Embrace the Impossible

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Chuck Swindoll

I’m a planner. I like to prepare for things far in advance and I like to know that all my bases are covered. Unfortunately for me, life doesn’t always play the game the way I want it to. I face unexpected situations, and feel completely unsure of how to handle them or how to move forward. If you find yourself facing the impossible today, remember that we are children of God. He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:60). He has assured us that whatever we face, we are not alone, and that He will work all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Spend time immersed in His word through scriptures, and allow Him to guide you and help you through these circumstances. Ask Him to give you wisdom, discernment, and understanding. Look for ways that you can grow and allow Him to mold you through this situation. When we put our hope and trust in God, even in the most confusing or difficult times, we can weather any storm. God will take your impossible situation and make it new. He will provide in ways that you could not have expected. Lean into Him today.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” Matthew 19:26

Journey on!

Keep Growing

Whether you have grown up in church your entire life or have only been a Christian a short while, it is likely that at some point you will face spiritual ruts. These happen when you forget about connecting with God daily and get depleted. It happens to all of us- we get busy, or caught up in life, and forget to take time to pray and read God's word. Or we just feel comfortable where we are and don't look for ways to grow because we know growth can be difficult. But God has so much in store for our lives if we would stay connected to Him and pay attention to how He is growing us spiritually! And even though it can be hard sometimes, God blesses us so much when we run toward Him. What can you do this week to grow in wisdom and truth? 

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

Journey on! 

Daily Renewal

“I’m the kind of tired that sleep can’t fix.” – Unknown

I love this quote because I’ve felt this all too often…when life has hurried me along, thrown me curve balls, torn down my expectations, and thrashed against the peace within my soul. I could try to sleep it off because I probably haven’t had a full 8 hours in some time, but I know that the unrest inside me can’t be quelled by a mere soft place to lay my head.

This beautiful, turbulent life would overwhelm us if it weren’t for the strong, nurturing, still presence of a mighty God. When we get wrapped up in the chaos that surrounds us, we forget that He is right there, ready to embrace us and give us peace. But when we constantly drink from the well, soak up His life-giving words, and dwell in His perfect presence, then we are truly refreshed and energized. Even when we face the physical trials of our day-to-day, if we run towards God, we will be renewed spiritually by His love!

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Journey on!

He is Risen

"Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there."– Clarence W. Hall

At this time of year, we meditate on the painful beauty of Christ's death and resurrection. Just as all that was dead in winter springs to life in this season, our Lord was raised from the dead and brought back to life. Jesus bore all our sins on the cross and came back victorious over death, giving us the incredible blessing of eternal life with Him. His resurrection reminds us that God is over all things, and that nothing is impossible with Him. Accept Him today and watch the transformation He can do in your life, not just after death, but right here, right now! He makes everything new, and beauty from ashes. Accept His gift of life today.

"He is not here;he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6  

Journey on! 

Don't Give Up

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again." 2 Cor 1:8-10

When I read this letter Paul wrote, it reminds me that in the midst of all the stress I am facing, God is my strength! Sometimes the pressures of life seem too much, and I find myself thinking, "I can't do all of this!" But the fact is, I can do everything through the Lord..and when I fully rely on God, I recognize which things are most important and which things I need to take off of my plate. Just by laying it all down at His feet, I find peace, discernment, wisdom, and strength to move forward. Life doesn't feel so overwhelming when I rely on God instead of my own power. What can you lay at His feet today? 

Journey on!

The Peace of Grace

The Lord loves you so very much! He wants you to rest in Him. It breaks my heart to see people wrestling with guilt and fear about their salvation. They worry and wonder, "Am I doing enough? Am I good enough? I've messed up too much this week, how can God forgive me?" If you find yourself questioning your worth, remember that is deception from Satan himself. Your God loves you dearly and sent His son to die for your sins! Through Him, you are truly forgiven! Yes, we should all strive to live like Christ and honor God, but we should do that because He is our father and knows what is best for our lives...not to prove we are "good enough" to go to heaven. The Lord has saved you if you have committed to loving Him. Don't let worry and doubt cloud the peace that comes with receiving grace from God! Rest in God's promises and know that you are worthy because He is in your heart! 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Eph 2:8-9

Journey on!

Remember Kindness

In our daily rush to accomplish our to-do lists, we may not realize the way we come across to others. Sometimes our own stresses lead us to snap at others in the office. We may not take the time to really stop what we are doing to listen to our children tell us about their day. Maybe you've found yourself yelling at someone simply because you are under pressure. We need to take time in our day to pause and reflect on the things that are most important. While many worldly things seem pressing, there is always time to be kind. We won't get our assignments completed any faster by attacking those around us. We won't keep our friendships if we continue to neglect them because we are too busy. In the midst of your busy week, be conscious of others. Have self-control to respond kindly even when you are stressed. Be intentional to really listen to those you love. Remember kindness! 

Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV) / Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.  

Journey on!

New Beginnings

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).  

