That Tricky Word: Trust
29 “But I said to you, ‘Don’t be shocked or afraid of them! 30 The Lord your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt. 31 And you saw how the Lord your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place 32 “But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, 33 who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day. Deuteronomy 1: 29-46 (NLT)
Trust, according to the Illustrated Bible Dictionary, means to put one’s confidence in a person or thing. God’s name and His Word are worthy of our trust (Ps. 33: 21; 119: 42). Christ warned that humans may deceive and be unworthy of trust (Matt. 10: 17-21), but we may place ultimate trust and confidence in Him (John 6: 35-37).
What a wonderful definition and yet so magnificently true. However, why is trust so hard for us women? Whether you were hurt long ago or two days ago, trust doesn’t come by so easily. We push away people including God. God is so amazing, he loves you more than anything, and He wants nothing more than your trust.
A lot of times, we go on with our life as if we need no one else, completly trusting that we can do it all on our own. We refuse to see what God can and will do for us and like the Israelites we will end up metaphorically walking in circles in the desert for years. If only, we could realize what our Lord is doing for us and what He is capable doing for us.
We could learn a few lessons in trusting in God from Elizabeth and Mary in the first chapter of Luke. While Elizabeth’s husband, Zechariah, questioned Gabriel’s message of the future birth of their son, John the Baptist, Elizabeth, who was older, was just grateful. As in Luke 1: 25 says, “How kind the Lord is!” she exclaimed. “He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!” A lot of women would respond so differently. “What? Hey God, do you realize how old I am? Childbirth is hard enough in your 20s and 30s.” In Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy, Mary is visited by Gabriel who tells her, a virgin, that she will carry the “Son of the Most High,” and she will name him Jesus. Instead of questioning Gabriel, her reply is “I am the Lord’s servant and I am willing to accept whatever he wants.” (Luke 1:38) Wow! Talk about trusting in God’s plan for her future.
Take these lessons to heart, Mary and Elizabeth and many other women of the Bible were truly blessed by trusting in Him and following His plan for their life. Trust in your Creator, and let Him bless you.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3: 5-6
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Celebrate With Joy
Just wanted to share one of my devotionals from yesterday, enjoy (it's from www.christianwomentoday.com):
Published by TruthMedia on December 19, 2007 in Devotional and Devotional For Women.
by Suzanne Benner
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11).
Are you experiencing great joy?
Does it feel like joy has leaked away, bit by bit, by busyness? Or been drained out, like your bank account, by commercialism?
We need to remember that joy isn’t a fleeting emotion or something you have to conjure up out of nothing. It isn’t a denial of your circumstances or a warm feeling that arises when you get what you want.
Instead, like the Holy Spirit, joy comes from God. He is the one who fills us with joy. The angels’ announcement to the shepherds was simply this: You no longer need to be separated from God; He has sent Jesus, the one who will save you from your sins and reconcile you to God.
That is the Good News. That is what fills us with joy.
Therefore this Christmas, we can celebrate with joy – a joy that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven.
Regardless of the pain, conflict or distress we are experiencing, the deep sense of peace and assurance can be ours, when we celebrate the truth that Jesus’ birth is a time of remembering God’s plan to redeem us.
May these words be true in your life:“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8, 9).
Published by TruthMedia on December 19, 2007 in Devotional and Devotional For Women.
by Suzanne Benner
“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11).
Are you experiencing great joy?
Does it feel like joy has leaked away, bit by bit, by busyness? Or been drained out, like your bank account, by commercialism?
We need to remember that joy isn’t a fleeting emotion or something you have to conjure up out of nothing. It isn’t a denial of your circumstances or a warm feeling that arises when you get what you want.
Instead, like the Holy Spirit, joy comes from God. He is the one who fills us with joy. The angels’ announcement to the shepherds was simply this: You no longer need to be separated from God; He has sent Jesus, the one who will save you from your sins and reconcile you to God.
That is the Good News. That is what fills us with joy.
Therefore this Christmas, we can celebrate with joy – a joy that comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven.
Regardless of the pain, conflict or distress we are experiencing, the deep sense of peace and assurance can be ours, when we celebrate the truth that Jesus’ birth is a time of remembering God’s plan to redeem us.
May these words be true in your life:“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8, 9).
Be STILL and know that I am God
Continued tests ensue, God wants to make sure that I know to rely on Him in everything not just the big things. Work just does not seem to move quite as smoothly as when it does when I ask for my daily dose of Grace. Yes, I cannot do it all on my own, which is why Psalm 46:10 seems to be becoming my theme verse. How amazing and plentiful my day is with His abundant Grace. When I fully rely on Him, I'm a blissfully happy chicka! When I don't, I have Mondays... oh I almost ran down the hallway to the bathroom to cry in supreme frustration on Tuesday (yes not quite Monday). It was not a good day, amazingly enough it wasn't until 4 pm, that I realized what I had forgotten... God. Hello!? You read, a devotional every morning, girl, how'd you forget? The rest of the week has been a delight. How fulfilled I feel, and how grateful I am to have a job that I truly enjoy and feel like I am truly using my God given skills. Reliance on Him is key and this a lesson I need drilled in my head. God is truly not letting me forget this!
Monday, December 17, 2007
Something to Ponder
By Jill Briscoe:
"He wants to walk with you and bear you burdens. Seek His steadying arm moment by moment and He will draw you closer to Him. Even if your well of tears seems to never run dry, continue to walk in the light of God’s presence and you will make it through the river of grief to the other side. If you can’t see ahead, it’s okay. God will not only provide enough light for your next step, He will also enable you to take it."
"He wants to walk with you and bear you burdens. Seek His steadying arm moment by moment and He will draw you closer to Him. Even if your well of tears seems to never run dry, continue to walk in the light of God’s presence and you will make it through the river of grief to the other side. If you can’t see ahead, it’s okay. God will not only provide enough light for your next step, He will also enable you to take it."
The begining phases
First and for most, thanks to God, for, well everything. He sent Kerry to our church, what a wonderful servant she is! After four years of her house being on the market, it sold. We are all very sad to see her go. She was a true blessing!
So I am pretty excited to have this opportunity to be more involved with the Women's Ministries at church. Although it's super scary. I am very used to leaning on strong and smart women who have been leading for years and have loads of knowledge (i.e. Kerry!). Of course, apparently God, thinks I am ready and it is time to move into new chapter of maturity and opportunites. So exciting! I know God has wonderful things planned.
Julie and I got together Saturday after hearing about Kerry leaving on Saturday, December 15, 2007, to discuss plans, etc. We chatted for 3 hours at Caribou Coffee! We're both very excited and can definitely feel God moving. We discussed current ministries, bible study and Expresso. And an additional ministry, which we have not named yet, so we are naming it "the fun ministry" for the time being. We'll be meeting every Saturday for the next couple of months to get things put together.
So I am pretty excited to have this opportunity to be more involved with the Women's Ministries at church. Although it's super scary. I am very used to leaning on strong and smart women who have been leading for years and have loads of knowledge (i.e. Kerry!). Of course, apparently God, thinks I am ready and it is time to move into new chapter of maturity and opportunites. So exciting! I know God has wonderful things planned.
Julie and I got together Saturday after hearing about Kerry leaving on Saturday, December 15, 2007, to discuss plans, etc. We chatted for 3 hours at Caribou Coffee! We're both very excited and can definitely feel God moving. We discussed current ministries, bible study and Expresso. And an additional ministry, which we have not named yet, so we are naming it "the fun ministry" for the time being. We'll be meeting every Saturday for the next couple of months to get things put together.
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