Tag Archives: trust

Eternal Perspective

Posted on by brokenredeemed

Last week, as I read Matthew 16, I came across the verses (21-23) where Jesus revealed to His disciples that He was going to suffer and die in Jerusalem, but that He’d be raised to life; and Peter rebukes Jesus for saying such things. Jesus turns away from Peter and says, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

You see, Peter wasn’t seeing things the way the Father sees things. Much like us, he saw only what he thought should happen; what he wanted and expected to happen. But He, like other Jews, was thinking too small. He thought the Messiah would come and rescue them from Roman rule. God the Father wanted to rescue all mankind from sin and death; He brought everlasting life through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for all who believe!

So often, we think the same way. We think God’s going to save us from our particular situation or trial in a particular way. We think, if we had a particular leader,  for instance, things would change for the better. We tend to focus on the here and now and think God will make a way, He’ll heal us completely, He’ll open that door, restore that relationship, etc…but sometimes that’s not His plan. Sometimes, in our suffering, others see our dependence, strength, and peace in the Father and ask, “How?” Sometimes, God chooses something for us that we would never do or choose to walk on our own; something that makes us uncomfortable, brings us to our knees, and stretches our trust and faith in Him. He places us in locations and circumstances where we can be salt and light as we walk out our faith.

There are so many Old Testament examples of God using men and women, like you and I, for His glory. Men like Joseph, whose jealous brothers sold him into slavery, only for him to eventually be placed second in command to Pharoah and save the lives of countless people. Like Moses, whose mother placed him in a reed basket and sent him down a river to avoid slaughter. Yet, he was drawn from the river, faced down a Pharoah, and lead the Israelites through the wilderness to the promised land. They couldn’t see how their stories would turn out or how they would affect the future (or see how Christ was foreshadowed in their delivery). Naomi didn’t see how the death of her husband and sons and the faithfulness of her daughter-in-law would put her in the lineage of Christ.

In the New Testament, while we see the many miracles of Jesus, we also see men imprisoned, beaten, and martyred for their faith and sharing the Gospel. You may think, “But I don’t understand, doesn’t Romans 8:28 tell us “that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose”? First, I think we often miss that last part, “according to His purpose.” God will always do that which brings glory to Himself and draws men to Him; He’s building His kingdom, not our’s. Second, I think we forget that things that are good for us aren’t always pleasing. Trials aren’t easy or pleasing, neither is discipline. Yet,  Romans 5:3-5 tells us that we ought to “rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” And Hebrews 12:11 says discipline “yeilds the  peaceful fruit of righteousness.” Therefore, it’s for our eternal good that God works all things together!

We know that in this life, we will have trials (James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7); and we shouldn’t say this flippantly, because some circumstances have the ability to shake us to our core. It’s no coincidence that in Matthew 16:24-28, just after this incident with Peter, Jesus tells the disciples that to follow Him would be costly. That they would have to deny themselves and pick up their cross to follow Him. We have to deny ourselves and the way we think things should go, the way we think our lives should pan out, the hopes and dreams and goals we may have, and surrender them at the feet of Christ, saying “thy will be done, not my will. Thy kingdom come, not my kingdom.” It’s hard! Jesus said that the gate to eternal life is hard and narrow, and few will find it (Matthew 7:13-14). We may not be able to see the end, but we serve a God outside of all time who sees how everything will work out, how all the pieces will come together for our eternal good and His glory; and we can’t rest in that.

Seeking in 2024

Posted on by brokenredeemed

Welcome all to my little spot on the internet! It’s been such a long time since I’ve written anything public. I’ve been praying about this blog because I wasn’t sure whether or not the things God has been teaching me are for others or just for myself. However, I’ve been reading “Raising Giant-Killers,” by Bill Johnson, and was reminded of the power of testimonies in showing what a powerful and loving God we serve. Then, I read in Matthew 13:52  how every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of Heaven is like a homeowner who brings from his storeroom new gems of truth as well as old (paraphrased from the AMP and NLT). So, here I am, attempting to share gems of truth.

I was sitting here re-reading some of the blog drafts that have been just sitting out in space, unfinished and/or unseen, by the public eye. Some, I deleted permanently because really they were more related to what was going on in our culture at the time I wrote them (2019-2022), but a few I kept and may update and share with you soon.

