Lessons

Have you ever asked too little of God?

I had a moment last night when I whispered a prayer under my breath. Something specific.

I almost laughed at myself when I realized for that prayer to be answered wouldn't require a "major miracle" on God's part or "major faith" on mine. It was quite simply, too simply, a small step.

So, I decided right then, right there to ask God for something...bigger...   Gasp! Could God do that?? Would He?

Boldly again, under my breath, I made the statement of what we needed wanted to see happen. You see, I believe that God not only gives us what we need, but sometimes He gives us what we want.

My dad's message on Sunday was all about trusting God. We are in a position right now, where that is our only option. Dad gave a challenge...the 7 Day Trust Challenge. To wake up every day and offer up ourselves to God, trusting Him to do in us and with us what He wanted. Asking God to lead us in His ways.

So, back to my request...my bold request was almost answered immediately! Within moments...literally! And this morning I still see Him moving in our situation!

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91:1-2

Put your trust in Him today! Don't be afraid to ask for BIG things! He is able!!

Why is temptation so hard to overcome?

This past week was so full of temptations...they were everywhere...

For a girl trying to cut sugars (and I don't mean kisses) out of her daily routine,
this time of year is truly difficult. All of my favorites...chocolate clusters, fudge, pies, fruit salads.

I stepped on the scales at my mother-in-laws and decided from the first day there, I had already blown it...so why not indulge. I tried to be good...honest...there were times I just couldn't help myself. Those peanut clusters were SCREAMING my name...every time I walked into the kitchen!! Since December 1st, I've only had one coke! THAT'S A MIRACLE!!! It's just all the other "eating" that seems to be hard to just say NO to!!

Paul talked about a "thorn in his flesh." (2 Cor. 12:7) I've always wondered what that was for him. Though I'm sure it's not important WHAT it was, some believe it to be a sickness, others believe it to be temptation...whatever your belief...it kept him close to God!

Matthew 26:41 says, "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

God knew we would face them...Jesus gave us a way out. He faced all sorts of temptations...and overcame them. I'm not so great at that...at least that's the way I feel.

Sometimes, our temptations, like food...seem so small.
Sometimes though, we face larger than life temptations...making it near impossible to turn your heart and head away from.
It can be so unbearable at times...you feel like you can't breathe.

What temptations do you face?
Do you put yourself in a position (i.e.: in the kitchen) that makes it hard to turn away?
How much crying out to God do you do to keep yourself free from giving in to that temptation?

Whatever you face today! Turn to God...let Him help you overcome! He is able!

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; 
   he turned to me and heard my cry. 
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, 
   out of the mud and mire; 
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, 
   a hymn of praise to our God. 
Many will see and fear 
   and put their trust in the LORD. 
4 Blessed is the man 
   who makes the LORD his trust, 
who does not look to the proud, 
   to those who turn aside to false gods.  
5 Many, O LORD my God, 
   are the wonders you have done. 
The things you planned for us 
   no one can recount to you; 
were I to speak and tell of them, 
   they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
   but my ears you have pierced; 
burnt offerings and sin offerings 
   you did not require. 
7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-- 
   it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God; 
   your law is within my heart." 
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; 
   I do not seal my lips, 
   as you know, O LORD. 
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; 
   I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. 
I do not conceal your love and your truth
   from the great assembly. 
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
   may your love and your truth always protect me. 
12 For troubles without number surround me;
   my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. 
They are more than the hairs of my head, 
   and my heart fails within me. 
13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; 
   O LORD, come quickly to help me. 
14 May all who seek to take my life 
   be put to shame and confusion; 
may all who desire my ruin 
   be turned back in disgrace. 
15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" 
   be appalled at their own shame. 
16 But may all who seek you 
   rejoice and be glad in you; 
may those who love your salvation always say,
   "The LORD be exalted!" 
17 Yet I am poor and needy; 
   may the Lord think of me. 
You are my help and my deliverer; 
   O my God, do not delay.


1.) What pit have you been lifted from or do you need to be lifted from?
2.) Do you trust God totally...for everything you have need of? Is there something you need to trust him for now?
3.)Have you figured out God's will for your life? (This is a tough one!) How do you know if you are living in his perfect will? 
4.) God is your deliverer! What do you need from him today!
5.) Thank Him for all He has done and all He will do! He loves you so much!

It's okay, Lord...to not know where I am going...as long as I am with you. But the only way I can follow you--in my darkness of not knowing--is to hold tightly to you. Even when I am following closely behind you--I will hit some bumps in the road. It will be messy...but I will follow...

Funny aside...I'm thinking of the movie When In Rome...you remember when they went into the dark restaurant? Even with a capable guide who could see in the darkness...the two wanna-be lovebirds were running into everything and everyone. (The funniest part was when they were touching the heads of the other unsuspecting patrons...and spilling their drinks...pretty funny!)

My problem has been walking in the dark and NOT holding on. I had so beat myself up in the tripping and falling that I was too wounded to go on. But You led me to the Balm of Gilead...the healing restoration needed to make me whole and learn to TRUST in the Process...TRUST in You...EMBRACE the Mystery...

I had been the blind leading the blind.  Therefore; to be led by me is erratic...out of step...where am I leading to?

It is truly time for me to lead myself--to learn to be the follower of You!

The movie When in Rome is such a good picture.  Just when I thought I found "Mr. Right" (my dreams and desires) there were bumps that lead me to question everything...so I stepped into the "fountain" and began grasping for coins. As I chose them, I became attached to the "coins" thinking, mocking, the process and events leading to that moment. 


The more attached I became to the coins--the more comfortable I became with them. They were no longer irritants but a pale reminder of "what could have been." 

You were there all along..."Mr.Right." Trying to woo me back to that place but I didn't trust You! I didn't know what tricks You had up your sleeve. I couldn't help myself--the drawing back was overwhelming. Something was happening--I wanted the real thing--I wanted to return the "coins" but it was difficult.

As I began to put them back in their rightful place I had more opportunity to hold on to YOU instead! You really wanted me! You really love me! You see something in me worth fighting for and You never stopped fighting.

The return to You, to learn to trust again, is so freeing. As I learn to trust You, I've been restored to right thinking and I can trust ME again. Trust in the TRUTH of You and Your WORD. That all I have is yours and You want all of me...just as I am!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on you OWN understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him in all your ways AND HE will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Forgive me Lord for not acknowledging you...for not trusting you to lead me through the darkness. I give you my hand...raise my head to look to you even in my darkness--for even darkness is light to you!