God is Bigger

Do you spend more time telling God how big your problems are, or telling your problems how big your God is? - Jason Meyer

I've been really having a hard time with everything. I was especially struggling the beginning half of last week. The tension was think in the air and I wasn't sleeping well. I would wake up with feelings of anxiety. Psalm 37:8 I struggled with fear, anxiety, bitterness, anger, hurt, betrayal, etc. 

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I know it's wrong and I am struggling with feeling terrible about it! I don't want to question and worry! I want to keep my eyes focused on the Lord and trust Him in ALL things!

"Trust in HIM at all times, you people; pour out your heart before HIM; GOD is a refuge for us. Selah" Psalm 62:8

God has been showing and reminding me this week that I am not fully trusting Him and that HE is BIGGER then everything that is going on! He is perfectly able to change hearts and protect the vulnerable, that He will provide for our needs. We/I just need to trust and keep my eyes above.

"Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. " Col. 3:2

 I was talking to a friend and she was sharing her struggles and her husbands lack of employment the past couple of years and she said, "I can attest to the fact that  God is BIGGER than I ever gave Him credit for."

"Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 31:24

I realized that I was telling God how big my problems are and not remembering that God is BIGGER!! Eph. 3:20 I keep focusing on the fact that my trials include hearts and children, not just unemployment, not just me...and well...that scares me! But God is bigger then anything! He created everything and can change hearts...and protect the hearts of children...and provide all our material needs...provide employment...and strengthen my marriage. 

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6

I know God is using this time to sanctify me and make me more in His image. 

"For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Heb. 12:6

Though I'd rather not have to go through these trying times, BUT I know they are for my good! I can find peace and joy in that!

"My brethren  count is all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." James 1:2-3

Here are some wonderful reminders from Michelle at Above Rubies:

He is able to:
do exceedingly abundantly above all! Eph 3:20
Make all grace abound! 2 Cor 9:8
Aid those tempted! Heb. 2:18
Save to the uttermost! Heb 7:25
Keep you from stumbling!
Present you faultless! Jude 2:4
Keep us until the Day! 2 Tim 1:12
Subdue all things! Phil 3:21
His ability has no end, and He lives in us!
"According to your faith let it be to you." Matt. 9:28-29

What has the Lord been teaching you lately?

For His Glory,

Face-to-Face With God

I LOVE this reminder from, Nancy in Seeking Him. Nancy Leigh DeMoss: In our electronic culture, “face time” is important. When we get face-to-face with someone, we’re more likely to form a deep, intimate connection. In Exodus 33 we read that the Lord would speak to Moses face-to-face, “as a man speaks with his friend.” It’s amazing that this holy, powerful God would have that kind of relationship with one of His creatures. Do you know what else is amazing? That kind of intimate friendship isn’t reserved for just heroes of the Bible like Moses. God has invited you and me to be before His face each day listening to Him, learning from Him through His Word, and in prayer. Have you spent time before His face today? With Seeking Him , I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I have been so busy today and have pushed aside my face-to-face time with God. I'm off to do that now.

How about you, "have you spent time before His face today?"

For His Glory,

Week 2 Be My Valentine Challenge

Sorry this is late! I should have posted it on Monday.

 This weeks theme is The "Pour on the Praise" List.

     You can go to Women Living Well, for the post and full list by Courtney on this weeks challenge.

     Basically, this week we are challenged to encourage our husbands, in written form. I don’t know about you, but finding and focusing on positive things about my husband in order to post them, has helped me think more positively about my husband. Yes, he still can frustrate me. *smile* It’s hard with him not having a job, though so far it’s gotten a little easier, since we have gotten into somewhat of a routine. But this challenge has helped me focus on positive aspects of him.

Some suggestions:

-Leave him random love and or encouraging notes around the house. For example I wrote a simple note that told him I loved him and attached it to the bathroom mirror. I also left him a simple homemade card that affirmed that I thought highly of him.

-I want to make a list of ten things I respect/admire/love/appreciate about him.

-Maybe buy him a romantic card and leave it somewhere for him to find.