So, what’s going on with me now? I’m still a homeschooling stay-at-home mom of three, married to my hubby of almost 8 years. I’m finally coming out of the fog that is the fourth trimester, now that my last child is almost three (yes, it took that long), and I’m finding that I have a little more free time and energy on my hands, although, life is still very busy.

This past January, when everyone was thinking about their goals for the new year, I started a 21-day fast with my church, not really going into it with anything in particular that I wanted to pray about. The last few years, I’ve felt especially “stuck” in my role as mother and wife and in the ministries I’ve been involved with–and/or wanted to be involved with–my last post, titled Tomatoes, touched on this. I was tired of getting my hopes up, setting goals, praying about the same things repeatedly, and never seeing them come to fruition. But I fasted, and I prayed anyway. Even when it was hard. Even when I had no idea why it was hard.

I finally realized I was kind of angry and disappointed because things hadn’t changed over the last few years. I thought things would get easier as my children got older, I thought I’d be able to do more of the things I wanted to do or that I’d felt called to do; and I wanted to do more for the kingdom. So I laid this at God’s feet, and I asked Him to change my heart. I told Him, His Word says His burden is light, and His yolk is easy, but this life He’d given felt so burdensome (Matthew 11:28-30). This is me being real and vulnerable with you. Motherhood is incredibly hard for me. I know I’m not the only one who has felt this way. This is why I’m sharing. Motherhood is lonely, exhausting, repetitive, and unappreciated work. I love my children so much, but that doesn’t change how hard the role is.

To continue, during my Bible time, I read Jeremiah 29, and verses 4-7 jumped out at me. This is where God told Jeremiah to tell the Israelites that while they were in Babylonian captivity (for their sin), they were to be fruitful and to pray for the cities God had sent them to.  Essentially, He told them to bloom where they were planted. Then I thought about how God’s called me to my home and given me my children and husband, and I was focusing on all the wrong things. I want to do important things for God, but this is where He has me. It’s like in Matthew 25, when the master gives the servant money and tells him to invest it, but instead, he buries it. In focusing on how hard motherhood is, instead of how my God supplies me with everything I need, and uses motherhood to sanctify me and pour into my family, I wasn’t growing the gifts He’d given me. I wasn’t being faithful in the little things. I was thinking that I needed to go outside my home to do (additional) kingdom work, but He reminded me I can be on my knees in prayer for those doing the work that I can’t do in this season; and prayer is kingdom work!

Lastly, and more importantly, I was so focused on doing something important for the kingdom that I took my eyes off of the King. The King is sovereign, and He knows what He’s doing, and He does that which brings Him glory and establishes His kingdom, in His own time and in His own way; and He deserves my complete trust. After I lay all this down, God gave my pastor a message on surrender, and I knew I was on the right track because the Holy Spirit confirms what He’s revealing.

Well, this past Wednesday as we sang “The Goodness of God,” and we got to the verse that says “Your goodness is running after me,” I pictured my three children literally running after me, and I knew that God had done something transformative in my heart that I could never do on my own. We serve such a big and perfect God, with His own big and perfect plans. Those plans often look so much different than what we want or expect, but He’s always working in us, through us and around us. We just have to keep our eyes on Him no matter what, and never stop seeking Him, even when it’s hard.

Let it Go

Posted on by brokenredeemed

Hey, ladies and gents! I know it’s been quite a while since I’ve written. 2020 was a crazy year and I’ve been stuck at home with two kiddos under 3, with really hardly any time for myself, or really to just think.

When Ms. E turned one in September, the hubby and I were just beginning to have the “are we gonna try for a third?” talk. Honestly, I was a little freaked out by the prospect. I had a mini panic attack in the shower just thinking about it, one night; but then God reminded me that He wouldn’t give me more than I could handle. I just had to trust and rely on Him. Isn’t that where He always wants us? In a place of full surrender and dependency on Him.

As it turned out, we’re expecting again, and due June 2021. I guess that moment in the shower was God’s way of giving me a heads up, lol.

With each pregnancy, I’m reminded how the changes in my body and the development of the baby in my womb are beyond my control. I can only trust God’s plan and walk in faith. But it’s not always easy. Every doctor’s visit I can’t help but hold my breath in anticipation of hearing that little “whoosh whoosh” of baby’s heartbeat.

