There’s so much more!

It’s been far too long since I sat down to write you. You’ve been in my thoughts very much and I’ve prayed for you often.

Well over two years ago I was inspired to encourage you through this blog with the idea that if I could tell you just one thing, what would it be? Well today it’s that there is so much more! More what? Would be a good question but we’ll answer that later. Here are some other questions to consider first: Do you have the feeling that there’s something lacking in your life? Do you feel less “spiritual” than many of those around you? Could God be more “real”, more present to you? Do you get pressure to religiously perform up to others expectations but when you do it’s rarely fulfilling? If you answered yes to any of these questions don’t be discouraged. God is inviting you to put all of that behind you.

Each of us spends far too much of our lives looking for love in all the wrong places. The more that we are looking for, the more that we know is out there for us, is God Himself. He truly is everything we need and He wants us to quit trying to manufacture a relationship with Him or maybe more importantly to quit manufacturing the appearance of a relationship with Him.

Slow down, get quiet, cry out. He loves you so very much. He truly can be everything you need and even more so everything you want. Let Him! Don’t remain in the shackles of whatever keeps you from Him, it’s a position of your own making. He wants to meet you today right where you’re at and pour His peace and freedom all over you.

You are loved; don’t believe the evidence to the contrary.

Keep in Mind

There are times in life that God’s voice is louder, when we hear and understand what He’s calling us to more clearly than other times. There is nothing more heartening even though He’s often asking us to join Him in something others won’t understand and that has an uncertain outcome. Scripture is filled with such recounts from Noah to John and it’s wonderful that God desires this same intimacy with each of us. Noah, Abraham and Moses all had to wait decades before they saw God’s promises fulfilled and we shouldn’t expect our impatience to change the circumstances any more than in their cases.

So, it’s extremely important for us to remember and to be reminded of the times we unquestionably heard from God. Our trust is strengthened when we regularly consider God’s calling and our resolve is bolstered when we’re surrounded by folks that love us and help us keep His promise in mind.

Today is the anniversary of such a time for my family and I. Two years ago through various people, scriptures and circumstances we changed our lives to follow what we are certain is God’s best for us. Sarah Young in her book Jesus Calling sums it up well: “I have called you to follow me on a solitary path, making time alone with Me your highest priority and deepest joy. It is a pathway largely unappreciated and often despised. However, you have chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you. Moreover as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.”

Thank you for your reminders, encouragement and love. God is so proud of you, we are deeply touched.

You’ve Got a Friend

When you’re down and troubled and you need a helping hand and nothing, nothing is going right.
You’ve got a friend.
When the sky above you turns dark and full of clouds and that old North wind begins to howl.
You’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend when people can be so cold, they’ll hurt you and desert you, they’ll take your soul if you let them, but don’t you let them. – Carol King

Jesus is the name to call on when you’re feeling lonely, hurt and unloved as so many are today. And while His love for you is enough, it won’t be the only love you’ll find. He’ll bring special friends around to love and encourage you. Call His name out loud, let people know you are hurting if they’re cold they weren’t friends if they come running, let them in.

Give Care

We hear the phrase “take care” all the time but what if we encouraged each other as much to give care?

Give and Get, Not Give to Get

There’s so much encouragement to be given, the need may be greater than ever before. Chances are good; you could use a little yourself. How about looking for the opportunity to lift someone up today? I’ll bet you find yourself uplifted as well.

This encouraged me this morning, again from E. Stanley Jones:

“If you look within you’ll be discouraged, if you look around you’ll be distracted, if you look back you’ll be paralyzed; But if you look at Jesus you’ll have peace.”

Afflictions

In First Thessalonians chapter three scripture says, “We sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you in your faith and to exhort you, that no one be moved by these afflictions. You yourselves know that this is to be our lot.”

So many are in the middle of tough times, if that’s where you find yourself, be encouraged.

I came across this from E. Stanley Jones this morning: “The point of help that Timothy brought was that Christians should not be moved by afflictions, that it is our very lot as Christians. This cuts across the thinking of many present-day Christians; for they think the special favor of God is shown by their exemption from afflictions. They are in the success mentality of modern life instead of in Christ. To be in Christ is to be different, therefore persecuted. Society demands conformity; if you fall beneath its standards it will persecute you. Hence this is our lot.”

When life gets difficult it doesn’t mean God is mad at us or that we must have done something wrong, sometimes it’s just the opposite. Oh, and if everything seems to be going your way thank Him, it’s not because you’ve done something to gain special favor, He loves you, don’t take the credit.

You made my day

Don’t you love to hear those words? You will have the chance to make someone’s day today. Don’t miss it. They may not tell you how much it means to them but it’s still pretty great.

Endure the Burn

“What is to give light must endure the burn.” – Viktor Frankl

I came across this quote in a new book I’m reading, which I’ll tell you much more about after finishing. The quote really spoke to me as I was praying for so many of you that are going through some really rough times. I am heartened by your courage and the trust you demonstrate knowing that one day God will use this current challenge to shine on the lives of others. Be encouraged today.

Your Pursuit of Him

I am amazed on a daily basis at the way so many of you seek God with all of your hearts. This pursuit of yours speaks volumes to the world around you. It’s not normal. Most of the world ignores His existence altogether while much of the Christian world, wants just enough of Him to squeeze into heaven but not have their lives disrupted too much. Your fervent quest for more of God is truly astounding. There is always more of Him to be discovered and you will not be disappointed as you come to know Him more deeply. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for how your relationship with Him encourages me.

Heartened

“How could God think of me as His beloved? But then I remember Jesus said to one of the guys with Him that he was a rock even though He knew this same guy would deny ever knowing Him. I don’t think Jesus was blowing sunshine at Peter when He did that. Instead I think he was calling something out from inside Peter.” – “We get to do that for each other still today.” – Bob Goff, Love Does