Sometimes I wonder, "Would anybody miss me if I wasn't here?" Loneliness can be an overwhelming feeling. It can strike me in many places; a crowded room, alone in my car, or even surrounded by my friends and family. It bothers me a lot when it happens. I know I'm not alone. God has promised to never leave me or forsake me.
But I get this ache to be known by someone. To have someone to share the adventures of the day with, and to wipe away the tears and laugh with.
When these moments come I have realized a few things. There is One who COMPLETELY understands, and He has provided me with friends who care about me. Also that I CANNOT give in to the enemy and give up in life.
When I run to Him, He reminds me that I have a unique purpose and that He has called me to do great things for Him. I will be unable to do them if I am stuck in a hole of loneliness, unforgiveness, comparison and selfishness.
So when my old acquaintance Lone Li Ness comes knocking on my heart's door...I don't invite it in for tea. I lock the door and remind myself of Whose I am.
"Just think—you don't need a thing, you've got it all! All God's gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 MSG
"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up His permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek."
Hebrews 6:19-20 MSG
"God will never walk away from His people, never desert His precious people. Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right... If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," Your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself, You calmed me down and cheered me up."
Psalm 94:14-15,17-19
Monday, 18 February 2013
Monday, 28 January 2013
Not Where I Want To Be.
How often I whine because it seems that God is taking fooooreveeeerr to get my life to the place I think it should be.
He can see farther ahead and knows exactly what I need. His plans are beyond what I could ask or think yet I whine to Him because He is taking to long.
There is a reason for this detour, or long cut, as I like to say. Maybe I'm not quite ready, or someone else isn't ready, or maybe the thing I want so badly isn't what I need or all that I think it will be.
Maybe I need to sit back and remember who is God.
And that definitely isn't me!
"When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, 'If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'”
-Exodus 13:17 NLT
"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. God's Decree. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them."
-Isaiah 55:8-11 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
He can see farther ahead and knows exactly what I need. His plans are beyond what I could ask or think yet I whine to Him because He is taking to long.
There is a reason for this detour, or long cut, as I like to say. Maybe I'm not quite ready, or someone else isn't ready, or maybe the thing I want so badly isn't what I need or all that I think it will be.
Maybe I need to sit back and remember who is God.
And that definitely isn't me!
"When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, 'If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.'”
-Exodus 13:17 NLT
"I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. God's Decree. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think. Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, Doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them."
-Isaiah 55:8-11 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
Draw Near.
A while ago I had a conversation with a wise man.
I said, "I don't think I have ever been this close to God."
His response, "That's because you need Him."
"Then I don't ever want to not need Him!!"
That was about 18 months ago. When I was struggling through emotions and pain of from having separated from my husband. I was in a place where I desperately needed my Heavenly Father to wrap His arms around me and whisper His love and affirmation to me! I may have been alone, but I was learning that I didn't have to be lonely when He was there for me whenever I called out for Him.
Now that I have grown and developed beyond the pain. Now that I have a life full of great relationships with friends and family, I was wondering, if I needed God less. Is His presence as close as it used to be?
Yes.
It is.
But my need for Him has changed.
I need His constant presence in my life. I feel vulnerable without Him.
I long for the quiet moments of sitting down beside Him and conversing as long time friends. I desire His loving correction and gentle rebuke, they make life better, even though it may hurt for a while.
I want Him to show me and be with me every step that I take though out the day. I want to see where He is at work so I will effectively love and help others.
So my need for Him changed, but He never changes. He is always near those who draw near to Him.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8a NLT
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Galatians 5:22-23 MSG
Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.
Philippians 4:23 MSG
I said, "I don't think I have ever been this close to God."
His response, "That's because you need Him."
"Then I don't ever want to not need Him!!"
That was about 18 months ago. When I was struggling through emotions and pain of from having separated from my husband. I was in a place where I desperately needed my Heavenly Father to wrap His arms around me and whisper His love and affirmation to me! I may have been alone, but I was learning that I didn't have to be lonely when He was there for me whenever I called out for Him.
Now that I have grown and developed beyond the pain. Now that I have a life full of great relationships with friends and family, I was wondering, if I needed God less. Is His presence as close as it used to be?
Yes.
It is.
But my need for Him has changed.
I need His constant presence in my life. I feel vulnerable without Him.
I long for the quiet moments of sitting down beside Him and conversing as long time friends. I desire His loving correction and gentle rebuke, they make life better, even though it may hurt for a while.
I want Him to show me and be with me every step that I take though out the day. I want to see where He is at work so I will effectively love and help others.
So my need for Him changed, but He never changes. He is always near those who draw near to Him.
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8a NLT
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Galatians 5:22-23 MSG
Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.
Philippians 4:23 MSG
Thursday, 3 January 2013
2012 My Revival Year.
Last year I wrote: "This year is a year of revival, not of my spirit, but of the hopes, dreams and ideas that were broken and shattered, of my identity, of a deeper sense of who I am in Christ."