-Tell him you love him or some other positive thing on facebook.

-When we can afford it I want to get our vows framed and hung in our room. Perhaps you could do something lie that to affirm your commitment to him.

-Leave some chocolates on his pillow with a verse or love note.

-Talk highly of him to your kids.

-Text him. (Be careful! My sister-in law sent her husband an email and he was giving a presentation when it popped up on the over head! Lol! At least it was only PG rate! ;) Embarrassing non the less.)

-Though your husband may not be aware of it PRAY for him! Pray together. I wish we did, but we typically don’t. If you don’t pray that both your hearts will be drawn together so you will desire to pray together. That is what I am trying to remember to do. *smile*

     Have fun be creative! I can’t to hear what ya’ll come up with. I’ll let you know what I did on Monday.

     I did want to share the latest series, from Nancy Leigh Demoss, on Revive Our Hearts. She is talking about encouragement. The importance of it, who we should encourage, how we can encourage, etc. As I was listening I thought, how awesome is God, to bring this series at the same time we are talking about encouraging our husbands. Here is part of what she had to say:

“Those of you who are married, I hope that you are your husband’s number one cheerleader and encourager. There is nothing more discouraging and disheartening to a man than to have a woman who is belittling him, demeaning him, putting him down. That may be a bad habit you've gotten into, but as you let the Lord encourage you, then you can become a channel of encouragement, God's encouragement and God's grace into the life of your husband—even if he may not be, and he undoubtedly is not, all that God wants him to be. He may be real far from being all that God wants him to be.

But you can through the gift of encouragement speak grace and help and comfort and strength and motivation into his life to become all that God wants him to be. The same with your children, the same with other family members.”

     She also just finished doing one on A Wife Powerful Influence, which was awesome as well! I would highly recommend listening to both series.

     What are some creative ways you are planning to write encouragement into your husband’s life? I would love to know.

For His Glory,

"Be My Valentine" First Week Challenge

Are you doing the "Be My Valentine" marriage challenge? If so how are you doing this week?

     The Lord has been merciful and answered my prayer. He has given me energy after being sick. So I have been able to tackle cleaning and organizing one room a day (with packing, since we where suppose to move, before he lost his job and then Christmas, the house was in chaos!). I love bringing my husband joy. So if trying to keep the house clean and organized (as best as possible with little ones) brings him joy and relaxation  then I want to strive for that! *smile*


     I have not called my mentor yet though. It has been a crazy week! Though I do want to! Lord willing I will see her Sunday at church and can set up a time to talk over the phone.

      I have tried to speak positively of my husband at least once a day everyday. I'll be honest it was easier over the weekend and earlier this past week. Wed and Thur were hard. Not getting enough sleep and always being home together played a role in it. I know a big part though, was my own sinful heart. In stead of letting the small things go, I mentally dwelled on them. I don't know about you, but I struggle with that!! I wish I didn't and I really try not to, but I still do. :( 

     I'd  have to say I probably failed at complimenting him face to face. I did a better job of complimenting him on facebook. Which was my goal! I wanted to say something nice once a day about him in my status. My  mom even noticed. *smile* 

     My husband's love language is touch. He is always saying I don't touch him enough. I feel that I do! *chuckle* I have made a conscious effort to to be more diligent. I walk up and hug him, give him a kiss, rub is shoulder, scratch his back, lay a hand on his arm, or stop to snuggle when in reality I wan to to tackle my "to do list."


   
What about you, what have you done to encourage and uplift your husband? What is your husband's love language? Is it different then yours and I do you meet it day to day?

For His glory,

Walking on Faith

By faith Abraham obeyed when he called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Heb. 11:8

I have started to read, My Utmost For His Highest. By, Oswald Chambers. What a great book! He takes a verse, then expands on it. With everything that is going on right now Hebrews 11:8 really "hit home" for me. The chapter is on faith.

by faith Abraham...

by faith he dwelt...

by faith Sarah...

by faith Joseph... 

by faith Moses...

by faith he forsook...

by faith he kept... 

by faith they passed...

by faith the walls...

