Trust!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

Seeking, trusting, and submitting this morning! All for YOUR glory, precious Father!! 

Tired But Blessed!

There are some days when I'm totally exhausted (ok, there are MANY days, Ha!). Work in the mornings, homeschool in the afternoon, laundry, meals, etc, with a husband who is out of town (and sometimes the country) quite frequently.  There are plenty of moments when I feel like I'm failing miserably at everything and wonder what God was thinking when He called ME to these tasks (yes, that has come out of my mouth). But the reality is that it's not up to me to question what God has called me to but to humbly seek His throne for guidance and direction for the tasks at hand. This is my season of life and I'm grateful for it! No, it doesn't all make sense to me and I don't have it all figured out. He has placed these opportunities before me and in obedience, I follow. Opportunities of directing an amazing preschool full of incredible children AND homeschooling the absolute BEST 3 children in the world who so happen to also call me "mom". The work is hard and I feel very inadequate most days. But God, in His very gracious way, provides such sweet moments of encouragement along the journey to remind me of his faithfulness. Sweet moments such as these today:

Sweet moments of preschool parents beaming at their child's creations as they walk through the school Art Fair. Sweet moments of staff jumping in for each other to get the job done. Sweet moments of my son telling me I'm his favorite teacher and he loves doing school with me even through my fear that I don't know what I'm doing. Sweet moments of walking in my daughter's room to find about 100 verses of scripture taped all over her walls and her Bible opened for study after praying that my children understand how important the Word of God is. Sweet moments of coming home to find my teenage son had tutored his little brother through his English work, finished his own school work, and gotten both his siblings to where they needed to be without my prompting after praying that he, on the brink of graduation, will be ready for more independence and leadership. Sweet reminders from my hubby, through text messages, of his love for me when he is out of town.

You see, these are just a few of the sweet reminders God gave me today! Even later as I was rehearsing a song for an event Saturday morning, God used the words of this song that I was going to minister with to actually minister to me right where I was. That is the greatness of my God! Here are the lyrics:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Almighty, infinite Father

Faithfully loving Your own

Here in our weakness You find us

Falling before Your throne

Oh, we're falling before Your throne

You are the One that we praise

You are the One we adore

You give the healing and grace

Our hearts always hunger for

Oh, our hearts always hunger for

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These are all reminders that He is there, always, and He loves me. It may be more than I can handle but in my weakness, His strength is where I shall dwell. When I fall on my face (and trust me there are plenty of those times), He will pick me up, gently brush me off, and get me going again. And in those times, He will sweetly remind me of His calling on my life....in this season....for HIS purpose...to honor and glorify HIM through it ALL. He doesn't call the equipped, but he does equip the called and for that I am eternally grateful!  O, precious grace!

Today, I'm tired. Lol! But even more so....I am thankful and I am blessed! Hallelujah!

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me."

Psalms 51:10 (NKJV)

Abundant Life!

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

John 10:7-10 (NIV)

Praising God that He is the Gate through which I was saved! 

Now to get this day started and live in that full and abundant life He promises!! All for YOU, precious Savior!!

Rejoice Always

"Rejoice always!" 1 Thessalonians 5:16

#childrenoftheday

Happy Spring!

Well, spring has officially sprung and I don't think there has been one around here that was met with more open arms than this one. It was one crazy winter across our country and for us here in the coastal area, it was definitely one we weren't accustomed to. But nonetheless, spring did arrive and it was a beautiful day here in the Wilmington area!

I love springtime because of all the beautiful flowers blooming and green grass appearing. The brown and dead of winter gives way to the bright and colorful of spring!

As I sat during my quiet time thinking of all the beautiful weather we will be having and all the colors of spring we are about to enjoy, there were some deeper questions mulling around in my soul. Questions, I need to answer in a heavenly perspective instead of my earthly mindset. Heart questions that go to the feet of my Savior!

As flowers begin to bloom and new growth appears around creation, my soul longs for God to bring about new growth in me. I desire for God to take away the old, brown, dry, and dead of winter and do a new work in my life. I want to bloom right where He has planted me. Only He can truly bring about new growth in me. But I need to prepare my soil for this new growth. I need to till this soil by repenting daily of sins and turning from them. I need to water this soil by drinking from the Living Water and feasting on God's Word as seeds are planted. Then, as the soil is carefully nourished and the Son shines down, buds of new growth will take place. Buds that will bloom and grow into a beautiful array of colors with a fragrance that is a pleasing aroma to my Savior and declares His glory all around! That is my desire! Spring in my soul!

Oh, precious Father, that is my desire! Grow me into the woman you want me to be. May my life bloom and grow into a beautiful array of colorful flowers whose fragrance is pleasing to YOU! Lord, may others not see me, but see YOU in me and let the aroma draw them into YOUR loving arms as they seek new growth from YOU. Hallelujah!

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

Psalms 51:7 (NLT)

"Let us strive to know the Lord. His appearance is as sure as the dawn. He will come to us like the rain, like the spring showers that water the land."

Hosea 6:3 (HCSB)

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)

Pride

"Don't let pride or timidity come between you and the presence of God." - Beth Moore

#childrenoftheday

Happy Monday & Happy St. Patrick's Day

Good morning and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today is the day you are supposed to wear green in honor of St. Patrick. Maybe you've woken up and you yourself are green from nausea because the weekend is over and it's Monday all over again. Lol! Well, look on the positive....now you don't have to find something green to wear because the nausea has taken care of that for you. Ha!

