Quick Tip for Success: Patience

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;

do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

    when they carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7

Wait on the Lord. Isn't that the most common phrase tossed around in the church and among believers? Such a simple phrase, but it's not so simple to live out. Sometimes it can feel as if everyone around you is getting a revelation from God. Everyone around you is moving forward, acing classes, getting their dream job, going on exotic vacations... but you feel stuck. But it's in these times that you should seek his face all the more. This season is preparing you for your next step. Take advantage of this time of preparation and enjoy the season that you are in. Don't focus on other people's timeline to "success." Your journey is specific to you because you were uniquely designed. 

"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8

My portion

"Whom have I in heaven but you?

    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26 

My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart

    and my portion forever" Psalm 73:25-26 (NIV)

In this season of Lent (or any time of fasting), it can be easy to become focused on rules and restrictions. You start to crave the very thing that you're giving up, which can cause you to lose focus. However, Psalm 73 puts it all into perspective.

When I think of the word "portion," I immediately think of food. A portion is an allotment, a serving, it's all that you need to be satisfied, it is ENOUGH. God wants to be our portion. He wants us to be so consumed with Him that we no longer focus on the trivial things of this world. He wants us to be so consumed with his will for our life that we no longer fast out of obligation, but out of a desire to grow closer to Him. 

So when the world starts to look appealing, get to this place: 

"...I’m in the very presence of God—

    oh, how refreshing it is!

I’ve made Lord God my home.

    God, I’m telling the world what you do!" Psalm 73:28 (MSG)

Psalm 130- God's Unfailing Love #SheReadsTruth

This post is also linked on www.shereadstruth.com! :)

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. (Psalm 130:1-2)

Have you ever been there- stressed, overwhelmed, depressed, anxious, worried, [insert other negative emotions here]? Instead of seeking comfort from televisions, relationships, and other distractions, seek Him. Those are the times where God is longing to hear from you. He's longing for you to depend only on him and not your own strength. 

If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. (Psalm 130:3-4)

But we have the audacity to hold grudges. We, mere humans, harden our hearts to those who have wronged us. Meanwhile, The Creator, offers his children an immeasurable amount grace. That grace allows us to continue to serve Him with a pure heart, even after we've messed up. *praise break*

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord  more than watchmen wait for the morning,  more than watchmen wait for the morning. (Psalm 130:5-6)

Waiting is a foreign concept, in today's society. We are not accustomed to waiting for letters, harvest, meals cooked from scratch, or dial up internet :). I actually find myself willing the microwave to speed up cooking popcorn (max 2 minutes)! This concept of waiting is one that has not changed since the beginning of time. But the cool thing about waiting on God is that he'll never be late. He'll never forsake you. Waiting is a time for preparation and expectation. (See 2 Peter 3:9)

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (Psalm 130:7-8)

*drops mic* What commentary needs to be added? The Lord is unfailing. We simply have to trust in him. 

I have been obsessed with this cover since I saw Joe perform it live last year. This song is Psalm 130 in a nutshell. 

Happy Friday!

Lent (Day 2)- Seeking God Diligently

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

God has a divine purpose for your life. Yes, I'm sure you've heard that before, but have you really internalized it? Think about it, the creator of the universe, created you impact the world. You are a world changer. Whether or not you are participating in Lent, you can still seek God diligently. The Word says that those who seek the Lord will find him (Jeremiah 29:13). Set aside time, away from the clutter, away from the hustle and bustle of life and ask Him questions like: 

• What have you created me to be?
• What have you created me to do?
• How can I use my gifts and talents to bring you glory? 
• How can I be a light today? (Matthew 5:16)

You may not have an Apostle Paul moment (Acts 9) where a thunderous voice from heaven tells you all the answers, but He will answer you...in his time. Happy Thursday! 

Lent (Day 1)

“Even now,” declares the Lord,“return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12

Today is the first day of Lent! Yay! I am looking forward to see what God does in your life over these next 46 days. However, we don't fast to "get" anything from God. In fact, fasting is taking our eyes off of earthly distractions to fix our eyes on things eternal. As Matthew 6:16-18 says, fasting is a personal endeavor between you and God. Take this time to earnestly seek the Lord about EVERYTHING. What is his will for your life? How can you serve him?  

If you're having trouble selecting what to fast from, consider the opposite. Maybe you can add something that you've been meaning to, but haven't fully committed to. 

Here are some ideas: 

1. Waking up an hour earlier to spend quiet time with God.
2. Starting a Bible reading plan
3. Committing to praying for a specified time (minimum) per day
4. Turning off the TV/ electronics between the hours of ____ and ____
5. Breaking away from unhealthy/ unproductive relationships
6. Eliminating secular music
7. Censoring television shows/ movies that are not uplifting and encouraging 
8. Committing to a scripture memorization plan

Ultimately, a fast should CHALLENGE you. Whatever you decide to do, should cause you to lean on the Lord for support because it is a SACRIFICE. 

*Note: Lent ends: Thursday, April 17

Distractions

"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." Isaiah 55:11

Spending daily time in the Word isn't the easiest thing, because there are so many distractions. Work, sleep, television shows, entertainment, friendships, and other relationships can interfere with study time. Most often, there is time but we choose not to take advantage of it because we don't feel like studying. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, our emotions are fickle! We can't base our relationship with an unchanging God on our ever changing emotions. Just because you don't feel different after every quiet time, doesn't mean that you aren't changing. Isaiah 55:11 reminds us that His word always produces fruit, it will not return void. As long are you're reading/ studying with a pure heart, you are growing, maturing, and learning. Happy Tuesday! 

Worn Out?

"...Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" Galatians 3:2-3

Have you ever found yourself running on empty? Feeling like you're doing everything in your power but things seem pretty stagnant? *raises hand* I'm definitely guilty. Galatians 3 reminds us that we can't do things in our own strength. We start out trusting God, praying, fasting but over time, we get comfortable. We can feel as if God has given us all the answers; therefore, we continue on and ask God for help when we hit another snag in our plan. Newsflash: God doesn't want to be the last resort! He doesn't want to only be trusted when everything falls apart. He doesn't want to hear from us only when we're fed up and tired. God longs to be first in our lives in every season...even when we feel like we have it all together. Are you intentionally including God in your daily life? Are you sitting at his feet, seeking direction? Happy Monday!