Happy New Year.....Or Is It?

YES, IT IS !!!

2013 has come and gone! Along the way there have been good times and bad; nothing, though, can compare to the love that I've felt from God. I'm sure many of you can say the same.

Through every difficulty, He held me close, giving me exactly what I needed. Was it financial help? Was it Spiritual help? Was it an encouraging word from a friend? Was it a ray of sunshine on a seemingly cloudy day? Was it a touch from Him?.....Yes, it was all of those things....In His timing!!

Philippians 4:19  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

It IS and WILL BE a happy one, even if there are times of difficulties. God has walked before me, and you, to provide a way for us to make it through the hard times. He knows before we do what we will need and when--Trust Him and be happy where you are!! He loves You!!

 

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need , for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

 

God did not bring you or me to the end of 2013 for any of us to go out feeling sad or regretful. Sure, we've loved, we've lost, we've cried, but, also we've smiled, we've laughed, and we've learned, so that we can move into 2014 with the One we know loves us and will never leave us. So, let's leave everything back in 2013, taking only the valuable lessons, and move forward holding onto our confidence in God and reaching for what lies ahead.

 

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

 

So, grab hold of God's unwavering hand, along with me, and be all He wants you to be in 2014! Give God the glory for Who He is and Whose you are.....He chose you for a purpose.....2014 will be awesome - He isn't done with us yet! And He will make the way clear while making us new, for and in the new year!!

 

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;

 

 

Here's to a Happy 2014 and A New You!!

 



 













God's Leading

Have you ever felt God leading you in a direction and not understood why? This has happened to me and I've talked to many people who have had the same experience.

Months ago, I knew God was leading me to do something and I did it, being obedient to Him. At the time, I really didn't understand the reason, but I knew God wanted me to follow through with what He had just placed upon my heart. With a little doubt, I obeyed but questioned Him for a thought, as to why He had led me in this way. After a little while, I was confident that I was acting in a way that God truly wanted, and became excited about the journey He had me on.

Isaiah 30: 21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it," Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left. (NKJV)

It became apparent, after a few months, as to why God was leading me in a certain direction. It wasn't for the result I had anticipated, but He did reveal the reason to me. Often times God has us do something that doesn't produce the outcome we are looking for, but it will always be the outcome that will grow us and be for our good.

 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (NKJV)

 

When it became obvious as to what God was doing - which was nothing like what I thought - I responded to His leading once again. Alot of times, God has to send us in one direction in order to show us the real direction He wants us to go. His reason for this is because more often than not we try to do things 'our way'. This can delay our progress, of course, but will always be for our good, further into the journey. We must learn to TRUST Him so that our progress will always be forward and that He will always get the glory!

 

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJV)

 

Yes, ALL things work together for good, whether it's something good or bad, when we follow Him. We can always look back and see God working - sometimes it's easier to see it back there than right here in front of us - so keep moving forward with Him (and for Him). He is with us each step of the way; we just have to trust Him and believe He is molding us into the person He wants us to be - not what we want to be.

 

 

He is the Potter - We are the clay.......





 



Radical Obedience

As I've thought about this topic over the past week, I came to realize that ALL obedience to God is somewhat 'radical'. I attended a women's event* a couple of days after drafting this post and God spoke so clearly to me, comfirming what I had written. That's just what God does, isn't it?? And that's one of the 5 filter questions in the YesToGod study - 'is it being confirmed?'....Wow, I just love the way God shows up and shows out at times. The women's event was ended with a question...'What does your Radical look like?' * ........ On to my post ......

Growing up in an angry home, it was my natural tendancy to be angry and blame others. I lived this way for most of my life. #ButGod pursued me and I came to know the Lord.....

• Radical - I had to open my heart - and my heart was made of stone!!

As the Lord worked on my anger, melting it away, I then had to begin 'forgiving' people. #SayWhat?? Yes, we must forgive others....God commands it.....

• Radical - It really wasn't all their fault - I had to take some responsibility!

Moving along thru life, letting God do some real work in me, I came to realize I now must love my enemies....Seriously? #SayWhat?? Yep! Of course this is much easier to say than do, especially when we have to see them but God's Word tells us to love them, so love them (and pray for them) is what I'm doing.....

• Radical - I held the 'golden grudge' award!!! Had to let it go and love!

These 'Radical' moves of obedience may not be so radical in your life, but they were in mine. And that's just a few examples of how 'radical obedience' has looked in my life. Everyone's 'Radical' will be different, so let's never think of our 'radical obedience' as meaningless - every step of obedience is a step in the right direction and means something!

I've had many times when I haven't obeyed - learned that lesson the hard way! So now, when God speaks, I just go with Him (Big or Small). The next time you do something that you feel God is asking you to do, filter it thru the questions, do it and have peace knowing you were obedient. And when someone tells you you're crazy for doing it......You've just taken a step in 'Radical Obedience'!! :-)

Coming from a 55 year old that came to know the Lord at age 43, just know that 'everyday obedience can be radical'.

What does YOUR 'Radical' look like?




*The Real You women's event
*Julie Rape - Director

#PalmsUp #YesToGod

#PalmsUp

God has a way of giving us exactly what we need when we need it! This On-line Bible Study, "What Happens When Women Say Yes To God"  is my confirmation, encouragement, and hope that I’ve been on and will continue to be on the right path, of saying YES to God.

I have lived this 'Say Yes to God' for almost 2 years now. While going thru a devestating time, all I could do was ‘trust’ Him. At times it was very difficult, but He would whisper so softly to me, “I am with you”.

As I literally ‘cried out’ with ‘palms up’, surrendering everything to Him, He would hold me, comfort me, and dry my tears. Everytime I would start to doubt (because of fear and lonliness) He reminded me of how far He’d brought me and what blessings He had already poured onto me. So, I would retrac my doubt and say, ‘Whatever’ YOUR Will is, Lord!

After a while, it became much easier ….. I now walk in ‘God Confidence’, not worrying about what’s been done, or what will come; He has brought me thru the worst of it and He will carry me thru to the end - that's His promise!

It may be a struggle to keep your ‘palms up’, but don’t give up - He gives us the strength we need to continue to praise Him. \o/

I’m not where I need to be but I’m not where I was!! He is faithful and true to His Word, so I will continue with hands raised high and palms up, giving Him all the glory!!

PalmsUp while saying Yes2God ……

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U Turns

D0 you ever make plans for a vacation and get so excited that all you can think about is your destination? I think we all do that.

As I headed out of town recently, all I could think about was where I was going. In doing so, I made a couple of mistakes. Almost missing my first exit, I suddenly had to slow and vere quickly. Since I was back on track, my destination filled my mind, again. This time, I completely missed my turn and had to continue another mile, in order to turn around. Don't you love the people that designed the 'cut throughs' in medians?? Me too! So, a mile later I was able to make a U-turn, all in hopes of getting back on track.

This happens in life, also. Sometimes we get so focused on where we think God is taking us that we miss parts of the journey. But, God also allows U-turns - whether we are slightly off track or totally off track. Either way, He wants us to turn around and will guide us back to Him! So thankful for that!!

Each part of our journey is important; don't miss one!! We all get in such a rush to get 'there', that we overlook the 'little things', at times. Just like missing the exit, we may make a bad decision or miss the whole decision process, missing what's been placed in front of us.

Enjoy the journey, every detail of it! ..... Focus on God and where you are at the moment - He will direct your path!

On a journey with Jesus ..........