, learn and mature from here. With a little practice, before we know it, he will be sitting up, crawling, walking and even running! Things that seem impossible for him now, are within his reach if he just keeps pushing forward.

This journey of faith is ongoing for us as well, my friend. It will continue until we are, “…mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him.” We are a work in progress. We will never “arrive” or get it perfect in this lifetime. Still we must move forward, strengthening our spiritual muscles, maturing in Christ.

We can't give up! We must keep turning to Him, asking for His strength and relying on it!!! The more we depend on His strength the more natural it will become. The possibilities are endless. Things that seem impossible are possible for us too…when we rely on His strength!  Do you believe it?!

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

Feelings

Ever feel weary? I know where you can find rest…

Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden (burdened), and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

Ever feel hopeless and desperate? There’s a place to go for that too…

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.  Jeremiah 29:11

Ever feel doubtful and scared? God’s Word says…

When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19

Feeling insecure and uncertain? There is hope...

But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.

Jeremiah 17:7

Do you feel ashamed? No need, you can be radiant with joy...

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

Are you feeling lonely? Scared? You are not alone, He is with you...

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18

Are you feeling worried? There’s someone who cares, a friend…

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.  I Peter 5:7

Feeling anxious or uncertain? There’s an answer for that…

Let all that you are wait quietly before God, for your hope is in him. Psalm 62:5

Do you feel that you can’t change? Unable to overcome?  It’s NOT true (even though the Enemy would love to keep you there)...

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. I Corinthians 10:13

Feeling defeated? Don’t know if you can go on? He’s an overcomer and with Him you can be too...

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

Do you feel lost or uncertain where to go next? He will show you the way...

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

Feeling fearful? Afraid? He’s holding your hand...

For I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Isaiah 41:13

Feeling restless and in need of peace? You can only find it one place…

I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world can not give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27

These are promises from God’s Word, dear friend! And unlike the world, God always keeps His promises! And unlike our own feelings, God never lies!! If we read it in His Word we CAN count on it, it’s true! All we have to do is except His promises! If we go to Him in faith believing, we WILL receive!! (Matthew 21:27) If we will simply ask, His peace is ours!! He doesn’t say He might give it to us, He says He WILL!

Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you WILL experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand (passes all understanding or comprehension!). His peace WILL guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Struggling in one or more of these areas? I encourage you to take the corresponding promise from scripture above (or look up some for your own in the concordance of your Bible or at www.biblegateway.com, write it on a 3x5 card, carry it with you and meditate on it this week. Fill your mind and heart with the truth of God’s Word…and be set free from these negative, defeating feelings!

Remember feelings lie, God (and His Word) does not!

Freedom

I love Independence Day!

I enjoy gathering with family and friends...

 for cookouts, food and water fights

I especially enjoy the FIREWORKS!

I am incredibly thankful for my freedom as an American!

I am thankful for all the brave ones who have served...

many of them shedding their blood and giving their life

so that I can enjoy sweet American freedom!

I am also incredibly thankful for the freedom I have in Christ!

I am thankful for the One who came to serve...

to shed His blood and give His life

as a ransom for mine

so that I can enjoy TRUE freedom!

He is rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom

with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

Ephesians 1:7

And you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free."

John 8:32

So Christ has truly set us free!

Galatians 5:1

Let's Talk! Tuesday

Random thoughts for Let’s Talk! Tuesday…

1. I haven’t taken the time lately to sit down and compose a blog post, so sharing some random thoughts sounds good. I’ve had many blog posts whirling through my head, yet the words never quite seem to make in onto my blog. Hmmmm…maybe someday soon. If I didn’t have to sleep I could get so much more accomplished in a day. :-)

2. Did you know that when a baby is born it has 20/400 vision?  By 3 months old it’s more like 20/50.

3. Last Tuesday we had a Rise & Shine Women’s Retreat team meeting. We took some extra time at the beginning of the meeting to pray together. It was amazing how the meeting flowed, how much we accomplished with the short time we had left after our prayer time. It just goes to show when we give God the time He deserves, He is faithful to multiply the time we have to accomplish our goals, and His!

4. My boys are growing like weeds…very cute weeds!! :-)

5. Maybe it's more appropriate to say they are growing like corn...Andrew (3) and his daddy (my dear husband) planted two rows of corn in his sandbox. They even fertilized it a couple of weeks ago.  :) My little farmer in training...

  

6. Wonder what my boys will choose to do with their lives…doctors, pastors, chefs, architects, pilots, professional athletes…the possibilities are endless. No matter what they do, I pray they will find their worth in who they are in Christ!

7.  I’ve been thinking lately (scary, I know!), what good is our “faith” if every time something “big” happens in our lives we loose it? That’s not really faith at all. As Christians (Christ followers) what should set us apart from the rest of the world, is the hope and peace we feel and exhibit to others when things don’t go as planned. I’m not talking about being fake. I’m talking about making the choice to praise Him even when life doesn’t make sense. This can be extremely difficult, I know, I’ve been there. Still, we have to keep the bigger picture in mind. Remember His faithfulness, “keep the faith”! God is in control…always has been, always will be! AND we can trust Him…even in unsteady times!

“Let all that you are wait quietly before God, for your hope is in him.”

