With Thankful Hearts - Philippians 4:6

Philippians 4:6 -- “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

This is, hands down, the busiest season of the year for me. I tend to get overwhelmed by fall activities, visiting family, cooking lots of food, planning for Christmas on top of all the other daily to-do lists. I find when I begin to get stressed out by all of these extra things on my mind, I lose focus on God and the enemy swoops in to tell me I can’t get all or sometimes any of it done.

It happens every year to some degree, but this year it is hitting me very hard. The enemy is whispering in my ear that I’m not good enough and that everything I am trying to for my friends and family and to uplift the Lord, just isn't worth it. However, God tells us, “Don’t worry about anything” and to “pray about everything” and to “thank Him for all he has done.”

I really stopped to think about this verse on night when I felt low and that none of my efforts seemed worthwhile and the Lord spoke to my heart. He impressed on me that it wasn't about getting everything done or pleasing everyone around me, it was about being thankful for what and who I have in my life. More importantly that I don’t have to worry about all the details because God is in control and He will give me the strength I need to complete each task when His timing is right for it.

Instead of focusing on all the things I have to do and people I have to see (and cook for,) I need to start bringing my focus back to God. I need to praise Him for everything He has provided in the last year. I need to cherish the moments with my family and friends instead of worrying about how much food to cook. I need give all my worries to God and rely on Him. I need to be thankful for the big things and for the little things that God has done in my life.

“With Thankful Hearts,” I devote the next two weeks before thanksgiving to giving thanks to the Lord. I want to put Him back into perspective and slow down my mind and my heart so I can hear Him speaking to me even as my days get busier, my to-do lists get longer and the distractions of the world can overwhelm me.

I want to give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever.

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God Is With You - Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 -- "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

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God does not call the great and powerful to do His work - He calls the weak and humble.

Noah was a drunkard (Genesis 9:21).
Moses had a stuttering problem (Exodus 4:10).
Gideon was hiding in a winepress (Judges 6:11).
David was a young shepherd boy (1 Samuel 17:14).

None of these men considered themselves great when God called them, and yet we still remember their names.

God calls us to be strong and courageous. He encourages us to leave our fear behind. But most importantly, He is always with us.

He does not call us to a task and then steps back to watch us fail. He walks with us daily to guide us in His ways and protect us on our journey.

God did not just tell Noah to build an ark, but provided him with detailed instructions and helped him handle his critics (Genesis 6:9-22).

God did not let Moses struggle or stumble, He provided him a voice in his brother Aaron and plenty of miracles to back up his claim to be serving the true God (Exodus 4:11-17).

God did not leave Gideon in a winepress, but pulled him out calling him a "mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12) and stood with Gideon as his enemies were defeated (Judges 7:1-25).

God did not watch as His people were captured, but stood behind David as he slayed Goliath (1 Samuel 17:32-51) paving his way to become King of Israel. Despite his sins, God rewards David's faith by calling him "a man after my own heart" (Acts 13:22).

We are not alone in our feelings of inadequacy. We are not alone in our tasks. God calls us and He stands by us, just as He did with the many great men and women of faith before us.

  

A Confident Heart: Week 5 - A Place of Surrender

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When I went to college, I never expected to get married as soon as I graduated. I expected to get my degree and then a masters and maybe even a doctorate. I wanted to have a good career and be a confident, independent woman.

Well, God had other plans for me. I did graduate college with a B.A. in English from Clemson University. I was so excited about entering into the work field, but it never really happened. I had lots of experience for someone right out of college with internships and two years of paid journalist experience under my belt. However, when I graduated I moved and lost many of my previous connections and the result was no steady job, no solid career, and it seemed, no confident or independent woman.

I do not have any regrets. I still love writing and journalism, which I use whenever I can. This is why I love blogging so much. I married a wonderful man the fall after I graduated and I could not be more joyful or thankful for him or life we have built together. When we had my daughter, I was able to stay home with her and keep the house and spend lots of time with her. These are especially days that I wouldn't trade for anything. I believe she is who is because of the decisions that lead up to these days. I believe our family is stronger because of surrendering to God's direction even when I didn't understand it.

I'm not entirely sure where God will place us next. I thought I would have a houseful of kids by now, but God had other plans. I thought I should be looking to go back to work, but God seems to have other plans. I'm not sure what God has planned, but I know it will be great. I thought my life would be completely different than it is right now, however, God has blessed me by knowing me better than I know myself. I love where God has brought me and I am excited to see where He will take me from here.

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James 4:7 -- "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

When you surrender yourself to God and walk in His plan for you, you can accomplish great things through His strength and guidance. When we try to walk our path, it can lead to disaster. I thought I wouldn't be confident or independent without a career, but I have so much more than that. I have love, joy, peace, confidence and security in my Lord. I am dependent on Him and rely on Him to get me through every day.

Resist those who tell you that without a career you are not influential. That is the enemy speaking, trying to lead you away from God and the peace He provides. I will never impact the world more than through my daughter and through my relationships with others.

I do not need independence because I can do nothing. But I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13). I need dependence on my God who is stronger than anything this world can bring against me.

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I do not find my confidence in my actions, my accomplishments, my failures or what others say about me. I find my confidence from my God who says that I am uniquely made a for great purpose (Jeremiah 29:11). I can be confident about who I am and what I can do because God guards and guides me in His purpose for me, to grant me life and life abundantly.

It is from a place of surrender that we can fully live in the purpose God promises for our lives.

 

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This inspiration comes from a 

Bible study I am doing through 

Proverbs 31 Ministries on 

"A Confident Heart" 

by Renee Swope.

Be Strong and Do Not Fear - Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 -- "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

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These are powerful words. Be strong. Be courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. These are the words of a God who loves you. Who wants to protect you. Who wants to guide you. Who wants to walk beside you through all of your troubles if you will only reach out to Him and ask.

I am not strong. I am weak. I am often tempted by sin. I am selfish. I am human. But, I serve a God who is stronger than any sin or any temptation. I serve a God who is generous and merciful.

I serve a God who gives me strength. I serve a God who finds courage in my timidity. With my God, I do not have to be afraid because I know He will stand up for me. I will not be discouraged because my God has perfect timing and works all things for good.

  

Freedom to Serve - Galatians 5:13

Galatians 5:13 -- "For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love."

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Through Jesus, we are free!

John 8:36 -- "So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free."

Jesus has the power to free us from our bondage and our sin. When we give our lives over to Jesus, He works in us helping us to become free. Jesus gives us the strength to overcome our sin, our anxieties and our bad habits.

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

However, we are not supposed to keep this freedom for ourselves, we are to share it with others. We are not to use our freedom for selfish purposes, but to help others.

Matthew 22:37-39 -- "Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Jesus gave us two commandments to follow - love God and love you neighbor. You neighbor includes everyone you see, meet or interact with throughout your days.

Jesus gave us freedom, but He also gave us even more than that -- He gave us purpose. He wants us to help others with whatever they need. We can help by providing meals, fixing things around the house, give an encouraging word or even just offering a hug or a smile. God wants to show His love to all His creation. He wants us to let Him shine through us into the world around us.

God gives us the choice with how to use our freedom, but He wants us to give it freely so that He may give us strength and life.

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