This weekend, as I drove to the grocery store, alone (whew!), I began praying over the state of our country. To be honest, it gives me some anxiety. And I was reminded, yet again, that my faith is not in our leaders, our constitution, or even in our country (you may want to take a look at my last post for more on this), but in Jesus Christ, alone. No matter what, we must keep our eyes focused on Him. We must teach our children to love Him, follow Him, and share Him within our spheres of influence. Because that’s really all we CAN do. Just like a pregnancy, there are really so many things beyond our control, and the only thing we can do about such things, is pray Gods will, and let it go.

Therefore, if you’re worried about something–or someone–we cannot control or influence (which covers a pretty wide spectrum), PRAY and LET. IT. GO. Focus on what we can control…our tongue, our actions, the things we entertain in our minds, the information we consume. Anger, bitterness, fear, anxiety, divisiveness, have no place in a believer’s heart, even if others allow these things to consume them. We’re supposed to be different. We’re supposed to be imitators of Christ, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit!

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ~ Galatians 5:16-17, ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. ~ Galatians 5:22-26, ESV

So, again, I say pray and let it go. Take care and God bless.

Lean Not on Your Own Understanding

Posted on by brokenredeemed

FontCandy (12)When I was little, I learned a lot of Scripture through song, and the verses to the left are an example of that. I do most of my private Bible study in my Amplified Bible (AMP), because it provides additional phases of meaning included in the original word, phrase, or clause of the original language and clarifying words or comments; I also like the English Standard Version (ESV, which is more of a word for word translation). But most of the Scripture I have memorized, is either in the King James (KJV) or New International (NIV), since that’s what I grew up with.

Therefore, when I come across familiar verses such as these in my AMP Bible–I sing the song, lol–and take notice of the additional words used that I might gain greater insight into the text.

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6, AMP

Recently, I’ve noticed Facebook posts including Scripture, and then people stating their personal opinion regarding said Scripture. Basically, they attempt to void the Scripture, with their opinion. However, if something is found in the Word of God, it’s not opinion, it’s Truth. We have opinions, but God sets the standard. If our opinion goes against the Word, we’re in the wrong; and we’re being rebellious.

But…but…the are no buts. As the Bible tells us, we’re not to be relying on our own understanding of how we think things should be, because God doesn’t think like us. It’s us who should be striving to see the world as He does! If the Bible says something that we don’t understand or agree with, then we should pray that God change our heart (and mind) and help us to see as He sees, or to help us be obedient in that area, even if/when we don’t understand.

I guess what it comes down to is, are we confident that the Lord is good (perfect), and that His ways and plans are higher and greater than our own? Are we dependent upon Him for direction and revelation? Do we trust Him, fully, completely? If so, then we have to trust that what He says in His Word is true, whether we agree with it or not.

Furthermore, sometimes we simply don’t agree with something because it’s being taken out of context. This is one reason why I say the Bible needs to be read in its entirety. You may find that in one book you’ll find something that you think contradicts another verse, but in reality it simply gives us greater understanding and insight into what God really meant. The God of the Old Testament is the same God in the New Testament, with the same love for humanity, but He’s also holy, righteous, sovereign, and oh-so-wise.

So, let’s keep our eyes on the path ahead, and not turn to the right or left (Proverbs 4:25-27). Let’s remember that His Word is truth and our opinion, just that, our opinion. We don’t see the big picture as He does, but if we’re believers, the Holy Spirit can help us not to just see, but also to walk in obedience, trusting in the Lord every step of the way.

God Listens and He Cares

Posted on by brokenredeemed

In my last post–JOY–I alluded to the fact that God had reminded me that He cares for me, and I thought I’d let you in on what’s been going on in my life and how God has been moving.

For the last few weeks, I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed by my job and have been on the hunt for a new one. I was applying for everything, including part-time jobs and temporary jobs. I figured any extra income could help us (my husband and I) achieve our financial goals quicker and allow me to eventually leave my current full-time position.