Spring always brings this bible verse to my mind. It is time when the earth, which has been cold and dead all winter, brings forth new life. Beautiful plants and flowers shoot up from the ground. Baby animals are born. It is a time of joy, sunshine, and new beginnings. It always reminds me of the beautiful transformation we have in Christ Jesus. Though we have sinned and made a lot of mistakes in our lives, Jesus has washed all of them away and tells us that we are made completely new in Him! If you feel like you have been in a spiritual slump, go to to the Lord. Let Him renew and refresh your spirit. Let Him plant new and beautiful things in your life and watch as they grow in you. Spend time in His presence this week and let His light shine in your life. 

Journey on!

Go Forward

In life there are seasons of waiting and watching for what God is going to do next. Sometimes we have to be still to find direction. But other times, when God places something on our hearts, we have to take action and move forward. If you have been praying about something that God has put on your heart, don’t let fear get in the way! We always need to seek confirmation that what we are running after is of the Lord, but through reading scripture, praying, and consulting wise counsel we can have confidence in what we need to do going forward. And if we run after something and God closes the door, we have our answer that way, too. Don’t stay in your own comfort zone if there are big things God wants to do in your life. Be bold in faith and chase after God wherever He is leading you. Big things happen when we allow God to lead us into places we never expected to be. Don’t let your perceptions of how your life should go get in the way of seeing God’s bigger plan. What is God speaking to heart right now?

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

Journey on!

New Life

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 1 Corinthians 

Regret is a difficult thing, and we've all done things in our past we wish we could erase. While we can't go back and do it over, God offers us grace and mercy. He offers us a chance to be forgiven, to move forward, to let go of guilt and shame and become new creations in Him. If you are holding onto shame or regret in your life, lay it at His feet. Ask for His forgiveness and ask for His healing so that you can learn to let it go. The past is useful for learning, but not meant to punish us. We are God's children, and we can live in the peace and joy of His salvation through Jesus Christ. Accept freedom in Him!

Journey on!  

Keep Only the Best

Every year when I start spring cleaning, I am surprised (and slightly horrified) with how much stuff we have managed to accumulate in our house. It piles up and doesn't get thrown away, so the closets and drawers become sinkholes for random junk. When I take the time to throw out all the extra, all the broken, old things, it is amazing how refreshed I feel. We donate things that might still be useful and toss all the rest, leaving behind what is good, clean, useful...the things that bring us joy and give us life. Our souls require the same level of care- sometimes we need to clean out things in our lives that are destructive, people who are toxic, habits that we need to quit. God says He will renew and restore us when we come to Him! Take some time this week to do a little spring cleaning in your spiritual life. Clean all the negativity out so that you can make more room for what is good, noble, beautiful, and pure. 

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24

Journey on! 

Boldness in Faith

"You must never be fearful about what you are doing if it is right." Rosa Parks

When my children and I study black history month every year, I am reminded and in awe of the strength, boldness, and bravery of the black men and women who have worked and fought so hard for equal rights in America. Our nation is one that stands for freedom, and yet it doesn't always give that freedom as equally as it should. While I have not experienced these prejudices myself and could never speak from that experience, I can deeply appreciate and admire these leaders who have taken a stand even when it meant a threat to their lives.

As a Christian, I want to try to live by that same conviction- that I am going to stand up for what I believe is right, help others in need, take a stand when I see injustice, and teach my children the value of honor and respect. Let us learn from great civil rights leaders to be bold in our faith and proactive in making a difference in this world for the glory of God.

"Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause." Isaiah 1:7

Journey on!

Peace in Sorrow

"Why, my soul, are you downcast?
    Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
    for I will yet praise him,
    my Savior and my God." Psalm 43:5

When we go through times of great loss, it can be difficult to see God through the pain. If you are in this place of sorrow right now, think back to all the many times God has blessed your life. Think about times past when you faced hard situations and the Lord brought you through. As in those days, the Lord is still ever and always by your side. He cares deeply for you and His heart hurts with yours. Even if you can't feel it right now, pray to God in your sorrow. Pour out your heart and ask Him to surround you with His love. He loves you dearly and will walk with you through your grief no matter how long it takes. 

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Journey on! 

Finding Direction

One of the most difficult things about faith to me is knowing how to hear from God when I am at a crossroads in my life. The Bible tells us to seek the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. It also says that when we knock, the door shall be opened to us. So why is it so difficult to trust in God when we can't clearly see which path to take? I suspect it has to do with my need to control things. I want God to tell me what to do in order to get what I want, how and when I want it. And that is NOT the same thing as trusting in Him! Trusting in Him means praying, seeking, listening, and being still. It means having peace when things don't go how I want them to because I completely trust that God knows what is best for my life. It's turning everything over to Him and saying, God, THY will be done. Are you struggling to find direction today? Seek Him with all your heart and be prepared to submit to His will for your life, knowing that He has so much more planned for you than you could ever dream or imagine!

Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."  

Journey on!