Year of revival?
Yes. It has.
This past year has been incredible.
I have seen God work in me, through me and with me. He has been absolutely mind blowing! I have fallen deeper in love with Him, learned more about Him and spent some amazing time with Him.
I've had Him speak to the very core of my being, touch those deep, dark, lonely places and bring hope and belief to dreams and ideas that once seemed impossible or unthinkable.
He has brought me through great pain and heartbreak; He held me through it all!!
When I look back I see how His hand has been guiding me, how His grace has been sufficient in every area - relationally, physically & emotionally. I'm overwhelmed with His awesomeness!!!
There is unspeakable joy that I can only credit to Him. He always finds a way to show His unique and precious love and care for me.
My love and desire for His Word has grown immensely. I feel like an empty river bed when I get away from reading & studying it! I can truly say, "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God." Psalms 42:1 NLT
Without Him my life is pointless and meaningless. He gives me reason to wake up each morning with a song in my heart and a smile on my face. A new day to walk with Him and see where He is working and what I can do for Him.
His Word had radically changed my thinking, which changes how I look at life, how I treat people, how I respond to situations and really, who I am.
I love Him. He has been soooooooo good to me.
I'm looking forward to what 2013 has in store for me - my year of redemption/restoration.
Year of revival?
Yes. It has.
This past year has been incredible.
I have seen God work in me, through me and with me. He has been absolutely mind blowing! I have fallen deeper in love with Him, learned more about Him and spent some amazing time with Him.
I've had Him speak to the very core of my being, touch those deep, dark, lonely places and bring hope and belief to dreams and ideas that once seemed impossible or unthinkable.
He has brought me through great pain and heartbreak; He held me through it all!!
When I look back I see how His hand has been guiding me, how His grace has been sufficient in every area - relationally, physically & emotionally. I'm overwhelmed with His awesomeness!!!
There is unspeakable joy that I can only credit to Him. He always finds a way to show His unique and precious love and care for me.
My love and desire for His Word has grown immensely. I feel like an empty river bed when I get away from reading & studying it! I can truly say, "As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God." Psalms 42:1 NLT
Without Him my life is pointless and meaningless. He gives me reason to wake up each morning with a song in my heart and a smile on my face. A new day to walk with Him and see where He is working and what I can do for Him.
His Word had radically changed my thinking, which changes how I look at life, how I treat people, how I respond to situations and really, who I am.
I love Him. He has been soooooooo good to me.
I'm looking forward to what 2013 has in store for me - my year of redemption/restoration.
Monday, 31 December 2012
Is This Real?
I think I'm dreaming. I'm waiting to wake up from this dream and for REAL life to begin. It's like I'm waiting for the "bad thing" to happen and to burst this bubble I'm living in.
But I see that my life is not without it's problems, difficulties and frustrations.
I just look at and approach them and life differently.
I realize that my value is not based on what is/has happened to me, but based on a horrific death that bought me back from a life of sin. I focus on God's love and goodness that is on display all around me. I bring all my fears, sorrows and frustrations and leave them in His capable hands, because I know He can fix a broken heart, so anything else will be a cinch for Him. I also share my laughter, joy, dreams, plans and moments of sweet communion with my Creator, who delights in hearing my voice and seeing me smile.
I get up each morning and I can't believe this is my life and I get to live it to God's fullest with great joy!
So...
I am living in a dream!!! God's dream for me - a REAL life dream; a life lived walking with Him.
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Galatians 5:22-23
"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe He'll do it now, Maybe He'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust!"
Joel 2:13-14
"Give in to God, come to terms with Him and everything will turn out just fine. Let Him tell you what to do; take His words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and He'll rebuild your life. Clean house of everything evil. Relax your grip on your money and abandon your gold-plated luxury. God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine. You'll take delight in God, the Mighty One, and look to Him joyfully, boldly. You'll pray to Him and He'll listen; He'll help you do what you've promised. You'll decide what you want and it will happen; your life will be bathed in light. To those who feel low you'll say, 'Chin up! Be brave!' and God will save them. Yes, even the guilty will escape, escape through God's grace in your life."
Job 22:21-30
But I see that my life is not without it's problems, difficulties and frustrations.
I just look at and approach them and life differently.
I realize that my value is not based on what is/has happened to me, but based on a horrific death that bought me back from a life of sin. I focus on God's love and goodness that is on display all around me. I bring all my fears, sorrows and frustrations and leave them in His capable hands, because I know He can fix a broken heart, so anything else will be a cinch for Him. I also share my laughter, joy, dreams, plans and moments of sweet communion with my Creator, who delights in hearing my voice and seeing me smile.
I get up each morning and I can't believe this is my life and I get to live it to God's fullest with great joy!
So...
I am living in a dream!!! God's dream for me - a REAL life dream; a life lived walking with Him.
"But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."