So, here I sat, the day after my birthday, on my sofa, praying and journaling. I was telling God that sometimes I don’t like to come to Him with my little life struggles, because they seem so insignificant and small when I compare them to the real struggles, trials, and hardships of the people and world around me. Yet, I just talked to Him about how I’ve been feeling and how I wish I had a way out, because I felt stuck. I finally ended my journaling by just writing that I wished I just knew that He cared. All I wanted to know was that God was listening to me and that He cared.

I went on about my day, cleaning up the house, doing laundry, etc. and as I was hanging up a shirt in the closet…the phone rang. It was a reply to one of the positions I had applied for. I thought it was for a temporary position, but the manager was looking for a part-time employee. I told him my current work schedule and he didn’t think it was going to work out, so we said our goodbyes. Not 5 minutes later he called back, asked me a few more questions and I told him what was going on with my current work situation and how I eventually planned to leave; and the next thing I knew, I had an interview! You’d better believe I was thanking God and laughing after we’d hung up. God showed me very clearly that He was listening to me and that He certainly cares.
But…there’s more! The business that offered me the interview is Christian owned and operated, and during the interview process the manager told me that he’d already done all the interviews for the position, and was about to make his selection when my application hit his inbox and “something” told him he needed to take a look at it. 😀

God listens and He cares.

Afterwards, I was told that if I were to get the position I would be notified on Monday. However, Monday came and Monday went and no call. I was a little disappointed, because I was so positive that God had ordained this…

But God listens and He cares.

Tuesday afternoon, I got the call! Again, I was thanking God in my cubicle.

Oh…but wait…about an hour later, a PC notification window popped up on my work computer, letting me know of a scheduled meeting that I hadn’t even noticed before. I didn’t know what it was for. During the meeting we were surprised to discover…that our positions will be outsourced in the near future. o.o

But God listens and He cares.

So often, we think that God doesn’t hear us or that He doesn’t care…then something like this happens. God has been working behind the scenes like crazy in my life, though I couldn’t see it, and the last few weeks He has totally reminded me that He’s completely worthy of my trust. His timing is perfect and, as the Word says, He knows exactly what we need, even before we ask (Matthew 6:8; Luke 12:30).

Even as I write this, I’m thinking about that…He knows what we need, before we even recognize or are aware of our need. Wow! I’m still amazed. God knew what was coming and He made provision for me, just as He promises in His word (Luke 12).

If you’ve never fully given your life to Christ, or if you have, but you’ve been holding back and not fully walking in His will, I’m telling you, He is so good. He is so trustworthy. He is so perfect, all-powerful, and all-knowing. And He wants a relationship with you. He wants you to come to Him; yes, even with the little things! 😉 He wants you to depend on Him. He wants you to walk hand-in-hand with Him.

And tonight He wants you to know that He hears you and He cares for you…He loves you.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

     “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

     “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

~ Luke 12:22-31, NLT

 

Lead Me, I’ll Follow

Posted on by brokenredeemed

On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. DSC00059When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses. (Numbers 9:15-23, NLT)

Friday morning as I read over the above scripture I thought about how this is such a perfect picture of being at the mercy of God’s leading. The Israelites were in a position where they couldn’t move forward unless God lead the way. I thought about how difficult it must have been to set up and tear down their camp. There were millions of Israelites, by this time, and each time God said to move, they had to tear down their tents, gather their families, and the numerous animals they had with them, as well as dismantle the Tabernacle. Then when God told them to stop, they had to set everything back up; without knowing whether they would be staying a day, a week, a month, or even a year. They couldn’t see the future, they just had to trust the God who was leading them.

As I read this, I noted how difficult this must have been, especially for control freaks (like me!). Yet, Israel’s obedience to the Lord’s direction is representative of how we ought to be! How often we’re ready to move—perhaps, even with a plan that God has already revealed to us—without the go-ahead from God. We can get so caught up in making something happen, that we can become overwhelmed and frustrated when doors remain shut to us, and ready to give up before God has even prepared the way for us. (I think I’ve said this before, but God loves to place us in impossible situations, so that when He produces a miracle, He receives the credit! For more on this, check out Perfection in Weakness) Moreover, more often than not, we’re not even ready for what God has planned for us; or He’s using us right where we are and just isn’t ready to move us yet. Most of the time there are still areas of our lives that need developing or strengthening before He can lead us on to the next part of His plan.Faith is

