Climbing Walls with God

Today was a particularly difficult day for my family and I as we made arrangements to move my grandfather into a nursing facility close to us. This chapter- Psalm 18- really stood out to me today, and I trust it will encourage you also. 

Truly, God is perfect, infinite, all-powerful, and He doesn't need my help to be awesome. 

Psalm 18:29-35 (NLT translation)

The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.
²⁹ In your strength I can crush an army;
    with my God I can scale any wall.

* Our God is so awesome, that nothing takes Him by surprise! He has the power to do anything under the sun, and the power to equip us for battle. 

³⁰ God’s way is perfect.
    All the Lord’s promises prove true.
    He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

*Don't you love the 'ta-da' feeling of this verse? "God's way is perfect." the end. Why do we question His ways? Stop second-guessing Him! God doesn't need a supervisor. 

³¹ 

For who is God except the Lord?

    Who but our God is a solid rock?

*Don't worry about having a back-up plan when you rely on God; He's It. He's where the 'buck stops,' and nothing gets past Him. 

³² God arms me with strength,
    and he makes my way perfect.

³³ He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
    enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
    he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.

*God knows what trials await us, and He will adequately prepare us for each and every one of them- and give us the strength as we need it.

³⁵ You have given me your shield of victory.
    Your right hand supports me;
    your help has made me great.

Tonight, I'm sitting in that right hand, trusting it will support my family and me in the days and weeks to come as we care for my grandfather during this final stretch. With the help of the Almighty God, He will make me victorious in this continuous battle of trust, and give peace in the most difficult of times. 

until next time. . . 

e

New Habits

"I want you to learn a new habit.

Try saying, "I trust You, Jesus" in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you. 

This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective- through the light of My universal Presence- fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me."

-From "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young-

Learning to Trust in 2013. 

until next time...

Elizabeth

Trust and Obey

There is something very unsettling about the end of a year, and the beginning of a brand new one. With the beginning of a new year, there are set before us a whole new set of unforeseeable circumstances, difficulties, problems, and frustrations. Of course, with that, there is also the joy in surprises, delightful events, and the suspense of the unknown. Whichever set of circumstances will ring in the new year, here is a wonderful thought on 'trust' by Sarah Young: 

"Trust ME with every fiber of your being! 

What I can accomplish in and through you is proportional to how much you depend on Me. 

One aspect of this is the degree to which you trust Me in a crisis or a major decision. Some people fail miserably here, while others are at their best in tough times. Another aspect is even more telling: the constancy of your trust in Me. People who rely on Me in the midst of adversity may forget about Me when life is flowing smoothly. Difficult times can jolt you into awareness of your need for Me, whereas smooth sailing can lull you into a stupor of self-sufficiency. I care as much about your tiny trust-steps through daily life as about your dramatic leaps of faith. You may think that no one notices, but the One who is always beside you sees everything- and rejoices. Consistently trusting in Me is vital to flourishing in My Presence."

-God-

As I approach the coming year, there are many things I will strive to accomplish, flaws I will endeavor to change, and things I would like to occur in my life. It's a rather powerless and humbling realization that I have absolutely no idea what will happen in the coming year. Yes, I have a vague calendar of academic events, but as for day-to-day happenings? I have no idea. I may not be able to control the circumstances and happenings in 2013, but I can control my response to them, and maintain my connection and trust in the One who approves the coming events. 

"Trust and obey, for there's no better way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey." 

Happy 2013!