Psalm 62:5 (emphasis mine)

8. My little Noah (2 1/2 months) laughed out loud for the first time this past week.  Oh, the joy! :-)

(appropriately his shirt says, "Little Sunshine!" :-)

...my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out
 in songs of thanksgiving. 

Psalm 28:7

 9. Feeling overlooked?  Underestimated?  Insecure?  God told Samuel (in I Samuel 16:7), "Don't judge by appearance or height...The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."  Praise God we are loved, significant and worthy in HIS sight!  Can I get an Amen?!

10. Better get off the internet, Andrew is outside and I can hear running water! Yeah, better go check on that…

Until next time… remember to keep looking UP, friends!! :-)

Second Chances

I’ve heard it said, “God is a God of second chances.” I agree with that, but at the same time I don’t. I’m a person who has had second chances, third chances and chances upon chances, so I know all about God’s abundant grace. Still, there are times when we don’t get a second chance.

That encounter with that person today may be your last or only chance to share Christ’s love with them.

Someone you love may leave this world, making this your last chance to say, “I love you”, “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you.”

If you speak words in anger (or just carelessly) you could really hurt someone, you can’t take them back and no matter how sorry you are the scars still exist.

If you’re not obedient to follow God’s lead, that door of opportunity may not open again.

If you make bad decisions you will experience the consequences.

If you break the law you will have to pay the price. Note: have you ever heard national author and speaker, Carol Kent’s story? Her son boldly shot and killed another man in a moment of rage. He is serving a life sentence in prison. Not only can he not take back that day, the other man doesn’t get a second chance either.

If you die you will not have another chance to make it right and you will also have to stand before God and answer for the decisions you made. (Rom 14:10)

Sometime, someday it WILL be your last chance!

That’s why God’s Word says, “Today is the day of salvation.” (II Cor 6:2)

That’s why we must “make the most of every opportunity.” (Col 4:5)

That’s why we must share Christ’s love with the world, being His ambassador. (II Cor 5:20) Really loving them. (Rom 12:9-10)

We may get another chance, we may not. God is not required to give us another chance. It is only by his grace that we get one. We should be grateful for every moment God gives us and not waste it! (I Tim 1:4) Each day is a gift from Him.

We don’t know when it will be our last chance. Whether we die tomorrow or years from now, we will never get THIS DAY back again. This is our one chance to live this one day!

What will you do with your chance today?

Thank God for His grace and forgiveness. Commit this day...and your life to Him.  Thank Him for your second (or third or fourth or whatever) chance today. Then live THIS DAY to the fullest, seeking ways to honor Him…and I will choose to do the same!  Let's not waste this day of opportunity!!

Let's Talk! Tuesday

Thought I'd give this a try...joining Shelly over at Is That You Lord? for Let's Talk! Tuesday

Random thoughts for this week:

1. Can hardly believe my little Noah is 8 weeks old today. The time after the baby arrives definitely goes faster than the weeks before delivery. :) Thankful for a sweet, contented baby!

2. So thankful for the rain. We needed it. Our corn is saying, “Aaaahhhh, thank you, Lord!” It is amazing how God always provides just what we need, just when we need it. He is faithful!

3. It can be rather stressful taking 2 young children to Wal-Mart. :)

4. Reading the book, “Growing Grateful Kids” by Susie Larson (one of my favorite authors). Funny because I thought I was going to be reading a book about my kids, but really the book is about me…about my personal walk with Christ and then how to apply that to my parenting. Susie says, “You cannot impart what you do not possess. Our kids need to be grateful, but we cannot teach what we do not know. Therefore, we must become sincerely grateful people first.” Amen. I highly recommend this book!

5. It hurts when your kids hurt! I’m really just starting to understand the depth of this.

6. They are having a Fire Fighter themed VBS this week at our church. Yesterday evening they had a real fire engine there along with all the gear and 2 decked out firemen. Andrew was so excited! He even got to take a ride and he thought that was pretty special! Neat to hear how they applied fire fighting to the Christian walk of faith as well.

7. So thankful for the peace and quiet of country living. Sometimes I don’t appreciate it enough. It’s such a blessing to be surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.

8. Looking forward to our summer book study of “Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl” by Lysa TerKeurst. YOU can join the online study too. If you’re interested click here for details.

9. “Proud to be humble.” God has been working in my heart lately. First about humility, then grace and now forgiveness which all tie in together. You really can’t have one without the other. I wondered where God was going with this at the beginning of this journey, but now the pieces are all coming together. I think I have a new blog post brewing!

10. Appearances. I use to be way more worried about my appearance than I would have ever admitted. It dawned on me the other day that, that has changed quite a bit. Although I want to do the best with what God has given me, I am now more concerned with what is in my heart, than what is on my body. Thankful for a better focus!

Book Study Opportunity!!

The Rise & Shine women's ministry team would love for you to join us on a journey to become more! In a couple of weeks we will begin reading Lysa TerKeurst's latest book, "Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl."   Each week plans are to read a chapter and then visit the Rise & Shine blog to share thoughts on what her words spoke to your heart.
 
* Learn how to make a Bible passage come alive in your devotion time.
* Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.
* Stop the unhealthy cycles of striving and truly learn to love who you are and what you've been given.
* Discover how to have inner peace and security in any situation.
* Sense God responding to your prayers.

If you would like to learn more about the study go to the Rise & Shine blog by clicking here.

Would enjoy connecting with you...and looking forward to what God will do through this study!! :)

Have a blessed day, friends!