...By Faith...

Here is part of what Oswald Chambers had to say on verse 8 :

"Have you been asking God what He is going to do? (why yes, Mr. Chambers I am struggling with needing to know!) He will never tell you. God does not tell you what He is going to do; He reveals to you Who He is. Do you believe in a miracle-working God, (yes, I do. I struggle with believing He will do it in my life though) and will you go out in surrender to Him until you are not surprised an atom at anything He does? 

Suppose God is the God you know Him to be when you are nearest to Him-what an impertinence worry is(yes, is it I wish I didn't struggle with it so much)! Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and you life will have an ineffable charm about it which is satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experiences  until so far as you faith is concerned, there is nothing between yourself and God."

I don't know about you, but I want that type of faith! I don't look forward to the trials and tribulations it may take to get me there though! *smile* But in the end they will be worth it.

What about you, do you want that type of faith? Do you have that type of faith? Do you fully and completely rely on God and are not surprised at anything He does?

For His glory,

Joyful in Trials

Image via Barry Skeates/Flickr

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.

James 1:2

Have you ever had one of those days (or perhaps more then one *wink*), where you feel overwhelmed and frustrated? I know I have!

Josiah has been teething and is cranky. He only wants to be held and screams LOUDLY and angrily!

I prayed to have more patience and God has answered!...Now my 2 year old is pushing the boundaries even more the past few days. She is constantly whining and wanting my attention. Ha! God is trying to teach me patience through her. *smile*

My oldest spills a mess on the freshly cleaned floor. I want to scream!!

Then I remember, James 1:2. I am to find JOY in all my trials. I don't know about you, but when I hear the word trial, I think of BIG trials, not "little" trials. But God doesn't say to find joy in only "big" trials (which as a family we are going through some now.). He says to find joy in VARIOUS trials.

That's when I stop and think, I am so THANKFUL that Josiah alive! That his lung are strong and healthy enough to make sounds, let alone scream! I remember when he was too little to make noise. The first time we heard him make a noise was in the NICU and they had to reinsert his breathing tube and he made some little noises like a mouse squeaking. I WEPT for JOY and the fact that he was getting strong enough to make sounds.

 I thank Him for this time of instruction and that I am able to be home to instruct and discipline her. i find joy in her wanting me to be part of her life (even if it is 24/7 *wink*).

I thank the Lord that He has allowed me to stay home and home school Dakota.I am joyful that she is home with me and her sibling during the day.

Don't forget JOY!! What are some trials that you have dealt with lately and how did you find joy in them?

For His glory,

"And let him rebuke me"

David anointed with oil

Let the righteous strike me;

it shall be a kindness.

And let him rebuke me;

it shall be as excellent oil;

let my head not refuse it.

Psalm 141:5

     Upon reading Psalm 141:5 this morning, I am struck by David's heart! David is wise and 

humble enough to ASK God to bring people (not just any people, but righteous people) into 

his life to rebuke him! He is wise enough to know and want to be corrected when he has 

done wrong or is not thinking in a godly way. He sees that rebuke as kindness and as an 

excellent oil upon his head. Then he asks God to help him not to refuse it. I am struck by 

the wisdom of David's heart!

     I don't know about you, but I have never asked God to bring righteous people into my 

life to rebuke me! I have asked God to bring godly and righteous people (particularly 

women) into my life to guide and teach me to be a godly women, wife, and mother. But, I 

have never thought, or been humble enough to ask God to bring women into my life to 

rebuke me. I don't want to be prideful and of course want to be gently rebuked if I am 

doing, acting, or thinking in an ungodly way, though it stings and technically I don't like it! 

But I want to be a women after God's own heart, even if that means from time to time I 

have to have the sting of being rebuked. 

   

  How about you...have you asked God to bring righteous people into your life to rebuke 

you?! Perhaps we need to stop and humble our hearts and ask God for that! Do you see 

righteous correction and rebukement as a good thing, as an act of kindness, as David put it?

       For His Glory,