God is faithful.

It is so hard to remember when things are crashing down around us, but He is.

Among the devastation that the slump in the economy is causing, there have been so many around me falling ill. Not just a cold or flu, but like, leukemia, melanoma, brain tumors. In the past month I have known or been related to someone diagnosed with one of each of those illnesses. Praise the Lord one is cancer free! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

One time, I saw someone completely delivered from a brain tumor, the doctors saw it one week and the next week, after an all night prayer service and many many prayers being lifted, it was gone. Only to return and take her life not even two years later.

I have watched a family believe with everything that their son and brother would be delivered from his brain tumor and when he wasn't I wondered about their reaction, they held so tightly to God's promises that I cannot imagine the rewards they will have waiting in Heaven. They have touched so many lives and continue to do so through their living example of faith.

I see these examples and think about how amazing and faithful God is. And I wonder how I could ever doubt. Then I remember...

Moses. He lifted a staff and God parted the sea, he walked across the dry land.

Abraham. He was told he would have descendants he could not count. Then God told him to sacrifice his son and he was about to right when he was told to stop.

The disciples. Each one left EVERYTHING they knew, to follow Jesus. Homes, families, and jobs. They were able to witness miracles preformed by Jesus, right in front of their own eyes. People were raised from the dead, healed, water turned to wine, a few fish fed thousands.

The thing that hits me in each of these stories, and several others throughout Scripture, is that even though they witnessed things that seem so completely amazing and impossible, TRUE MIRACLES...They eventually doubted again.

They are like me in that I have witnessed God's hand working through miracles and yet I doubt Him when I come into difficult circumstances again.

I pray that I can grow in faith and know that "He is before all things and in Him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:17), "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13), and that above ALL else, "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39)

No matter what, God is working and as long as I seek Him, I will not be separate from Him or his love. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Humpty Dumpty

Psalm 71:5-8

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother's womb.
I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.

No matter what happens, He is our refuge!

I have recently been a little less than confident in some areas of my life and Thursday I was seeking guidance from the One who IS my confidence...He set the above Scripture in front of my eyes and ever since then I have been so thankful for it! I have been truly holding on to who I am in Him...No matter what the world throws at me or what pit I find myself in, I always return to the One who made me so He can put me back together again...Kinda like humpty dumpty...haha!

I just thought of that and thought it was silly but for real..."All the Kings horses and all the Kings men, couldn't put humpty together again..."

Only the KING is able to put me together...so it is Him I will seek when broken!

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed;
save me and I will be saved,
for you are the one I praise."
Jeremiah 17:14

Winter doldrums

So friends...

I have been in a heck of a rut and from what I hear that has been going around...

The economy is not good in the least, there are so many people I know dealing with sickness and death and other crummy things that just suck in this world...

I have one friend with a brain tumor, not doing well, a couple I know have a daughter with Leukemia, friends are losing jobs, hours and funds are being cut back everywhere...

A friend and I were talking today about it and wondering, what is God's purpose or plan in this?

He may not have a specific plan in this for all of us, but I know for sure that we can CHOOSE to use it for Him...We can choose each day to trust in His promises and to put one foot in front of the other. Sometimes it is harder and our feet may get tired but as long as we move FORWARD for Him, we are glorifying Him...

Remember to TRUST Him above ALL!!! Keep Him on His throne where He belongs...go to Him in EVERYTHING and HE will direct you!

He is more than faithful and He will care for us as long as we allow Him...

It could be that He wants us to get back to the basics. LD was preaching about the gods of more...So often our mindset is "more of this and that will make us happy". Maybe it is time to let go of these THINGS and to hold firmly to the ONE THING that will never leave or forsake us...

I leave you with the Scripture I am currently working on memorizing!

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Colossians 1:15-20