Galatians 5:22-23
"Change your life, not just your clothes. Come back to God, your God. And here's why: God is kind and merciful. He takes a deep breath, puts up with a lot, This most patient God, extravagant in love, always ready to cancel catastrophe. Who knows? Maybe He'll do it now, Maybe He'll turn around and show pity. Maybe, when all's said and done, there'll be blessings full and robust!"
Joel 2:13-14
"Give in to God, come to terms with Him and everything will turn out just fine. Let Him tell you what to do; take His words to heart. Come back to God Almighty and He'll rebuild your life. Clean house of everything evil. Relax your grip on your money and abandon your gold-plated luxury. God Almighty will be your treasure, more wealth than you can imagine. You'll take delight in God, the Mighty One, and look to Him joyfully, boldly. You'll pray to Him and He'll listen; He'll help you do what you've promised. You'll decide what you want and it will happen; your life will be bathed in light. To those who feel low you'll say, 'Chin up! Be brave!' and God will save them. Yes, even the guilty will escape, escape through God's grace in your life."
Job 22:21-30
Tuesday, 18 December 2012
My Ordinary Life
Some days I get frustrated because I feel like I'm not doing anything for God. I think, "I should be Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer or something. It seems like they have the corner on God's market."
I just live a plain, old, don't do anything extraordinary life.
Except.
How extraordinary is it when you're with the same people day after day and they see something different about you? When people see you walk through trials and struggles with joy and confidence in the One who created you, or when you have honesty and integrity in a world full of lies and scams, or when you are able to show God's amazing love to those around you consistently?
I may not have the audience that some do, but people are watching, and I want them to see God and His amazing love and power in me.
So if that means living an "ordinary" life, then I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and rely on God's grace to make it extraordinary.
"During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old."
Luke 1:5-7 MSG
Read Luke 1:5-25 for the full effect of a life live honourably before God.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12:1-2 MSG
I just live a plain, old, don't do anything extraordinary life.
Except.
How extraordinary is it when you're with the same people day after day and they see something different about you? When people see you walk through trials and struggles with joy and confidence in the One who created you, or when you have honesty and integrity in a world full of lies and scams, or when you are able to show God's amazing love to those around you consistently?
I may not have the audience that some do, but people are watching, and I want them to see God and His amazing love and power in me.
So if that means living an "ordinary" life, then I'm going to do it to the best of my ability and rely on God's grace to make it extraordinary.
"During the rule of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest assigned service in the regiment of Abijah. His name was Zachariah. His wife was descended from the daughters of Aaron. Her name was Elizabeth. Together they lived honorably before God, careful in keeping to the ways of the commandments and enjoying a clear conscience before God. But they were childless because Elizabeth could never conceive, and now they were quite old."
Luke 1:5-7 MSG
Read Luke 1:5-25 for the full effect of a life live honourably before God.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."
Romans 12:1-2 MSG
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Pursued
Call me old fashioned, but I want to be pursued by my husband.
The thing is I've been pursued all my life.
By a man, who gave up His life for mine.
Most of my life I didn't realize it.
I didn't paid attention to the ways he showed His love, care and concern for me.
But now my eyes have been open.
I see Him in creation around me. In a hug from a close friend, a kind word, a song on the radio, a smile from a stranger.
I know He cares about me when things in life fall into place, when I unexpectedly receive the thing I have been needing, or when He answers my prayers and those deep longings in my heart.
Most of my life I have lived looking for an earthly man(or woman) to be my saviour, the one I can always count on and will be everything I need.
They always fail me in one way or another.
But Jesus, well, He has yet too, and I doubt He ever will. He has proven Himself faithful and patient, when I have and when I haven't deserved it.
He says He has a future beyond my wildest dreams planned out for me, and He had them planned before the earth was created.
To me that says, "Sarah, I've got you and I'll never let you go."
True security.
"Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son."
-Ephesians 1:4-6 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG
The thing is I've been pursued all my life.
By a man, who gave up His life for mine.
Most of my life I didn't realize it.
I didn't paid attention to the ways he showed His love, care and concern for me.
But now my eyes have been open.
I see Him in creation around me. In a hug from a close friend, a kind word, a song on the radio, a smile from a stranger.
I know He cares about me when things in life fall into place, when I unexpectedly receive the thing I have been needing, or when He answers my prayers and those deep longings in my heart.
Most of my life I have lived looking for an earthly man(or woman) to be my saviour, the one I can always count on and will be everything I need.
They always fail me in one way or another.
But Jesus, well, He has yet too, and I doubt He ever will. He has proven Himself faithful and patient, when I have and when I haven't deserved it.
He says He has a future beyond my wildest dreams planned out for me, and He had them planned before the earth was created.
To me that says, "Sarah, I've got you and I'll never let you go."
True security.
"Long before He laid down earth's foundations, He had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of His love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long, long ago He decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure He took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of His lavish gift-giving by the hand of His beloved Son."
-Ephesians 1:4-6 MSG
"God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
-Ephesians 3:20 MSG
"I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." God's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you."
-Jeremiah 29:11-14 MSG
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)