St. Patrick was born in Britain in the 1600s and at the age of 16, was taken captive by Irish raiders and held enslaved for 6 years. It was during that time that he found the Lord. After he escaped from captivity, Patrick went home and became a priest and years later, felt God leading him back to Ireland as a missionary to share the gospel to the Irish people. As traditions states, St. Patrick would use the shamrock, with its 3 leaves, to explain the Trinity to those he shared the gospel with.

Now, today, St. Patricks Day is celebrated world-wide and has taken on quite the contrast to what St. Patrick taught. Celebrations are filled with beer-drinking, stories of leprechauns and rainbows with pots of gold at the end of them, big parades, and people decked out in green from head-to-toe. But I would like to look at what Patrick saw after he found the Lord. He saw a need to reach others with the gospel. The same people that held him captive are the very ones he felt called to reach. What an amazing testimony!

Today, as we don our green apparel and set out for our busy day, let's focus our attention to sharing the gospel to a lost and dying world. Let's renew our commitment to God for the love He gave and continues to give us. Let's share that love with those around us. Can you imagine how much better our Monday will be if we shared that incredible love with someone who needs to hear it?

Oh, precious Lord, today is ALL about YOU! The love you pour into me daily is what I need to share with those around me. Let them see YOU through me today. Let me be the vessel used in your glorious kingdom today as others come to know YOU!

"There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:12 (NLT)

And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone."

Mark 16:15 (NLT)

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday! We made it to the last workday of the week! Woohoo! Now, let's make the most of today. Remember our boss is the Lord, ultimately, so let's go to work today and honor our God. Let's give it our all and not slack off just because our eye is on the weekend! We WILL finish strong and give God the glory!

"Servants, do what you’re told by your earthly masters. And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you’ll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ." 

Colossians 3:22-24 (MSG)

Children of the Day

I love the Word! Praying expectantly in preparation of this new study on 1 & 2 Thessalonians!

#childrenoftheday

A Fresh Word

A fresh word this morning!!

"For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return there without saturating the earth and making it germinate and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."

Isaiah 55:10-12 (HCSB)

Hallelujah!

Children of the Day ~ Beth Moore

New Bible study coming from Beth Moore in May entitled "Children of the Day". This is the first of many updates I'll be sharing over the next couple of months as our team prepares for the launch. Ladies, get ready! This is going to be an awesome study of 1 & 2 Thessalonians!! Pray!! 

P.S. I will be facilitating this study this summer! 

#childrenoftheday

Receive it internally. Express it externally.

Love this passage from my studies this week and would like to share it with you!

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” 

Luke 8:21 (NIV)

~ Based on Luke 8:21, our kinship to Jesus Christ is directly revealed through what we do with the Word of God. What you are doing right now-studying God's Word-is not just a good idea. It is the very warmth and vitality of the family bloodline-proof that we are family to Jesus Christ. 

Christ's priority is not how much we study the Word, enjoy attending Bible study, discuss Scripture in small groups, or finish our homework. His priority is for us to hear it and do it. Receive it internally. Express it externally. Both the verb tenses reflected in the words "hear" and "do" in Luke 8:21 indicate continuous or repeated action. ~ Beth Moore, "Jesus the One and Only"

Today, let's be doers of the Word, not simply hearers. Let's receive it internally and express it externally.

"But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it."

James 1:22-25 (NLT)

Monday Encouragement

Happy Monday!

As you wake up and wipe the extreme sleepiness out of your eyes this morning, remember that you are dearly loved and a masterpiece created by Almighty God! You are alive for a divine purpose today so don't waste it on complaining and grumbling. Go about your day in victory because opportunities are all around you to be the blessing. Speak God's praises and lift His name on high because He is so worthy. Commit this day to HIM and let HIS glory shine! 

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV)

"Do everything without grumbling or arguing,"

Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you."

Psalms 37:5 (NLT)

Go Forth in Victory!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 (NIV)

Wow! Can I get an "Amen" this morning?

O, weary soul, take comfort in the words of our Lord this morning! Take some time, today, and read through these chapters in John where Jesus is speaking with his disciples. You will be blessed and encouraged! My friend, HE has got everything under control! Put your faith in HIM! Put your trust in HIM! Lay down your burdens at HIS feet and surrender them ALL to HIM! 

Go forth in victory today! Our GOD is greater! Hallelujah!

New Bible Study Coming!!!

I am so honored and excited to have been selected to be a part of the launch team for Beth Moore's newest Bible study, "Children Of The Day", based on 1 & 2 Thessalonians! This long-awaited study will be released in May and over the next couple of months, I will be posting more information about it. Stay tuned and stay in prayer! 

I cannot wait to see what God has in store!!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday!

Yes, I really did put those two words together and they are not an oxymoron as you may think. Lol! Remember, if you are reading this post then you are alive and breathing so there is something to be happy about!

Today our weather here in Wilmington will get to about 70 degrees and then start deteriorating to freezing temps by midnight. Absolutely crazy! But if you've lived around here long enough, you know we can have several different seasons all rolled into one week. Ha!

Let's choose to be "uplifters" today! Let's choose to focus on the absolutely amazing God that we serve instead of focusing on the cold temperatures that will blow in. This too shall pass!

When our focus is God-centered, we are a pleasing aroma to our Father but when our focus is "me-centered" our aroma is anything but pleasing and can be downright putrid. I want my life to honor and glorify my Father and that can only be done when I get out of the way and let HIS glory shine!

Today, let's radiate the beauty and glory of our Father. Let's speak HIS praises, shine HIS light, tell of HIS wonders, and have hearts of gratitude for ALL HE has done! Rain, sleet, snow or shine.....ALL FOR YOU MY FATHER!!

"Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God."

Psalms 95:1-7 (NLT)