God’s Words To Us

 

I know everything about you

Your strengths and your weaknesses

Remember, I gave them to you.

 

Nothing you do or say

Or think or desire

Will surprise me, for I already know it.

 

Trust me even when you can’t see what

I am doing in your life

I will reveal it when you are ready.

 

 

Persevere, for it increases your character

And character will give you hope and assurance

That you will come out the other side

One day you will see how all the pieces of the puzzles of your life

Fit together to form a beautiful picture I have planned
 

 

I will surround you with all you need

Friends and family, wisdom and knowledge.

You will receive them when you need them.

 

Trust me, for I am not a liar.

I speak only truth.

 

I am the path for you to follow

I am the TRUTH you must hang onto

I am the LIFE that you need.

 

I love you to the ends of the earth and

I will never leave you or forsake you.

I am faithful and will bring about my purposes in your life.

I am working to grow you in ways you cannot see.

And my plans will prevail.

 

You must simply hold fast to what never changes.

You must hold onto me.

God tells us all these things in the Bible. Which one(s) comfort or challenge you most? Don't forget to join the conversation.

 

 

 

 

 

What Difference Can It Make?

I read the following story by Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen and it encouraged me to persevere even when the results aren't obvious. 


One At A Time

                                                                                                   Starfish from mizmak

A friend of ours was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again he  kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As our friend approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed upon the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.

Our friend was puzzled. He approached the man and said, "Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing."

"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide right now and all of these have been washed up onto the shore. If I don't throw them back into the sea, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen.

"I understand, " my friend replied, "but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see you can't possibly make a difference?"

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as they threw it back into the sea, he replied, "Made a difference to that one!"

Perhaps it would give us a better outlook if we keep this in mind. What do you think? I'd love to hear from you.

 

Determination

Tommy was just a few months old here playing Dog Brick, a toy we'd bought to challenge his mind. We were told it would be good for his development. 

His nose told him the treats were there, if he could only figure out how to get them. He had to think of how to get the blocks out of the way.  Once he did, he could slide the cover over and voila! The treat was his for the taking.   

I find the same situation in my own life.  There are some things I know I'd enjoy if I could just get rid of the obstacles in the way.  It may be a closer relationship with God, or a greater sense of purpose. Whatever it is, I have to determine what's in my way, then figure out how to either move it, go around it, or get rid of it. 

It may be easier said than done. But, if I really want it, I'll persevere until I get it--no matter what it takes. Like Tommy, I'll get all the blocks out of the way and the end result. And the process could just be good for my development.

Can you relate? Is there anything you’d like in your life, but there are obstacles in the way that you can eliminate or get around to reach your goal? Could the process be worth it?  

One Step At A Time

 

Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I Psalm 61:2

Camp was always a lot of fun. For years, I went rock-climbing and rappelling. The belayer, tied into the rock at the top, was secured with specific knots to ensure safety. The person scaling the rock before the climb begins, the belayer and the climber communicate to make sure each is ready. “On belay?” “Belay’s on.” “Climbing?” “Climb!”

I began to climb, looking for and grabbed hold of handholds and footholds to pull myself up. Sometimes I had to jamb my hand or foot in a crack, secure it, and shift my weight to hoist myself up. Keeping in mind my goal was to reach the top motivated me to continue up the rock, despite the periodic scrapes and bruises along the way.

It often looked impossible because I saw nowhere to place my feet or hands. But, the belayer and those at the bottom had a different perspective and they could see the bigger picture. They suggested other possible routes for me to take. Following their direction allowed me to reach the top, eventually.

Only years later did I realize how this situation is akin to my life. Many times, I set out toward a goal and have a plan to get there but can’t do it alone. God uses people with a different, bigger perspective to help me along the way. Listening to them gives me the support I need and encourages me to persevere, taking it one step at a time.

If your goal seems out of reach, or you can’t see how to get there, look to God and seek His path for your life. He alone can see the big picture and will lead you in the right direction.