Where Are You, Lord??

Do you ever feel like God has abandoned you?

I know there are times, when we go through difficulties, that we don't understand why things are happening, but we have to remember God IS in control. We all ask "why?" on occasion, but we really need to take a closer look at the situation. Were we disobedient? Did we step out of God's Will? Did we make a bad decision? Or, is it just something that came our way? We must remember, too, that no matter what put us in the adversity, it was filtered through God - He knew BEFORE it happened, it was going to happen.

Keep in mind, everything that is allowed in our life, no matter how it happened or why, God's ways are not our ways.

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God knows the plans He has for us - not for disaster, but for a future and a hope. (HCSB) Everything we face will help us grow, learn to trust God, and become more like Him. He only wants His best for you (and me).

I've prayed for several years that God will do WHATEVER it takes to make me more like Him - Wow! He is doing just that. I will never be exactly like Him here on earth, but he is doing a "total makeover" on me. It has not been "total fun", but my prayer is being answered. I could say, "this is the worst year of my life", but I will not because it is really the best year - I am closer to God than I have been in many years.

So, the next time you (or I) ask, "Lord, where are you in this?", know that He is in our midst - Instead of asking, "why?", Thank Him for the work He is doing. Embrace it, Trust Him, Keep moving forward and Believe His Word - Philippians 1:6 'being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.' (NKJV)



Thanking God for always being near!

**This is an extention of my last post, "Spiritual Surgery" - This is what is on my heart right now - God IS working in and on all of us - WE have to let Him work, accept what He wants for us, believe His Word and trust Him during the bad times, too. He promises to never leave us nor forsake us - that means He goes through the difficulty with us.**

Spiritual Surgery ...

I am so happy that God answers my prayers. He may answer in a different way than what I think He should or will, but He will answer. When we really get serious and begin to pray, God will give exactly what we need-when we need it.

I've been praying for a a few years, now, for God to really do a work in me. I've prayed to be FILLED with His Spirit, to be transformed into what He wants me to be, and to have people see Him in me. All of these things, He is doing in me.

As I was out for a jog today, it was as though God was right there with me. He began speaking to me and telling me that He IS working in me and on me. It's almost like a wound, with infection. Sometimes, the wound has to be re-opened, in order for the infection to come out. As I continued on my jog, with tears running down my face, I felt as though my tears were the infection coming out. It seems like my tears are coming out more and more; not in a bad way - some are very happy tears. But, I know as they stream down, I am being cleansed, delivered, and transformed; and it's all because of His love. I don't know what God has in store for me but I know I am not the same person today that I was ten years ago, a year ago, a month ago, or a week ago!

Philippians 1:6 ... I am sure of this, for He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Each day I awake, I praise Him, Thank Him, Love him and ask Him to let others see Him in me.

I am growing each day - it's not happening overnight, but I know, it's happening. And, again, as I was jogging, the Lord spoke to me, letting me know He will never leave me nor forsake me; no matter how many valleys I must go through or how many wounds have to be re-opened. There is a good reason for it all.

Romans 8:28 ... We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God; those who are  called according to His purpose.

Keep your heart and mind open - Stay focused on Jesus - Let Him do some "Spiritual Surgery" on you today and know that He wants His BEST for you and me!

Letting His Love flow through .....

The Holy Spirit

When I began writing these "blogs", I was totally seeking God and felt like He was telling me to write. I had been praying that He would fill me with His Spirit and help me hunger & thirst for Him more than I ever have. I began blogging about circumstances and how God can work. I have enjoyed every writing. I've taken situations in my life, written about how God got me thru them, and the lessons I learned along the way. And you, the reader, may have never known how I was changing on the inside or how each blog was really speaking to me.

Some of my blogs have been, unknowingly, in a spirit of hurt, sadness, and bitterness;  I had great intentions and was thinking of others, while all along, these blogs were for me - God was doing a work in me and I didn't even realize it. I've since learned an amazing truth and am totally a changed person.

I don't know if somewhere along the way, my blogs have encouraged or lifted someone's spirits, but, I know they have kept me seeking Him, wanting more, and having received more - and I am thankful!! God will complete the work He starts in us (Phil 1:6). He is not close to being finished with me, tho'....I'm a work in progress! :-)

In Acts 2:1, God's Word tells us "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting." 

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

At the moment of Salvation, we "receive" the Holy Spirit; We can have "as little" or "as much" as we care to have. He (the Holy Spirit) wants to "indwell" us, but we must ask and be open to giving Him ALL of us. I personally have wanted more - to be filled and overflowing - and God has answered that prayer. He has filled me with the Holy Ghost and I pray I will be a funnel, pouring out the spirit of love - straight from the Holy Spirit - to everyone I meet.

Romans 5:5 "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us"

I am on a great journey and look forward to each day, to see what God has in store for me. My prayer, for you, is that you will seek Him with all of your heart and mind, being open to whatever His plans are, for you. You may be surprised where He takes you!

Every journey begins with a step ..........

The Rock!

I once heard someone say: 

"Sometimes we hit rock bottom so we will discover that God is the "Rock" at the bottom"

This is so true, and so close to home, at the moment! Sometimes it takes "giving it all up" or "losing it all", to get us positioned exactly as God wants us.......and He IS our "Rock". As I have said many times, "when I'm at the end of my rope, I must remember WHO is holding the other end" - my Lord & Savior! So whether you are hanging onto the rope or you let go and hit rock bottom, know that God is ALL you need. He will never leave you nor forsake you --- this, I know!

Psalm 94:22  But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 62:7  In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psalm 31:3  For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.

Psalm 18:2  The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will tust; my buckler and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Stand on the "Rock" and you will stand forever........


All Bible verses from King James Version

"Luck" or "Love"

Well, it's March and all the little 4-leaf clovers are everywhere. I've been thinking about the 4-leaf clover, for a few days; and then heard a preacher mention it in a message, so I thought about it for a while.

People tend to think it is "lucky"; rightly so, after reading some facts about the clover. I found it to be very interesting. The 4 leaves actually stand for "faith", "hope", "love", and "luck". So, why did the focus stay on the "luck" leaf, why not any one of the others.....well, I don't know, but, Christians should not live by "luck"; we should all have "faith". Rarely, if ever, do I wish someone "luck". I always try to encourage them with "it will turn out the way the Lord has planned". Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that "He knows the plans He has for us"........and great plans they are, IF we follow Him!

So, back to the 4-leaf clover.......The Shamrock, which has 3 leaves, actually does represent the Trinity:

1 leaf = The Father
1 leaf = The Son
1 leaf = The Holy Spirit

When the 4th leaf appears, it symbolizes = God's Grace, to which some added "luck"

If it will help, I will collect as many 4 leaf clovers as I can find, because I want ALL of Him.........But, we all know, it's not in the clover, but when we give our life over to God and trust in the Holy Trinity - we can't go wrong! Things may not always be the way we want them, but trust Him and know things are the way He wants them - for our good, I might add! And, all we have to do is ask, and He is with us! We don't have to carry around a bunch of clovers!

Since "love", in the facts I read, does signify one of the leaves.......I think from now on, when people say, "wish me luck" - I will just respond with "God's Love to ya'", because if we also label each leaf, as stated above, that clover is filled with LOVE surrounding you and me! And, God's Word does tell us, "God IS love".

Here's wishing you the presence of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.......... And, may God's Love be with you, always!

Facts read at www.fourleafclover.com and www.lollysmith.com