If we could see exactly every detail of what God has planned for our future, following Him wouldn’t be considered faith! Remember, Hebrews 11:1 says “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is remaining steadfast to our hope in Christ regardless of what we see or feel, or how hard things get. It’s about not knowing what’s going to happen, or how something will happen, but trusting that God will take care of us, even if it’s in His timing. The Bible never says things will be easy for the believer; in fact, we know that there will be difficult times (Daniel 11:35; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 21:12; 2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 14:12). There will be (and has been) persecution, imprisonment, and even torture done to our brothers and sisters around the world. But we also know that God’s plan will not fail and there is a future of everlasting life that awaits those who allow Him to lead!

It’s one of the most difficult things, to follow Christ. To truly trust, rely on, and cling to Him, believing that He has our best interest at heart, but that’s exactly what He asks of us: that we let Him take the lead.

Lead me by Your truth and teach me,

for You are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in You.

Psalm 25:5

Living in Exile

Posted on by brokenredeemed

While making my way through the book of Jeremiah, I read and re-read chapter 29. It includes my favorite verses 29:11-13, but it also includes so much more. The prophet, Jeremiah, writes to the Israelites who’ve been taken captive in Babylon and basically tells them that God wants them to settle in for a while!

Can you imagine what it must have been like to be taken from the land that God had promised you would belong to you and your family forever? To be taken from your family and living among people you don’t know or share any commonalities with? At this point, I’m pretty sure the Israelites had seen the folly of their ways. They knew that they’d messed up and now they wanted to go home. They were probably begging God to save them from the hand of the Babylonians and return them to their homeland; but what did God tell them? He told them, to settle in, marry, have children, build homes; in essence, continue living life, until the time that He set for them to be returned to their land should come.

How often is it that we find ourselves in a pit of our own creation? We recognize our mistakes and we turn back to God, begging Him to help lift us out of our situation. These are the moments we feel like He doesn’t care, because, often, help doesn’t come right away. Does that mean that God doesn’t care? Most certainly not. Just as God cared about the Israelites while they were living in exile in Babylon, God most certainly cares about each of our situations. But God’s timing is not like our own. He sees a much bigger picture than we do; and sometimes we just have to learn to live in exile, until the day that God unveils His plan for us. That means trusting in Him to pull us through, when we can’t see beyond our current circumstances…

In Whom do You Trust?

Posted on by brokenredeemed

As we mature from teens to adults, our freedom gradually increases. We are given the opportunity to make our own choices about school, work, relationships, jobs, our faith, money, and how we choose to spend our time–just to name a few. Often, our parents continue to advise us, but in the end, the choice is still ours.

What I find interesting, is that sometimes we choose to do the exact opposite of what our parents advised, and we figure out, much to our dismay, that we made the wrong decision. Now, when this happens, does it make sense that we would blame our parents because things didn’t work out the way we expected them to? Absolutely not! We made the wrong choice and we are responsible for the repercussions of our actions. Our parents tried to lead us in the right direction, but we chose the wrong one.

I’ve realized that we often do this with God, as well. God advises and tells us what we ought to do, what He’d like us to do, but in the end, it’s our choice. When we try to follow our own path and things don’t work out, is it God’s fault that things didn’t work out for us? (Hint: Was it our parents’ faults?) We may think we know what’s best for us, but when we refuse to listen to God’s counsel and not trust Him, it’s not His fault when our world is turned upside down, but our own, for relying on ourselves instead of Him.

In the book of Isaiah, God uses Isaiah to tell the people of Israel “‘Woe to the obstinate children,’ declares the Lord, ‘to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin’ (30:1).” In this verse, God is talking about the Israelites and their decision to form an alliance with Egypt for protection against their enemies, but the concept is the same; the Israelites weren’t putting their trust in God to keep them safe, but were forming their own plans.

Proverbs 19:21 states “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” In the end, we may have all these plans for our lives. We may have desires and dreams and goals, but unless they’ve been instilled in us by the Holy Spirit, trying to attain them is going to be impossible! We may try and try and try, but it will be fruitless, because they’re not God’s plan for our lives and His hand won’t be upon us. But He promises that when we put Him first and seek His face and His will for our lives, He will bless us and make us fruitful.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me will all your heart.”